Osteotomy guide and method

Abstract

External fixation apparatus and method are disclosed for use in osteotomy and other medical procedures. The apparatus includes a stabilizing portion adapted to be externally coupled to an anterior portion of a tibial bone. The apparatus also includes an angulation portion adapted to be externally coupled to another anterior portion of the tibial bone and coupled to the stabilizing portion. The angulation portion may be selectively adjustable to angulate a portion of the tibial bone about an axis of rotation offset from a longitudinal axis of the tibial bone following an osteotomical procedure on the tibial bone. An osteotomy guide can be attached to the external fixation apparatus and used by a physician to create an osteotomy.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing treatment for an osteotomy, comprising: 
 securing an external fixation device to an anterior portion of a patient's bone; and    angulating a portion of the patient's bone about an axis of rotation of the external fixation device offset from a longitudinal axis of the patient's bone.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising angulating at least a portion of the patient's bone without performing a separate distraction phase thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising angulating in increments by the patient.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively adjusting the external fixation device to compress an osteotomy.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising examining the patient through a window of the external fixation device using at least one of radiographic imaging and sonic imaging.  
     
     
         6 . An osteotomy guide for placement of an osteotomy, comprising: 
 a generally rigid member adapted to be releasably coupled to an external fixation device;    a receptacle disposed in the member; and    the receptacle adapted to receive a plurality of instruments that may be used in an osteotomical procedure on a tibial bone.    
     
     
         7 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , wherein the instruments are selected from the group consisting of a saw, an osteotome and a drill.  
     
     
         8 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , further comprising the receptacle adapted to be generally aligned with an axis of rotation of the external fixation device.  
     
     
         9 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , further comprising the receptacle adapted to be generally aligned with a region as measured between a lateral and medial cortex of the tibial bone from the axis of rotation as measured proximally to distally.  
     
     
         10 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , wherein the external fixation device comprises: 
 a first portion adapted to be externally coupled to an anterior portion of the tibial bone;    a second portion adapted to be externally coupled to another anterior portion of the tibial bone and coupled to the first portion; and    the second portion selectively adjustable to angulate a portion of the tibial bone about a center of rotation offset from a center of the tibial bone following an osteotomical procedure on the tibial bone.    
     
     
         11 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of generally circularly spaced apertures spaced at a distance less than the diameter of the respective apertures.  
     
     
         12 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , further comprising the rigid member formed from material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, aluminum, stainless steel, and acrylic.  
     
     
         13 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , further comprising the rigid member adapted to reside in a window formed within the external fixation device.  
     
     
         14 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6 , further comprising the rigid member releasably coupled to the external fixation device by at least one screw.  
     
     
         15 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 the receptacle adapted to receive a removable insert; and  
 an insert adapted to receive a plurality of instruments that may be used in performing an osteotomy.  
 
     
     
         16 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 15 , wherein the receptacle comprises a smooth linear aperture.  
     
     
         17 . The osteotomy guide of  claim 15 , wherein the insert is adapted to receive a saw, an osteotome or a drill.  
     
     
         18 . A method for performing an osteotomy, comprising: 
 aligning a generally rigid member with at least a portion of an external fixation device; and    penetrating a receptacle adapted to receive a selected instrument disposed in the member to perform an osteotomical procedure on a tibial bone.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising selecting the instrument from the group consisting of a saw, an osteotome, and a drill.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising aligning the rigid member with an axis of rotation of the external fixation device.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising releasably coupling the member to the external fixation device.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising placing the rigid member within a window formed in the external fixation device.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising coupling the member to the external fixation device by friction.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising discarding the member after performing the osteotomical procedure.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising: 
 placing an insert adapted to receive instruments into the receptacle; and    penetrating the insert with an instrument adapted to receive a select instrument disposed in the member to perform an osteotomical procedure.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising selecting the instrument from the group consisting of a saw, an osteotome, and a drill.