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A user may adjust the displacement 128. A user may separate the superior plate 118 and the inferior plate 120 by manually pulling them apart and/or the user may use the separator 122 to separate the superior plate 118 and the inferior plate 120. A user may bring the superior plate 118 and the inferior plate 120 together by manually positioning them and/or the user may use the separator 122 to bring the superior plate 118 and the inferior plate 120 together. |
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As used herein, a "displacement" refers to a vector that measures how much a structure, member, object, component, or part has moved, changed position, from a starting position to an ending position, or measures the distance between two objects. Displacement can be measured using a variety of units of measure including imperial units, metric units, angular units and the like. In certain embodiments, the displacement is measured in millimeters. In one embodiment, the displacement 128 may range from zero to twenty-five or more millimeters. |
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In one embodiment, the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 have a structural integrity that permits them to be positioned, (e.g., inserted) between a femur 102 and a tibia 104. When initially positioned between two bones, the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 may contact each other as illustrated in FIGURE 1A. Once positioned between two bones, a user may move the superior plate 118 relative to the inferior plate 120 which adjusts a displacement 128 between the superior plate 118 and the inferior plate 120. When the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 contact each other, the displacement 128 may be zero. In one embodiment, the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 may be displaced from each other by a displacement 128 when the gap gauge 100 is initially manufactured/assembled. |
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The superior plate 118 can be positioned opposite the inferior plate 120. The superior plate 118 can be positioned in contact with a first bone (e.g., a femur 102). The inferior plate 120 can be positioned in contact with a second bone (e.g., a tibia 104). The superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 can be parallel to each other and cooperate to slide into an opening or gap. |
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In one embodiment, the superior plate 118 is a plate. As used herein, a "plate" refers to a flat structure or a generally flat structure. In certain embodiments, a plate can be configured to support a load. In certain embodiments, a plate may comprise a generally planar structure. A plate can be a separate structure connected to, or integrated with, another structure. Alternatively, a plate can be connected to part of another structure. A plate can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and can have a variety of geometric shapes and/or cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to a rectangle, a square, or other polygon, as well as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid, or other circular or semi-circular shape. A plate can be made from a variety of materials including, metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, or the like. The inferior plate 120 can also be a plate. |
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Figure 1B is a perspective view of the gap gauge 100 of Figure 1A. Figure 1B illustrates the gap gauge 100 without a first bone or second bone shown. The gap gauge 100 may generally include a first plate, a second plate, a separator, a separation indicator, and a balance indicator. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plate may be a superior plate 118 and the second plate may be an inferior plate 120. The illustrated gap gauge 100 also includes a separator 122, a separation indicator 124, and a balance indicator 126. |
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In the illustrated embodiment, the gap gauge 100 may include a superior plate 118 that includes a pivot plate 148 and a support plate 150. The pivot plate 148 can be connected, or coupled, to the support plate 150 such that the pivot plate 148 can serve as a balance indicator 126. In one embodiment, the pivot plate 148 can pivot about the anterior-posterior axis 116 relative to the support plate 150. As used herein, a "support plate" refers to a plate structured, organized, configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to support a load. |
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FIGURE 1I includes a front view of one embodiment of a balance indicator 126. In such an embodiment, the superior plate 118 can include a pivot plate 148 coupled to the gap gauge 100 by the hinge 156. In certain embodiments, the hinge 156 may serve both as a hinge and as a balance indicator 126. For example, a user may view the hinge 156 during an arthroplasty procedure and detect that the pivot plate 148 (or the superior plate 118) is oriented non-parallel to an inferior plate 120. In this manner, a user can determine a balance status. |
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A knuckle is a structure with an opening sized to receive the pin. A knuckle connects to at least one leaf. A knuckle can have a circular longitudinal cross-section and can be cylindrical. In certain embodiments, each leaf includes a knuckle that can be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the hinge. Once the one or more knuckles are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the hinge, the pin can be inserted into openings of the one or more knuckles to secure the leaf / leaves connected to each knuckle. |
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A hinge can include a pin, one or more knuckles (also referred to as loops, joints, nodes, curls, etc.), and one or more leaves. As used herein, a "pin" refers to a cylindrical structure having a cross-sectional diameter small enough to fit within openings of one or more knuckles of a hinge. In certain embodiments, the pin can include a head on one end, the head can be larger than a diameter of the openings of the one or more knuckles such that the head prevents the pin from passing completely through the openings of the one or more knuckles. A pin can be made from a variety of material including metal, plastic, wood, or the like. A leaf is a structure that extends laterally from the one or more knuckles and can be integrated with or connected to a structure that is intended to pivot or rotate about the pin. In certain embodiments, a hinge can include two or more leaves. A leaf can be a planar structure. |
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As used herein, a "hinge" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly, or module structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to connect two structures such that one structure can rotate about a fixed longitudinal axis of the hinge with respect to the other structure. In one embodiment, a hinge may be considered a mechanical bearing that restricts relative movement of the two structures to a desired kind of movement. In certain embodiments, various types of hinges can be used including a barrel hinge, a butt hinge, a butterfly hinge, a case hinge, a concealed hinge, a continuous / piano hinge, a flag hinge, an H hinge, an HL hinge, a pivot hinge, a self-closing hinge, a spring hinge, a living hinge, a coach hinge, a flush hinge, or the like. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Figure 1A illustrates a three-dimensional axis 110. The three-dimensional axis 110 includes a cephalad-caudal axis 112, a medial-lateral axis 114, and an anterior-posterior axis 116. The three-dimensional axis 110 is used to identify how a gap gauge 100 is positioned and/or oriented with respect to an anterior-posterior axis 116 of a patient who is in a reference anatomical position. |
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FIGURE 1G illustrates the gap gauge 100 with the separator 122 actuate such that the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 are displaced from each other by a displacement 128. In one embodiment, the displacement 128 is a measure between an external surface of the superior plate 118 and an external surface of the inferior plate 120. Those of skill in the art will recognize that a displacement can also be a measure between an internal surface of the superior plate 118 and an internal surface of the inferior plate 120 indicated by displacement 128’. |
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FIGURE 1G illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the gap gauge 100. The side view shows the superior plate 118, inferior plate 120, separator 122, a lock-out mechanism 130, a grip 132, a handle 134, a superior body 136, inferior body 138, a shaft 140, spring 142, and a post 146. |
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FIGURE 1F illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the gap gauge 100. The side view shows the superior plate 118, inferior plate 120, separator 122, a lock-out mechanism 130, a grip 132, a handle 134, a superior body 136, inferior body 138, a shaft 140, a spring 142, and a post 146. |
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In certain embodiments, the gap gauge 100 may include a post 146. The post 146 may slidably engage the superior body 136 and be connected to the inferior body 138. In one embodiment, the post 146 may be screwed into an opening in the superior body 136. The post 146 may cooperate with the shaft 140 to maintain movement of the superior body 136 along a single axis. |
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