Dave's PCF WIP: Paragraphs

Paragraphs

Actions	Matter	Content	Para #	Notes	Modified
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	a second plate positionable in contact with the second bone, wherein the second plate is displaced from the first plate by a displacement;	138	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	a separator connected to the first plate and the second plate, wherein the separator can be actuated to adjust the displacement;	139	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	a separation indicator coupled to the separator and configured to indicate the displacement; and	140	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	a balance indicator connected to at least one of the first plate and the second plate and configured to indicate a balance status between the first plate and the second plate.	141	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 5A illustrates an example balance gauge 168 of a gap gauge 100 that can be positioned to contact a first bone (See FIGURE 1A) and a second bone (See FIGURE 1A). Where the surfaces of the bones are parallel and/or forces within the joint 108 are balanced (e.g., a balance condition), a needle 172 of the balance gauge 168 may point to a middle mark of the dial 170 indicating a balance condition, no positive or negative degree of rotation about a pivot axis 162.	93	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	During an arthroplasty procedure, a user may align the longitudinal axis of the pin 158, and hence the pivot axis of the pivot plate 148, with an anterior-posterior axis 116 of a patient in order to determine a balance status. Alternatively, or in addition, during an arthroplasty procedure, a user may position the longitudinal axis of the pin 158, and hence the pivot axis of the pivot plate 148, parallel to an anterior-posterior axis 116 of a patient in order to determine, or measure, a varus condition, a balanced condition, or a valgus condition.	78	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	If the pivot plate 148 pivots about the pin 158 in the direction of arrow 164, this may indicate a varus condition of a first bone relative to a second bone. If the pivot plate 148 pivots about the pin 158 in the direction of arrow 166, this may indicate a valgus condition of a first bone relative to a second bone. If the pivot plate 148 does not pivot about the pin 158, this may indicate a balanced condition of a first bone relative to a second bone.	79	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figures 2 and 3 are anterior views of a knee joint with the gap gauge 100 of Figure 1A inserted between two bones and show a balanced condition and a varus condition, respectively. A figure showing bones of a joint for a valgus condition is not specifically shown; however, those of skill in the art will appreciate that a valgus condition is simply an angle, or orientation, of the bones of FIGURE 3 such that the pivot plate 148 pivots in the direction of arrow 166 rather than arrow 164.	80	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	As used herein, a "valgus condition" refers to a state of a bone or joint having an undesired outward angulation (angled laterally, away from the body's midline) of the distal segment of a bone or joint. For example, in a valgus condition of the knee, the distal part of the leg below the knee is deviated outward, in relation to the femur, resulting in a knock-kneed appearance. The opposite of varus is called valgus. A varus condition at the knee results in a bowlegged appearance with the distal part of the leg deviated inward, in relation to the femur. (Search "valgus deformity" on Wikipedia.com Oct 20, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.) A valgus condition can be experienced in a variety of joints, including but not limited to, ankle joints, elbow joints, foot joints, hand joints, hip joints, knee joints, toe joints, wrist joints, and the like. As used herein, a "varus condition" refers to a state of a bone or joint having an undesired inward angulation (medial angulation, that is, towards the body's midline) of the distal segment of a bone or joint. The opposite of varus is called valgus. The terms varus and valgus refer to the direction that the distal segment of the joint points. For example, a varus condition at the knee results in a bowlegged appearance with the distal part of the leg deviated inward, in relation to the femur. In a valgus condition of the knee, the distal part of the leg below the knee is deviated outward, in relation to the femur, resulting in a knock-kneed appearance. (Search "varus deformity" on Wikipedia.com Oct 20, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.) A varus condition can be experienced in a variety of joints, including but not limited to, ankle joints, elbow joints, foot joints, hand joints, hip joints, knee joints, toe joints, wrist joints, and the like. As used herein, a "balanced condition" refers to a state of a bone and/or joint having a desired alignment of the bone or joint with a central axis of a limb or anatomical structure that includes the bone and/or joint. In certain embodiments, a balanced condition refers to a condition of the bone or joint that is not a varus condition and is not a valgus condition.	81	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 2 illustrates a balanced condition for the joint 108. The superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 contacts the femur 102. The inferior plate 120 contacts the tibia 104. The pivot plate 148 is parallel to the inferior plate 120. In the illustrated embodiment, a force, or tension, in the joint 108, or movement in direction of arrow 164 is offset by a force, or tension, in the joint 108 or movement in direction of arrow 166. As used herein, a "tension" refers to a tensile force that is applied across an elongated structure. For example, a ligament such as a lateral collateral ligament may experience tension due to how the ligament is attached to a femur bone and tibia bone and stretched during flexing of the knee joint.	82	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 3 illustrates a varus condition for a joint 108. The superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 contacts the femur 102. The inferior plate 120 contacts the tibia 104. The pivot plate 148 is not parallel to the inferior plate 120. A slant in the superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 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 the illustrated embodiment, 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 is greater than 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.	83	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 4 is a posterior view of a knee joint with a gap gauge 100 inserted between a femur 102 and a tibia 104. FIGURE 4 illustrates a rear view of the gap gauge 100. FIGURE 4 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, support plate 150, driver 152, and fastener 154. The illustrated embodiment includes a balance gauge 168. In one embodiment, the balance gauge 168 can include a dial 170 and a needle 172.	85	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 4 illustrates medial condyles 174a, 174b and lateral condyles 176a, 176b of a first bone (e.g., tibia 104) and a second bone (e.g., femur 102). As used herein, a "medial condyle" refers to one of the two projections on the lower extremity, distal end, of femur, the other being the lateral condyle. The medial condyle is larger than the lateral (outer) condyle due to more weight bearing caused by the center of mass being medial to the knee. (Search "medial condyle" on Wikipedia.com May 12, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.) As used herein, a "lateral condyle" refers to one of the two projections on the lower extremity, distal end, of the femur. The other one is the medial condyle. The lateral condyle is prominent and is broader both in its front-to-back and transverse diameters. (Search "lateral condyle" on Wikipedia.com April 17, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.)	86	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In the illustrated embodiment, the superior plate 118 is positionable to engage, or contact, the femur 102 and the inferior plate 120 is positionable to engage, or contact, the tibia 104. The superior plate 118 can be shaped, or configured, to engage a medial condyle 174b and a lateral condyle 176b of the femur 102. The inferior plate 120 can be shaped, or configured, to engage a medial condyle 174a and a lateral condyle 176a of the tibia 104. One example of a shape suitable of a superior plate 118 for engaging a medial condyle 174b and a lateral condyle 176b of the femur 102 is illustrated in FIGURE 1C. One example of a shape suitable of an inferior plate 120 for engaging a medial condyle 174a and a lateral condyle 176a of the tibia 104 is illustrated in FIGURE 1D. Of course, the size and shape of the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120 can be different depending on the age and size of the patient (e.g., smaller for children and larger for adults).	87	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The balance gauge 168, in one embodiment, provides a visual indication of a balance status and can provide specific information about a magnitude of imbalance or balance of the joint 108 to a user of the gap gauge 100. As used herein, a "balance gauge" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, system, assembly, hardware, software, firmware, circuit, module, or logic structured, organized, configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to measure an attribute, characteristic, state, or condition of another structure or object or set of structures or objects. In one embodiment, the balance gauge is structured, organized, configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to measure a balance status between two or more structures. The balance gauge 168 can be connected to the balance indicator 126 such that movement of the balance indicator 126 is reflected and/or reported by the balance gauge 168. In this manner, the balance gauge 168 can measure the balance status.	88	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 4 illustrates that a user can determine both a displacement, using the separation indicator 124, and a balance status, using the balance indicator 126 and/or the balance gauge 168 in a single view of the gap gauge 100. This can be helpful as other soft tissue or equipment may interfere with determining either, or both, of a displacement and a balance status during an arthroplasty procedure.	89	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figures 5A-5C are rear views of an exemplary gap gauge 100 illustrating different balance status states. Figures 5A-5C illustrate a dial 170 and a needle 172 coupled or connected to a balance indicator 126 in order to measure a balance status. As used herein, a dial refers to a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer, such as a needle. ("dial." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021. Web. 6 Jan. 2021. Modified.) As used herein, a “needle” refers to a long thin structure that may include a point at one end and a coupler for connecting the needle to another structure.	90	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In the illustrated embodiment, the dial 170 includes marks and each mark is positioned on a face of the dial 170. The marks can represent an angle of pivot, or movement, of a superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 about the pin 158. Each mark on the face can represent a different measure of balance status. Alternatively, or in addition, marks positioned on a face of the dial can indicate a measure of the orientation of a superior plate 118 relative to an inferior plate 120.	91	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In certain embodiments, the face can include numbers that identify different measures of a balance status. In one embodiment, the dial 170 includes marks for angles ranging from -5 degrees to +5 degrees with 0 degrees representing a balanced condition. As the superior plate 118 and/or pivot plate 148 pivot or rotate about the pin 158, the rotation is measured by and conveyed to the balance indicator 126. Movement of the balance indicator 126 transfers to the needle 172 and moves the needle 172 to point toward a mark on the face that reflects the balance status. Rotation of the superior plate 118 or the inferior plate 120, about an anterior-posterior axis 116 of a patient, moves the needle 172 to point toward a mark on the face of the dial that reflects the orientation of the plates.	92	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM

Page 435 of 438, showing 20 record(s) out of 8,747 total