Paragraph Number

244

In certain embodiments, the resection guide 1020b can be designed for a specific patient and/or to address a specific condition. Referring now to FIG. 16B, a technician may begin designing a resection guide 1020b by accessing a model of a patient’s bones based on medical imaging data. Firs, the technician may place or position the model such that the longitudinal axis 1412 (aka the load bearing axis) of the tibia 224 is vertical. Generally, a goal for a correction is to place the talus 228 in line with the longitudinal axis 1412 of the tibia 224. Next, a technician may locate a transition point along a lateral surface the tibia 224 (where the surface transitions to the lateral face). A first resection feature 1022a, or a first side 1108 of a single slot 1052 may be positioned at this location. Next, the technician may measure an angle in the caudal direction or cephalad direction (depending on the preferences of surgeon or needs of the patient. The angle measured is the angle determined from the model to bring the talus 228 in line with the longitudinal axis 1412 of the bone (e.g., tibia 224). The first line of the angle is the first resection feature 1022a that second line of the angle is a second resection feature 1022b. The two resection features 1022 are then positioned in the body 1032 of the resection guide 1020. In certain embodiments, the technician may design an angled hole for a distal bone attachment feature 1060 to direct a fastener 1010 into the bone at the same angle as the angle between the two resection features 1022. In this manner, a surgeon can deploy a K-wire in the hole(s) of the distal bone attachment feature 1060 and visually check the angles in the patient’s bone with medical imaging equipment before resection is started.

Added by DJM Jan 2024