US 8088166 B2
A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing device changes the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.
1. An implantable system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint, comprising:
a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint;
a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint; and
an adjustable energy manipulation device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, the adjustable energy manipulation device includes one or more adjustable link assemblies, the energy manipulation device comprises a shaft attached to a first base, an outer component attached to a second base, wherein the shaft translates inside of the outer component, a spring mounted coaxial with the shaft and outer component, the spring and outer component providing no limitation or resistance to extension of the energy manipulating device by translation of the shaft within the outer component;
wherein a lesser amount of energy manipulation occurs as the members defining the joint move from their extension position through greater degrees of flexion.
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9. An implantable system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint, comprising:
a first attachment structure configured to be implanted on a first member of the joint;
a second attachment structure configured to be implanted on a second member of the joint; and
an energy manipulation device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, the energy manipulation device comprises a shaft attached to a first base, an outer component attached to a second base, wherein the shaft translates inside of the outer component, a spring mounted coaxial with the shaft and outer component, the spring and outer component providing no limitation or resistance to extension of the energy manipulation device by translation of the shaft within the outer component;
wherein one or more of the first and second attachment structures are adjustable to alter the character of energy manipulation provided by the system and wherein a lesser amount of energy manipulation occurs as the members defining the joint move from their extension position through greater degrees of flexion.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/743,097, filed May 1, 2007, a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/743,605, filed May 2, 2007, a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/775,139, filed Jul. 9, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,540, a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/775,149, filed Jul. 9, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,041 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/775,145, filed Jul. 9, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,678,147, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Joint replacement is one of the most common and successful operations in modern orthopaedic surgery. It consists of replacing painful, arthritic, worn or diseased parts of a joint with artificial surfaces shaped in such a way as to allow joint movement. Osteoarthritis is a common diagnosis leading to joint replacement. Such procedures are a last resort treatment as they are highly invasive and require substantial periods of recovery. Total joint replacement, also known as total joint arthroplasty, is a procedure in which all articular surfaces at a joint are replaced. This contrasts with hemiarthroplasty (half arthroplasty) in which only one bone's articular surface at a joint is replaced and unincompartmental arthroplasty in which the articular surfaces of only one of multiple compartments at a joint (such as the surfaces of the thigh and shin bones on just the inner side or just the outer side at the knee) are replaced. Arthroplasty as a general term, is an orthopaedic procedure which surgically alters the natural joint in some way. This includes procedures in which the arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with something else, procedures which are undertaken to reshape or realigning the joint by osteotomy or some other procedure. As with joint replacement, these other arthroplasty procedures are also characterized by relatively long recovery times and their highly invasive procedures. A previously popular form of arthroplasty was interpositional arthroplasty in which the joint was surgically altered by insertion of some other tissue like skin, muscle or tendon within the articular space to keep inflammatory surfaces apart. Another previously done arthroplasty was excisional arthroplasty in which articular surfaces were removed leaving scar tissue to fill in the gap. Among other types of arthroplasty are resection(al) arthroplasty, resurfacing arthroplasty, mold arthroplasty, cup arthroplasty, silicone replacement arthroplasty, and osteotomy to affect joint alignment or restore or modify joint congruity. When it is successful, arthroplasty results in new joint surfaces which serve the same function in the joint as did the surfaces that were removed. Any chondrocytes (cells that control the creation and maintenance of articular joint surfaces), however, are either removed as part of the arthroplasty, or left to contend with the resulting joint anatomy. Because of this, none of these currently available therapies are chondro-protective.
A widely-applied type of osteotomy is one in which bones are surgically cut to improve alignment. A misalignment due to injury or disease in a joint relative to the direction of load can result in an imbalance of forces and pain in the affected joint. The goal of osteotomy is to surgically re-align the bones at a joint and thereby relieve pain by equalizing forces across the joint. This can also increase the lifespan of the joint. When addressing osteoarthritis in the knee joint, this procedure involves surgical re-alignment of the joint by cutting and reattaching part of one of the bones at the knee to change the joint alignment, and this procedure is often used in younger, more active or heavier patients. Most often, high tibial osteotomy (HTO) (the surgical re-alignment of the upper end of the shin bone (tibia) to address knee malalignment) is the osteotomy procedure done to address osteoarthritis and it often results in a decrease in pain and improved function. However, HTO does not address ligamentous instability—only mechanical alignment. HTO is associated with good early results, but results deteriorate over time.
Other approaches to treating osteoarthritis involve an analysis of loads which exist at a joint. Both cartilage and bone are living tissues that respond and adapt to the loads they experience. Within a nominal range of loading, bone and cartilage remain healthy and viable. If the load falls below the nominal range for extended periods of time, bone and cartilage can become softer and weaker (atrophy). If the load rises above the nominal level for extended periods of time, bone can become stiffer and stronger (hypertrophy). Finally, if the load rises too high, then abrupt failure of bone, cartilage and other tissues can result. Accordingly, it has been concluded that the treatment of osteoarthritis and other bone and cartilage conditions is severely hampered when a surgeon is not able to precisely control and prescribe the levels of joint load. Furthermore, bone healing research has shown that some mechanical stimulation can enhance the healing response and it is likely that the optimum regime for a cartilage/bone graft or construct will involve different levels of load over time, e.g. during a particular treatment schedule. Thus, there is a need for devices which facilitate the control of load on a joint undergoing treatment or therapy, to thereby enable use of the joint within a healthy loading zone.
Certain other approaches to treating osteoarthritis contemplate external devices such as braces or fixators which attempt to control the motion of the bones at a joint or apply cross-loads at a joint to shift load from one side of the joint to the other. A number of these approaches have had some success in alleviating pain but have ultimately been unsuccessful due to lack of patient compliance or the inability of the devices to facilitate and support the natural motion and function of the diseased joint. The loads acting at any given joint and the motions of the bones at that joint are unique to the body that the joint is a part of. For this reason, any proposed treatment based on those loads and motions must account for this variability to be universally successful. The mechanical approaches to treating osteoarthritis have not taken this into account and have consequently had limited success.
Prior approaches to treating osteoarthritis have also failed to account for all of the basic functions of the various structures of a joint in combination with its unique movement. In addition to addressing the loads and motions at a joint, an ultimately successful approach must also acknowledge the dampening and energy absorption functions of the anatomy, and be implantable via a minimally invasive technique. Prior devices designed to reduce the load transferred by the natural joint typically incorporate relatively rigid constructs that are incompressible. Mechanical energy (E) is the action of a force (F) through a distance (s) (i.e., E=Fxs). Device constructs which are relatively rigid do not allow substantial energy storage as the forces acting on them do not produce substantial deformations—do not act through substantial distances—within them. For these relatively rigid constructs, energy is transferred rather than stored or absorbed relative to a joint. By contrast, the natural joint is a construct comprised of elements of different compliance characteristics such as bone, cartilage, synovial fluid, muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. as described above. These dynamic elements include relatively compliant ones (ligaments, tendons, fluid, cartilage) which allow for substantial energy absorption and storage, and relatively stiffer ones (bone) that allow for efficient energy transfer. The cartilage in a joint compresses under applied force and the resultant force displacement product represents the energy absorbed by cartilage. The fluid content of cartilage also acts to stiffen its response to load applied quickly and dampen its response to loads applied slowly. In this way, cartilage acts to absorb and store, as well as to dissipate energy.
With the foregoing applications in mind, it has been found to be necessary to develop effective structures for mounting to body anatomy. Such structures should conform to body anatomy and cooperate with body anatomy to achieve desired load reduction, energy absorption, energy storage, and energy transfer. These structures should include mounting means for attachment of complementary structures across articulating joints.
For these implant structures to function optimally, they must not cause an adverse disturbance to joint motion. Therefore, what is needed is an approach which addresses both joint movement and varying loads as well as complements underlying or adjacent anatomy.
Briefly and in general terms, the present disclosure is directed towards treating diseased or mal-aligned body joints, typically affected by osteoarthritis, using an adjustable energy absorbing device without limiting the range of motion of the patient's articulating joint. The devices of the present invention accomplish one or more of: absorbing energy during normal gait, reducing load on at least a portion of the natural joint, load transferring or bypassing, energy cushioning, and load sharing or redistribution. In addition, both energy dampening and shock absorption are considered in effecting such load manipulations. Further, the particular anatomy of a patient is considered in the contemplated approaches in that loads on desired portions of anatomy are manipulated without overloading healthy surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention adds an energy absorber to the joint to reduce energy transferred through the natural joint. One embodiment includes a system for manipulating or absorbing energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing or absorption device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing or absorption device alters the load manipulating or absorbing function of the device. This system may be used to treat a knee joint, or other joint, affected with osteoarthritis and variable amounts of energy absorbing or absorption occurs while the members follow the path of motion of the joint.
The device can be intraoperatively or post-operatively adjusted. For example, the device can be adjusted post-operatively as further or less load manipulation becomes necessary. Moreover, the device can be activated and adjusted to absorb energy to desired degree or can be deactivated so that no energy absorbing occurs such as just subsequent to implantation. In this way, a natural healing process where tissue and bone at the interventional site grows over the implanted structure helps in fixation of the structure prior to activating its load manipulating capabilities. Various approaches are contemplated to accomplish adjustment through a patient's skin. In this regard, components of the device are translated to achieve desired load manipulating as well as to prohibit accidental adjustments of the device. Moreover, feedback systems are incorporated into the device to both indicate translation during adjustment as well as locking and unlocking adjustable components. Such feedback can come in the form of sound or proprioperception.
In one embodiment, the implantable system may include a dual spring energy absorbing device. Still in another embodiment, the system may include a single spring energy absorbing device. In either embodiment, adjusting the compression of the springs/spring alters the character of the load the energy absorption system manipulates in response to articulation of members to which it is attached. The load manipulating profile the system provides may be adjusted during surgery when the energy absorption system is implanted onto a joint, or after a patient has recovered from surgery. Adjustment of the load manipulating characteristics may be performed multiple times as needs and circumstances surrounding the patient change over time. Alternatively, the amount of load the system can manipulate may be adjusted by replacing the springs/spring of the device with springs/spring having a different measure of stiffness.
In other approaches, adjustment is provided by selectively positioning mounts to which absorbers are attached. Moreover, in certain embodiments, adjustment can be provided by adjusting link ends in combination with or to the exclusion of adjusting springs forming the load bearing structure. Adjusting a point of translatable components of a link such that the link does not carry loads beyond a predetermined amount and the natural joint carries the load above that amount is also contemplated so as to control forces being transferred to the bases of an energy absorbing device. Such bases can be made of flexible material for absorbing forces. Additionally, desired adjustment can be achieved through mechanical aspects of a machined spring itself.
In one embodiment of the energy absorbing system, the adjustable energy absorbing device includes an arbor shaft and an adjustable assembly or a collar slidably attached to the arbor shaft. The arbor shaft may be connected to an arbor having an arbor base. The assembly or collar is configured to translate along a portion of the length of the arbor shaft and lock into a position on the shaft. In certain embodiments, the collar may be a split collar, spring loaded collar, a twist and pull locking collar, stop collar, “Grip Fast” collar, or any other collar that can be configured to lock and unlock along a shaft. The assembly or collar may also be any collar configured to translate over threads of the arbor shaft. The adjustable energy absorbing device may also include a piston shaft that slides within a lumen of the arbor shaft. The lumen can pass completely through the arbor base to provide structure suited to avoid the piston from locking up with the arbor shaft. The piston shaft includes a piston that is connected to a base of the piston arbor.
In one embodiment, the adjustable energy absorbing device includes a compression spring disposed over the arbor shaft between the collar and the piston base. Adjusting the position of the collar over the arbor shaft changes the compression of the compression spring, thereby changing a load manipulating profile of the energy absorbing system. In a dual spring embodiment the adjustable energy absorbing device includes a first spring and a second spring disposed over a first arbor shaft and a second arbor shaft, respectively.
In another embodiment, the energy absorbing device may include a spring stop or assembly that is free floating along an arbor shaft between a stationary arbor base and a compression spring. The compression spring is disposed over the arbor shaft between the spring stop or assembly and a piston base. The piston base includes a piston that slides within a lumen of the arbor shaft. To adjust the load manipulating characteristics of the system in this embodiment, the device includes a plurality of shims attached to the arbor base on a pivot disposed adjacent to the spring stop. The shims are configured to be individually rotated and slid in between the arbor base and the spring stop or assembly to move the spring stop or assembly along the arbor shaft towards the piston base, thereby increasing the compression of the spring when a load is applied to the spring. Shims may also be rotated and slid out from between the arbor base and the spring stop or assembly, thereby decreasing the compression of the spring when a load is applied to the spring.
Yet another embodiment of an energy absorbing device includes an arbor having a first shaft and a second shaft, the first and second shafts each having a lumen extending at least partially through each of the first and second shafts. A collar is slidably engaged to the first and second shafts, and the collar is configured to lock into a position along the lengths of the first and second shafts. There is also a piston base having a first piston and a second piston extending from the piston base, with the first and second pistons configured to slide within the lumens of the first and second arbor shafts, respectively. Again, the anchor base can be equipped with through holes in communication with the lumen which received the piston shafts. A first spring is disposed over the first arbor shaft between the collar and the piston base arbor, and a second spring is disposed over the second arbor shaft between the collar and the piston base. Adjusting the position of the collar over the first and second arbor shafts changes the compression of the first and second springs, which alters the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.
In one embodiment, the collar of the energy absorbing device may include an adjustment core and an adjustment block being arranged to slidingly engage together. Sliding the adjustment core and adjustment block towards each other unlocks the collar from the first and second arbor shafts. The adjustment core and adjustment block each include an arm extending towards the piston base. In one embodiment, the piston base may include a first piston wall and a second piston wall that extend towards the arbor base, and are configured to slide along the arms of the adjustment core and adjustment block, respectively. Still in another embodiment, the arms of the adjustment core and adjustment block each include a tooth, and the first and second piston walls of the piston arbor include a slot that engage the teeth of the arms to connect the piston walls with the collar.
One embodiment of a method for treating a joint includes attaching a first attachment structure to a first member of the joint and attaching a second attachment structure to a second member of the joint. An energy absorbing device is then attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, and the character of load manipulating of the energy absorbing device is adjusted to meet the needs of the patient. In treating a knee joint, the device can be implanted extra-capsular and/or to variably change knee kinematics.
In one embodiment, adjusting the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device as a function of the movement of members defining a joint involves translating a collar or assembly over an arbor shaft of the energy absorbing device to change the compression of a spring disposed over the shaft when a load is applied to the spring. The method of adjusting the energy absorbing device may also include removing any load from the spring before translating the collar over the shaft. Load may be removed from the spring by flexing the joint with the system attached to the members of the joint. A load will generally be applied to the spring when the joint is extended. In certain embodiments, adjusting the energy absorbing device may include inserting a tool into the collar or assembly to unlock the collar or assembly, thereby allowing the collar or assembly to translate over the shaft. In other embodiments, the collar or assembly can be unlocked by squeezing or pushing arms or wings associated with the collar or assembly to overcome a spring biasing force that locks the collar or assembly onto the shaft. Once the desired load capability of the device is set by adjusting the absorber or the spring, the collar or assembly is then locked into position along the length of the shaft.
Adjustments may be done through or over the skin of a patient. In some embodiments, an audible sound such as a click is created by the collar or adjustment assembly when it is unlocked or locked to provide feedback to the physician. Also, audible sounds or tactile feedback can be provided to the physician as the collar or adjustment assembly is translated along the length of the shaft. Such feedback can be incorporated both into unlocking the energy absorbing device as well as for translating components of the device to new positions. Structure can be further incorporated into the implanted system to prevent accidental unlocking and/or translation as well as to facilitate translation through the skin. In the latter regard, the motion or placement of members defining the target joint and secondary structures such as a secondary compression spring can be utilized.
Other features of the energy absorbing system and device will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings, which are provided by way of example and not limitation, the disclosed embodiments are directed towards apparatus and methods for treating the knee joint. However, these embodiments may also be used in treating other body joints, and to alleviate pain associated with the function of diseased or misaligned members forming a body joint without limiting the range of motion of the joint. The embodiments described below relate to apparatuses and methods for adjusting the amount of load an energy absorbing device can manipulate. Some embodiments include an energy absorbing device including a dual spring member and other embodiments include the use of a single spring member.
Certain of the embodiments include energy absorbing devices designed to minimize and complement the dampening effect and energy absorption provided by the anatomy of the body, such as that found at a body joint. It has been postulated that to minimize pain, load manipulation or absorption of 1-40% of forces, in varying degrees, may be necessary. Variable load manipulation or energy absorption in the range of 5-20% can be a target for certain applications.
In body anatomy incorporating energy absorbing systems as described below, less forces are transferred to the bones and cartilage of the members defining the joint, and a degree of the forces between body members is absorbed by the energy absorbing system. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing system can be initially configured to eliminate, variably reduce or manipulate loads to a desired degree, and to be later adjusted or altered as patient needs are better determined or change.
In applications to the knee joint, the energy absorbing system can be designed to absorb medial compartment loads in a manner that completely preserves the articulating joint and capsular structures. One embodiment of the present invention is load bypassing knee support system comprised of a kinematic load absorber, two contoured base components and a set of bone screws. The implanted system is both extra articular and extra capsular and resides in the subcutaneous tissue on the medial (or lateral) aspect of the knee. The device is inserted through two small incisions above the medial femoral and tibial condyles. The base components are fixed to the medial cortices of the femur and tibia using bone screws. The energy absorber having a spring value of about twenty pounds can provide therapeutic benefit for patients of 275 pounds or less. Higher spring forces would provide greater reduction in joint load and may correlate to greater symptom (i.e., pain) relief.
It has been recognized that knee forces have multiple components. There are a quadriceps force FQ and a ground reaction force FG directed generally longitudinally along a leg and there are lateral compartment forces FL and medial compartment forces FM. There is, however, no conventional clinical measure of FM or FL. On the other hand, there are non-axial knee forces which result in a moment being applied across the joint referred to as a knee adduction moment. The knee adduction moment (KAM) can be measured clinically. The measurements are useful as KAM can be considered to be a clinical surrogate measure for knee forces.
It has been further observed that a high knee adduction moment correlates with pain. That is, it would be expected that a group of people with diseased joints having lower KAM may not have pain whereas individuals with a relatively higher KAM would experience pain. Thus, an active reduction of knee adduction moment can reduce pain. The system of the present invention reduces the KAM of the patient.
It has also been found that a medial compartment of a knee of an average person with osteoarthritis can benefit from an absorber set for compression between 1 mm and 10 mm, and preferably 3-6 mm with a spring or absorber element that accommodates a range from 20-60 pounds. In a preferred embodiment, the absorber is set for about 4 mm of such compression and a pre-determined load of about 40 pounds.
In each of the disclosed embodiments, various features can be incorporated from other of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, audible and textile feedback sub-systems can be incorporated in the disclosed embodiments to both indicate translation of load adjustment structure as well as to exhibit locking and unlocking of subcomponents. Moreover, each of the contemplated embodiments can include springs machined to provide desirable energy absorbing which varies as the spring is compressed during various degrees of flexion and extension of joint markers to which the energy absorbing device is attached. The term “spring” is used throughout the description but it is contemplated to include other energy absorbing and compliant structures can be used to accomplish the functions of the invention as described in more detail below. Additionally, any of the various disclosed approaches to achieving adjustment through a patient's skin, either through direct engagement with the energy absorbing device with a tool or by applying forces to the device through the surface of the skin can be incorporated to fill a perceived need.
In certain situations, it has been found to be a benefit to implant the energy absorbing device in an inactivated condition, only later taking steps, perhaps several weeks later, to place the device into an activated state. In this way, the device can become further affixed to bone as the bone and surrounding tissue grows over portions of the device. Accordingly, each of the disclosed embodiments can be so implanted and later activated and adjusted through a patient's skin.
Further, various approaches to adjusting the energy absorbing device are contemplated and disclosed below. That is, various approaches to adjusting structure between piston and arbor structure as well as adjusting mounts to which the piston and arbor structures are configured to engage are disclosed. In the former regard, adjustable collars and adjustable link ends are contemplated approaches.
Referring now to
Still referring to
During flexion and extension of the knee joint, piston shafts 126 (not shown) of the piston base slide within arbor shafts (See
The energy absorbing system has the capacity to absorb energy in addition to transfer energy from the joint. The energy absorption of the dual or single spring can be expressed as the product of force and displacement. Although actual springs are used to show various embodiments, these elements could also be substituted with a material or other device with spring-like characteristics (e.g., an elastomeric member). Such elastomers include thermoplastic polyurethanes such as Tecoflex, Tecothane, Tecoplast, Carbothene, Chronthane and ChronoFlex (grades AR, C, AL) which also could be employed as a dampener. Moreover, materials such as Pebax, C-flex, Pellathane and silicone and silicone foam can also be employed.
In other embodiments, the energy absorbing device may include dampening devices such as dash pots. In these embodiments, the spring element is a storage or absorber device while the dashpot acts to dissipate the energy. Such embodiments or other structure defining a shock absorber which alter the velocity of displacement of the spring can be employed to thereby alter the energy absorption behavior. Although more traditional dampening devices may be used with the energy absorbing device, these elements could also be substituted with a material or other device with dampening characteristics (e.g., a small pore sponge).
For one embodiment of system 100, a pre-operative session is performed to assess the need at a joint and to map the articulation of the members 106 and 108 forming the joint. Attachment sites are also assessed pre-operatively. During surgical intervention, a first center of rotation location is identified along the first member of a joint. Next, access is gained to an area proximate the first center of rotation location and the first base component 102 is fixed upon the first member in a manner maintaining use of the first center of rotation location. A second rotation location is then identified along the second member of a joint and surgical access is obtained proximate the second rotation location. Subsequently, the second base component 104 is fixed along the second member while maintaining use of the second rotation location. A subcutaneous channel is created between the first center of rotation and second rotation locations and the energy absorbing device 110 is inserted within the channel. The energy absorber is thereafter mounted to the bases. A tissue barrier, such as a sheath, may be placed about the energy absorber to protect joint anatomy or exclude the device from surrounding tissue. The connection of the absorber 110 to the bases 102 and 104 through attachable/detachable mounts 118 and 120 provides a method for good attachment of the base to the bone and a more simple surgical technique for installing the absorber. It also allows a sheath and/or the wear components of the absorber/mount assembly to be removeable and/or replaceable without removing or replacing the base components. It further allows the wear components of the absorber/mount assembly and the base components to be different materials. For example, the base components can be titanium or titanium alloy which promote osteo-integration and the wear components can be much harder materials such as cobalt chrome (e.g., Biodur CCM Plus), ceramic, or other durable materials that produce a minimal amount of particulate material or, if particulate material is generated, the smallest size of particulate material.
In a contemplated method, the energy absorbing device 110 can be initially configured to eliminate or reduce loads to a desired degree, and to be later adjusted or altered as patient needs are better determined or change. Accordingly, post-operative alterations are contemplated as are adjustments resulting from changing the diameter of a dampening component or a spring rate of a device. In this regard, it is also contemplated there be no initial or load manipulation until the interventional site heals and the device is firmly implanted or during an initial treatment episode to substantially reduce the effects and pain associated with a patient afflicted with osteoarthritis for a long time. The device can provide distraction forces and carry all of the load to an extent that the joint surfaces do not experience load when the joint is fully load bearing. This distraction can continue for up to three months (or preferably two months) and then later the device can be adjusted to accomplish energy absorption without distraction. Moreover, as needs change, the method can involve removal or replacement of one or more components of the energy absorbing assembly. Further, various degrees of non-invasive approaches can be employed as is practical for a given interventional procedure. Additional details and other embodiments of an energy absorbing system and method of implantation are shown and described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/775,149, which has already been incorporated by reference.
Turning now to
In a second approach (See
In these embodiments, moving the spring biased collar assembly 132 proximally towards the first base component 102 changes the stored potential energy in the spring 112. If it is determined during or any time after surgery that the energy absorbing system should be adjusted, the collar/piston assembly is moved distally towards the first base component 102 to further compress the spring between the collar assembly and the piston base 114.
Another embodiment of adjusting the energy absorbing device 110 is shown in
Another embodiment for adjusting the energy absorbing device 110 is shown in
To position the split collar 150 into an open configuration, a user inserts a tool into the grommet 168 and presses downward overcoming the biasing force of the spring 160 and moving the bottom portion 154 away from the top portion 152 as shown in
Other embodiments are shown in
In one embodiment for adjusting the energy absorbing device 110 that is attached to a knee joint, the knee starts out in an extended position. The knee is then flexed to remove any load from the springs 112. After removing the load from springs, the adjustment is made to the energy absorbing device as described above in relation to each different embodiment. Typically, the adjustment can be made over or through the skin of the patient. In one approach, the teeth on the collar locks can support up to about sixty-five pounds of pressure before yielding.
Another embodiment of a locking collar 180 is shown in
An embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in
Another embodiment of a locking collar 210 is shown in
Another embodiment of a locking collar 240 is shown in
Yet another embodiment of a stop collar 250 is shown in
Next, as shown in
With the stop collar 270 still in the unlocked configuration, the leg is now flexed to a desired angle, and the shafts 290 extend away from the stop collar as shown in
An embodiment of the energy absorbing device 110 shown in
Any of the dual spring embodiments discussed above can be covered by a sheath 330 as shown in
Referring now to
To adjust the load manipulation profile of the energy absorbing device 350, a tool, such as a needle or other instrument, is inserted into the most proximal top hole 376 to activate the most proximal shim 370. An end of the instrument inserted through the top holes will push against a first edge 380 of the shim and rotate the shim on the post 372 so that the shim slides inbetween the proximal end 366 of the spring stop 364 and the base of the arbor base 354. This pushes the spring stop distally and thereby compresses the spring 352 that is abutted against the distal end 368 of the spring stop.
Another embodiment of an energy absorbing device 350 a is shown in
Another embodiment of an energy absorbing device 350 b is shown in
Referring now to
Another embodiment of an energy absorbing device 430 is shown in
Other forms of links can be used in the energy absorbing system 100 to absorb any load placed on the system. As shown in
Yet another approach of a link 490 is shown in
Another embodiment of a link 510 is shown in
Referring now to
Another embodiment of a link 570 is shown in
An energy absorbing device 600 incorporating a push down mechanism for unlocking a load adjustment mechanism is depicted in
Each of the plates 610 also include a curved center slot 620, adjacent plates 610 having oppositely curved center slots 620. The slots 620 are configured to receive the bar arm 608 of the pivotable switch 606, which extends generally perpendicularly through the plates 606.
Upon depression of the switch 606 an audible or tactile feedback can indicate the unlocking of the plates 610 from their engagement with the arbor shafts 614. That is, in a first position, the bar arm 608 of the switch 606 can lock the plates 610 within the teeth 616 of the arbor shafts 614. Once the switch 60 is depressed and caused to pivot, the bar arm 608 moves within the center curved slots 620 of the plates 610, thereby allowing relative lateral movement of the plates to occur. The lateral movement results in disengaging the plates from the arbor shafts 614 to an extent allowing the translation of the plates along the arbor shafts 614. By doing so, the operating length of the compression springs 622 can be altered to thereby adjust the range of the load and energy absorbing capabilities of the energy absorbing device 600. It is further contemplated that a tactile or audible click be induced as the plates 610 are moved along the arbor shafts 614. The switch 606 can then be depressed again to once again lock the plates 610 relative to the arbor shafts 614.
In a related approach, as shown in
Upon depression of switch 632, the engagement between its terminal end portion 642 and the bar arm 634 of the plate 636 is relieved. This action allows the plates 636, 638 to slide laterally with respect to each other and out of a locking engagement with the arbor shaft 644. At this stage the plates 636, 638 can be moved longitudinally along the arbor shafts to thereby adjust the range of the load manipulation capabilities of the compression springs 650. The switch can then be depressed again, or alternatively simply released depending upon the particular configuration of the switch, to lock both the plates 636, 638 in position. This locking and unlocking action can again be associated with a feedback mechanism to alert the operator of status.
Turning now to
Referring now to
The energy absorbing device 680 also includes a piston base 696 including a center extension 697 configured between the springs 688. At an opposite side of the device 680 and adjacent the arbor base 697 there is positioned a center extension 698.
Pivotably attached to the center extension 698 is a switch 700 assembly. As best seen in
In use, the switch assembly 700 operates to retain the U-spring 703 in an orthogonal position through its engagement with the adjustment plates 682, 684. The U-spring 703 in turn locks the adjustment plates 686, 684 against the arbor shafts 690 and within its teeth 694. Upon depression of the switch 700, the extension 702 disengages from the U-spring 703 thereby permitting the U-spring to be bent and thus, unlocking the device. Next, the curved wings 686 of the adjustment plates 682, 684 can be depressed to disengage the plates from the teeth 694 of the arbor shafts 690 so that translation of adjustment components is possible. As previously described, such translation results in altering when the compression springs will manipulate loads. The wings 686 are then released to set the longitudinal position of the plates on the arbor shaft. After desired adjustment is accomplished, the switch can be re-seated to thereby again lock the plates 682, 684 in position.
An approach to an energy absorbing device 710 including a spring loaded spacer assembly 712 is shown in
In an approach which relates to the immediately preceding device, rather than a pin, the energy absorbing device 730 can include a lever 732 which is accessible through a compressible dome 734. In this regard, the lever 732 can be held in an inactive state by pins or suture (not shown) after implantation during a time when natural bone and tissue can grow over the energy absorbing device 730 to aid in its fixation at an interventional site. Such pins or sutures can subsequently be removed to activate the device so that desired energy absorbing is accomplished. Structure holding an energy absorbing device in an inactive state can be incorporated into any one of the devices disclosed herein. In the present embodiment, when in an inactive state, the device 730 can be made to move through a normal range of motion with the only force being applied by the device 730 would be that generated by springs 735 of an adjustable spacer assembly 736.
Once the lever 732 is permitted to operate without constraint (such as by removing the sutures or pins), an operator can cause the lever 732 to pivot by applying a force through the dome 734. In its rotated position, the lever 732 which is pivotably supported by a spacer 738, causes the nut 740 housed within the spacer 738 to translate longitudinally away from the arbor base 742. The spacers 736 translate longitudinally with the translation of the nut to thereby bring the compression springs 724 into the load manipulating capabilities of the device 730.
Moreover, whereas the adjustment assembly can include all of the structures necessary to cooperate with the anchor shaft 762, a contemplated alternative approach is to break the assembly into further sub-components. In this regard reference is made to
Turning now to
One form of a link assembly 790 can incorporate structure permitting intra-operative or post-operative activation or adjustment (See
It has also been contemplated that an implantable sensor unit can be configured at an interventional site to detect and keep track of indicators associated with changes in tissue density. One approach is described in WO 2007/098385, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. The implantable sensor unit can be configured for wireless communication with an external device and the external device can also be configured for wireless communication with the implantable sensor unit. In particular, the external device is adapted for retrieving, storing, and displaying, in human intelligible form, the tissue density data detected by the implantable sensor unit. The implantable sensor can additionally be affixed to bone of the skeletal system such that it may monitor the bone, adjacent soft tissues, such as muscles, nerves and connective tissues. The sensor may be within or integral to an artificial implant attached to the skeletal system, attached to an artificial implant, adjacent to an artificial implant, or any combination of these locations.
The implantable sensor can include a sensor, a signal processor, a memory unit, a telemetry circuit, and a power source. The sensor can be an acoustic transducer responsive to acoustic signals transmitted through human tissue. Further, it is fully contemplated that the sensor may include other electronics and components adapted for monitoring indicators of changes in tissue structure including deterioration and/or healing. The disclosed sensor has applications throughout the skeletal system including the hip, knee, ankle, elbow and jaw joints and load bearing bones such as the skull and long bones. Such disclosed sensors are useful to evaluate tissue properties and detect changes to tissue in the skeletal system. The sensor also has a particular application with respect to detecting changes in bone density as it relates to osteoporosis and the sensor can detect tissue density changes with respect to tissue around fixation implants, joint implants, or any other type of implant. Moreover, an acoustic sensor may also be used to detect changes in viscosity. Thus, the sensor may be utilized to listen for changes in bodily systems and organs and alert healthcare professionals to any impending or potential problems.
Accordingly, a number of embodiments are described above for adjusting the amount of load an energy absorbing device can manipulate to help reduce pain in a patient. These embodiments can be used in any energy absorbing system for use throughout the body but have clear applications to articulating body structures such as joints. Moreover, features and structures of certain of the disclosed embodiments can be incorporated into other disclosed embodiments by replacing structure or complementing structure.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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