Patent · US Expired

Knee joint flexion-gap distraction device

US5431653A · kind A · utility

106Cited by
23References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 1993
Grant dateJul 11, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/0268
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A knee distraction device is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. A mechanism applies an adjustable distraction force between the tibial surface and a point on the distal femur of the flexed knee. The spatial relationship of tibia and femur is allowed to change by rotation of the femur around an axis between the center of the hip and the intercondylar area of the distal femur. As the distraction force is applied, relative tensions in the medial and lateral ligamentous structures of the knee are equalized by changes in the spatial relationship of the femur and tibia. During maintenance of distraction, the posterior femoral bone cut may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the cut tibial surface. The use of this mechanism facilitates accurate sizing of the flexion gap and optimal positioning of knee arthroplasty components.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.