Dave's PCF WIP: Paragraphs

Paragraphs

Actions	Matter	Content	Para #	Notes	Modified
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In one embodiment, the hinge 156 can include a pin 158. The pin 158 can couple, or connect, to the pivot plate 148. The pin 158 can connect the support plate 150 and the pivot plate 148. In another embodiment, the hinge 156 may not connect to a support plate 150. The pin 158 has a longitudinal axis 160 that is a pivot axis 162 for the pivot plate 148. A force (e.g., a force in the direction of arrow 164 or arrow 166) applied to the pivot plate 148 can rotate the pivot plate 148 about the pin 158. As used herein, a "pivot axis" refers to an axis about which a structure pivots or rotates.	77	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 5B 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 not parallel and/or forces within the joint 108 are not balanced (e.g., a varus condition or valgus condition depending on which joint is being measured), a needle 172 of the balance gauge 168 may point to a mark (e.g., -5 degrees) on the left side of the middle mark of the dial 170 indicating an imbalance or non-balanced condition, a positive or negative degree of rotation about a pivot axis 162.	94	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 5C 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 not parallel and/or forces within the joint 108 are not balanced (e.g., a varus condition or valgus condition depending on which joint is being measured), a needle 172 of the balance gauge 168 may point to a mark (e.g., +5 degrees) on the right side of the middle mark of the dial 170 indicating an imbalance or non-balanced condition, a positive or negative degree of rotation about a pivot axis 162.	95	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figures 6A-6C are rear views of an exemplary gap gauge 100 illustrating different displacements. Figures 6A-6C illustrate a superior plate 118, inferior plate 120, and separation indicator 124. The superior plate 118 can include a pivot plate 148 and a support plate 150. Figures 6A-6C also illustrate a driver 152 and a fastener 154.	96	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In the illustrated embodiment, the separation indicator 124 can include a face that may include a number that represents a measure for a displacement between an outer surface of the superior plate 118 and an outer surface of the inferior plate 120. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a number at the top-most position of the face when viewed as illustrated may represent a current amount of displacement. For example, the “9” may represent a displacement of 9 millimeters. The face on the driver 152 can include a plurality of different marks and/or numbers (e.g., readings) that each may represent a different displacement between the superior plate 118 and inferior plate 120. The fastener 154 may permit the driver 152 to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the fastener. The driver 152 is rotatable to a plurality of positions and each position may represent a different displacement that corresponds to the number on the face of the driver 152. The illustrated embodiment can include six different displacements and six numbers each representing a different displacement. (e.g., 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19).	97	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 6A illustrates an example separation indicator 124 of a gap gauge 100 that can be positioned within an opening 106 between a first bone (See FIGURE 1A) and a second bone (See FIGURE 1A). Once positioned, and the separator 122 is actuated to a desired displacement, a user can read the displacement by reading the number in the top-most position on the separation indicator 124. For example, in FIGURE 6A the displacement is nine millimeters. For example, in FIGURE 6B the displacement is fifteen millimeters. For example, in FIGURE 6C the displacement is nineteen millimeters.	98	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The separator 122 can be actuated to bring the superior plate 118 in contact with a resected surface of a femur 102 and the inferior plate 120 in contact with a resected surface of a tibia 104. As used herein, a "resected surface" refers to an outermost part or layer of a body structure that is exposed after a resection procedure.	99	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The superior plate 118 can be shaped, or configured, to facilitate contact with a resected surface of the femur 102. The inferior plate 120 can be shaped, or configured, to facilitate contact with a resected surface of the tibia 104. One example of a shape suitable for the superior plate 118 is illustrated in FIGURE 1C. One example of a shape suitable for the tibia 104 is illustrated in FIGURE 1D.	100	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The separator 122 may be actuated by securing the handle 134 with one hand and then rotating the driver 152 to one or more of a plurality of displacement positions. Alternatively, or in addition, actuation of the separator 122 may include securing the gap gauge 100 in position using the handle 134, rotating the driver 152, and/or pulling on the grips 132 to separate the plates 118,120. If the handle 134 is secured, the driver 152 rotated and the grips 132 pulled to separate the plates 118,120 simultaneously or at about the same time an assistant may help with the actuation.	101	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example gap gauge 100. FIGURE 7 illustrates a gap gauge 100 that includes a separator 122 that includes a cam 702 and a follower 704. As used herein, a "cam" refers to a mechanical device structured, organized, configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to translate motion of one form into motion of another form. For example, a cam can translate rotary motion into linear motion. Similarly, a cam can translate linear motion into rotary motion. A cam can be a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used in transforming rotary motion into linear motion. A cam can be a part of a rotating wheel (e.g. an eccentric wheel) or shaft (e.g. a cylinder with an irregular shape) that strikes or moves a lever at one or more points on the rotating wheel's circular path. The cam can be a simple tooth or an eccentric disc or other shape that produces a smooth reciprocating (back and forth) motion in the follower, which is a lever configured to make contact with the cam. (Search "cam" on Wikipedia.com Dec. 26, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.) Various types of cams can be used with the present disclosure. For example, the cam can be a radial cam, a disc cam, a cylindrical cam, or the like.	102	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	As used herein, a "follower" refers to a rigid structure that contacts a cam lobe profile. In one embodiment, the follower may translate motion of the cam to the follower and/or a structure connected to the follower. In certain embodiments, as the cam rotates the follower may slide along a contacting surface of the cam to thereby convert the rotary motion into a linear motion. A follower may also be referred to as a "cam follower" or "track follower." A cam follower is a type of structure, roller, or needle bearing designed to follow and/or contact a cam lobe profile of the cam. (Search "cam follower" on Wikipedia.com Nov. 13, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.)	103	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Various kinds of followers can be used in the present disclosure. The type and shape of a cam follower may be based on the kind of surface of the follower (referred to as a follower face) that contacts a contacting surface of the cam. In one embodiment, the follower is a stud that comes to a point to form a knife edge follower. Alternatively, or in addition, the follower face can have a variety of other shapes including, but not limited to a flat face, a mushroom face, a cylindrical face, a curved face, a semispherical face, and the like. In addition, the follower can include a roller on the end that contacts the contacting surface of the cam. The roller on the end of the follower can enable the follower to roll and or slide along the contacting surface of the cam.	104	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 702 is connected to, or integrated with, the driver 152. The driver 152 connects to the inferior body 138 by way of the fastener 154. In this manner, the cam 702 connects to the inferior body 138. The cam 702 includes a contacting surface 706. As used herein, a "contacting surface" refers to a surface of a cam that contacts a follower. The orientation, placement, and position of the contacting surface can vary with the type of cam being used. In embodiments that use a radial cam the radial cam can have a central axis 708 and the contacting surface can be a surface of the cam that follows a circumference of the radial cam about the central axis 708.	105	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Rotation of the driver 152 also rotates the cam 702. Rotation of the cam 702 moves the superior body 136 which adjusts the displacement of the superior plate 118 relative to the inferior plate 120. In one embodiment, the cam 702 is a radial cam and rotates about a common axis, the central axis 708, with the fastener 154. As used herein, a "radial cam" refers to a type of cam in which the cam has a central axis, and the contacting surface follows a circumference of the cam about the central axis. In a radial cam, the follower moves in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. The follower 704 can contact, or rest, on the cam 702.	106	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The follower 704 is connected to the superior body 136. In one embodiment, the follower 704 may be biased against the contacting surface 706 by the spring 142 around the shaft 140. The follower 704 is sized and shaped to move the superior body 136 along the shaft 140 relative to the inferior body 138 as the follower 704 slides along, or is positioned along, the contacting surface 706. FIGURE 7 illustrates one example embodiment, in which the support plate 150 couples to the separator 122 (e.g., by way of the cam 702, follower 704, and superior body 136) such that actuation of the separator 122 moves the support plate 150 vertically relative to the inferior plate 120.	107	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	FIGURE 7 also illustrates one embodiment of a driver 152 that includes holes 710, or pockets, around the circumference of the driver 152. When the gap gauge 100 is used, a user may insert rods into the holes 710 to provide leverage for rotating the driver 152.	108	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	Arthroplasty procedures can be used to relieve pain in or restore function of a joint due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other joint conditions through minimally invasive or invasive surgery. An arthroplasty procedure can be performed on any joint and may include a partial or total joint replacement with a replacement prosthesis or prostheses. During an arthroplasty procedure, a surgeon may want to measure a size of an opening between two bones of the joint. In addition, the surgeon may also want to measure a balance of the joint in addition to a size of an opening (referred to as a gap) between two bones of the joint. For example, during partial or total knee replacement (TKR) arthroplasty, a surgeon may desire to gauge or measure a displacement between two bones of the joint and a balance of the joint. Taking such measurements during minimally invasive or invasive arthroplasty can be a challenge given forces applied to the joint by ligaments and other soft tissue of or around the joint. Accordingly, a need exists for improved systems and methods to measure the gap and/or angulation between bones in the course of an arthroplasty procedure.	2	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	The various apparatus, devices, systems, and/or methods of the present disclosure have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available arthroplasty balance gauges or arthroplasty gap gauges. The apparatus, devices, systems, and/or methods of the present disclosure may provide an arthroplasty balance and gap gauge in a single device that remedy shortcomings of prior art separate arthroplasty balance gauges and/or arthroplasty gap gauges.	3	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	To achieve the foregoing, and in accordance with the disclosure as embodied and broadly described herein, a gap gauge for facilitating an arthroplasty procedure on a first bone and a second bone of a patient may be provided. One general aspect of the gap gauge can include a first plate positionable in contact with the first bone, a second plate positionable in contact with the second bone, wherein the second plate is displaced from the first plate by a displacement. The gap gauge may also include a separator connected to the first plate and the second plate, wherein the separator can be actuated to adjust the displacement, a separation indicator coupled to the separator and configured to indicate the displacement, and 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.	4	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM
View Edit Delete	OPT-9	In one aspect, the balance indicator may include a hinge that pivotally connects the second plate to the gap gauge. The hinge may include a pin having a longitudinal axis that is a pivot axis of the second plate. The longitudinal axis may be parallel to an anterior-posterior axis of the patient such that rotation of the second plate about the pivot axis measures one of a varus condition, a balanced condition, and a valgus condition of the first bone relative to the second bone.	5	Added by DJM 2 2021	2/17/21, 12:00 AM

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