Dave's PCF WIP: Paragraphs

Paragraphs

Actions	Application	Content	Paragraph Number	Notes	Modified
		Content		Paragraph Number	Notes	Any Field
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figure 10A is a perspective view of a pin 158 of the gap gauge 100 of Figure 1A, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The pin 158 may be a cylindrical structure with a longitudinal axis 160. The pin 158 can include a proximal end 1002, a distal end 1004, and a middle 1006. In one embodiment, the proximal end 1002 connects to a balance gauge 168. For example, the proximal end 1002 may include a D-shaped cross section that includes a flat part 1008. In one embodiment, the D-shaped cross-section of the proximal end 1002 may be sized to accept a D-shaped opening in a needle 172 that can be slide over the proximal end 1002 and positioned for a balance indicator 126 and/or a balance gauge 168.	117	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The distal end 1004 may serve as a pivot for a hinge 156 of the gap gauge 100. Alternatively, or in addition, the distal end 1004 may serve as a pivot for the balance indicator 126. The pivot may align with the longitudinal axis 160. In addition, the distal end 1004 and/or the middle 1006 may include one or more keyed sections 1010. In one embodiment, the keyed sections 1010 may be used for the pins 906 to connect the pin 158 to the pivot plate 148.	118	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In one embodiment, the middle 1006 may include a section 1012 that includes a planar surface 1014. The planar surface 1014 of the section 1012 may serve as part of the lock-out mechanism 130. For example in one embodiment, the set screw 908 may bias against the planar surface 1014 of the pin 158 to prevent rotation of the pin 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the section 1012 has a D-shaped cross-section. In one embodiment, the D-shaped cross-section of the section 1012 may be offset 90 degrees from a D-shaped cross-section of the proximal end 1002 that includes the flat part 1008. In one example embodiment, the 90-degree offset enables a needle 172 to register/measure no imbalance when the lock-out mechanism 130 is activated to prevent rotation of the pin 158.	119	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figures 10B and 10C are side views of the pin 158 of Figure 10A, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGURE 10B illustrates and embodiment of a pin 158 that includes a first section 1016 having a larger diameter than a second section 1018.	120	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figures 11A and 11B are perspective views of a lock-out mechanism 130 of a gap gauge 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGURE 11A illustrates the lock-out mechanism 130 when the set screw 908 is in a set configuration. FIGURE 11B illustrates the lock-out mechanism 130 when the set screw 908 is in an unset configuration. As used herein, a "set configuration" refers to an arrangement and/or relationship between a set screw and a pin such that the set screw prevents rotation of the pin about a longitudinal axis of the pin. In the set configuration, the set screw 908 has been advanced within the opening 910 to engage the planar surface 1014 of the section 1012.	121	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	As used herein, an "unset configuration" refers to an arrangement and/or relationship between a set screw and a pin such that the set screw permits rotation of the pin about a longitudinal axis of the pin. In the set configuration, the set screw 908 has been retracted within the opening 910 to disengage the planar surface 1014 of the section 1012.	122	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figure 12 illustrates a flowchart for a method 1200 for measuring a gap and/or balance status between a femur and a tibia of a patient, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In general, the method 1200 may include the use of gap gauge that includes both a separation indicator and a balance indicator 126. In certain embodiments, the gap gauge may also include a balance gauge.	123	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The method 1200 may begin with a step 1210 in which a first plate (e.g., inferior plate 120) and a second plate (e.g., superior plate 118) of a gap gauge may be inserted between a femur and a tibia. In certain embodiments, the gap gauge may be positioned such that a pivot axis of a hinge may be aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of a patient.	124	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Once the gap gauge is positioned, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1220 in which the first plate and second plate are actuated apart such that the first plate contacts a resected surface of the femur and the second plate contacts a resected surface of the tibia.	125	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Once the first plate and second plate have been actuated apart, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1230 in which a separation indicator of the gap gauge may be read to obtain a displacement between the femur and the tibia. Once the displacement has been read, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1240 in which a balance indicator of the gap gauge is read to obtain a balance status between the femur and the tibia.	126	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	A surgeon using the example gap gauge 100 may use the displacement amount and/or the balance status to choose from a set of prosthesis available for an arthroplasty procedure. In one example, a surgeon may choose a different prosthesis than one pre-operatively selected based on the balance status reported/measured by the balance indicator 126 and/or the example balance gauge 168. The different prosthesis may be selected to compensate for the balance status reported/measured by the balance indicator 126 and/or the example balance gauge 168. If a compensating prosthesis is selected, the surgeon may not need to make any changes to the joint 108 to accomplish a desired balance condition.	127	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In another example, if the balance status indicates a varus condition, a first prosthesis may be selected during the procedure. if the balance status indicates a valgus condition, a second prosthesis may be selected during the procedure. Alternatively, or in addition, the displacement and/or balance status may be used by a surgeon to determine whether to do further resection of the femur 102 and/or tibia 104, whether to release one or more of the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament, or take other steps of the arthroplasty procedure in an effort to accomplish a desired outcome for the arthroplasty procedure.	128	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Once the displacement and the balance status has been read, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1250 in which tension applied to the femur and/or the tibia by a medial collateral ligament and/or a lateral collateral ligament is adjusted. Once the tension applied to the femur and/or the tibia is adjusted, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1260 in which the balance indicator of the gap gauge is read to obtain an adjusted balance status between the femur and the tibia in response to adjusting the tension. After reading the adjusted balance, the method 1200 may end with the balance of the joint having the desired balance status.	129	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the method 1200 may proceed to a step in which a tension applied to the femur and the tibia by one or more of a medial collateral ligament and a lateral collateral ligament may be adjusted and the balance indicator of the gap gauge may be read to obtain an adjusted balance status between the femur and the tibia in response to adjusting the tension.	130	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Alternatively, or in addition thereto, once tension applied to the femur and the tibia by one or more of a medial collateral ligament and a lateral collateral ligament is adjusted, the method 1200 may proceed to a step in which one or more of the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament are released while the gap gauge remains between the femur and the tibia and remains actuated.	131	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Those of skill in the art recognize that a valgus condition can exist in the joint 108 illustrated in FIGURE 3 if the superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 rotates about the longitudinal axis 160 in the direction of arrow 166. Such a slant can be caused by various factors, including but not limited to, an angle at which the femur 102 and/or tibia 104 has been sectioned, forces acting on the joint 108 by soft tissue and/or ligaments, and the like. In such an embodiment, a force, or tension, in the joint 108, or movement in direction of arrow 166 by a surface of the femur 102 or tibia 104 is greater than a force, or tension, in the joint 108 or movement in direction of arrow 164 by a surface of the femur 102 or tibia 104.	84	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 1H illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of the gap gauge 100. The rear view shows the superior plate 118, inferior plate 120, separation indicator 124, balance indicator 126, grips 132, handle 134, shaft 140, spring 142, pivot plate 148, and support plate 150. In one embodiment, the inferior plate 120 can be a first plate and the superior plate 118 can be a second plate, or vice versa. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the inferior plate 120 can be a first plate and the pivot plate 148 can be the second plate, or vice versa. In such embodiments, the gap gauge 100 may not include a support plate 150.	69	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 1H illustrates an embodiment of a gap gauge 100 that includes a driver 152 and a fastener 154. The driver 152 serves to actuate the separator 122. The driver 152 can include a circumference having curved slots that facilitate rotating the driver 152. In one embodiment, the driver 152 serves to engage the separator 122 such that a displacement 128 is maintained. As used herein, a "driver" refers to a mechanical piece, component, or structure for imparting motion to another piece, component, or structure. ("driver." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021. Web. 6 Jan. 2021. Modified.) In certain embodiments, a driver can be a wheel configured or connected to other parts such that rotation or motion of the driver causes motion of other interconnected or intercoupled parts of a component, system, apparatus, or device.	70	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The fastener 154 secures the driver 152 to the gap gauge 100. In one embodiment, the fastener 154 is a bolt that screws into the inferior body 138 and permits the driver 152 to rotate freely about the bolt.	71	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 1I illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the gap gauge 100. The front view shows the superior plate 118, inferior plate 120, grips 132, handle 134, shaft 140, spring 142, pivot plate 148, and support plate 150. In one embodiment, the balance indicator connects to a second plate, such as superior plate 118, and the balance indicator includes a hinge 156 that pivotally connects the superior plate 118 to the gap gauge 100. In one embodiment, the hinge 156 connects to the support plate 150.	72	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM

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