Tarsal-Metatarsal Joint Procedure Utilizing Fulcrum

What is this patent about?

’428 is related to the field of surgical instruments and techniques for correcting bone deformities, specifically bunions. Bunions are misalignments of the bones in the foot, often involving the first metatarsal. Surgical intervention aims to realign these bones to alleviate pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Current surgical methods can be complex and may not always achieve optimal alignment in all planes.

The underlying idea behind ’428 is to use a combination of instruments and techniques to achieve a more precise and controlled correction of bunion deformities. This involves using an instrument, such as a fulcrum , inserted between the first and second metatarsals to act as a pivot point during realignment. Bone preparation guides and positioning guides are used to ensure accurate bone cuts and controlled movement of the first metatarsal in multiple planes.

The claims of ’428 focus on instrumented surgical techniques for treating bunion deformities. These techniques involve inserting an instrument (e.g., a fulcrum) between the first and second metatarsals, cutting the end of the first metatarsal and the opposing end of the medial cuneiform, moving the first metatarsal in at least one plane to correct the deformity, and then fixating the corrected position of the first metatarsal relative to the medial cuneiform using bone fixation devices. Some claims specify the use of a bone preparation guide with a cutting slot and a bone positioning guide to move the first metatarsal in the transverse plane.

In practice, the surgeon first mobilizes the joint and then inserts the fulcrum between the metatarsals. A bone preparation guide is positioned, and the ends of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform are cut to prepare them for fusion. The surgeon then uses the fulcrum as a pivot point to move the first metatarsal into the correct alignment, correcting both the intermetatarsal angle and any rotational deformity. The bone positioning guide assists in controlling this movement, and fixation pins may be used to temporarily hold the bones in place.

This approach differs from prior methods by providing a more controlled and precise way to realign the bones. The fulcrum helps to prevent base compression and lateral translation of the metatarsal, while the bone preparation guide ensures accurate bone cuts. The bone positioning guide allows for controlled movement of the first metatarsal in multiple planes, leading to a more anatomically correct and stable correction of the bunion deformity. The combination of these instruments and techniques aims to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence.