Bone positioning and preparing guide systems and methods

What is this patent about?

’805 is related to the field of orthopedic surgery, specifically methods and instruments for correcting bone deformities such as bunions. The invention addresses the clinical need to realign the first metatarsal in multiple planes—including the transverse, sagittal, and frontal planes—to restore proper foot anatomy and facilitate successful joint fusion.

The underlying idea behind ’805 is that a bunion is a complex three-dimensional deformity that requires simultaneous correction of lateral deviation and axial rotation. By applying a controlled force between the first metatarsal and a stable reference point, such as the second metatarsal, the system achieves multi-planar realignment before any bone cuts are made, ensuring that the subsequent joint preparation is perfectly oriented to the corrected anatomy.

The claims of ’805 focus on a surgical method that prioritizes moving the first metatarsal into an anatomically aligned position prior to preparing the bone ends for fusion. This sequence is critical because it allows the surgeon to correct the frontal plane rotation and intermetatarsal angle first, using the bone's natural geometry to guide the alignment before permanently altering the joint surfaces with a cutting guide.

In practice, the invention utilizes a positioning tool that engages the first metatarsal and pushes against the second or third metatarsal to reduce the deformity. Once the desired orientation is achieved and held, a bone preparation guide is secured to the bones. This guide features precise slots that allow a saw to remove a specific amount of bone and cartilage from both the metatarsal base and the medial cuneiform, ensuring the resulting surfaces are perfectly parallel for optimal contact.

This approach differs from prior techniques that often involve making bone cuts first and then attempting to manipulate the fragments into place. By using a joint spacer and a specialized positioning guide, the ’805 system maintains the corrected three-dimensional relationship throughout the preparation phase. This reduces the risk of 'spring-back' and ensures that the final fusion occurs in a position that restores the natural function of the sesamoid bones and the overall foot structure.