Implant for osteotomy, tool for inserting the implant, and method of inserting the implant using the tool

Abstract

A tool comprises a first body shaped to detachably receive a bone implant having a first portion with a first flat surface adapted to be attached to a bone and a second portion with a second flat surface oriented at a pre-determined angle relative to the first flat surface, the bone implant having at least one fastener hole penetrating each of the first and second portions. A second body has a surface or member. The second body is adjustably connected to the first body to selectably position the surface or member relative to the bone implant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool, comprising:
 a first body shaped to detachably receive a bone implant having a first portion with a first flat surface adapted to be attached to a bone and a second portion with a second flat surface oriented at a pre-determined angle relative to the first flat surface, the bone implant having at least one fastener hole penetrating each of the first and second portions; and   a second body having a surface or member, the second body adjustably connected to the first body to selectably position the surface or member relative to the bone implant.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third body extending through the first body, the third body detachably connectable to the bone implant for retaining the bone implant against the first body.   
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the third body has a drill guide configured for inserting a drill bit through the drill guide and through a hole in the bone implant.   
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the bone implant has a bottom surface for abutting a bone, and the hole is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom surface for receiving a fastener.   
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the tool further comprises a cut guide detachably connectable to the hole in the bone implant, the cut guide having a planar surface defining a cutting plane through a bone, when the bone implant is fastened to the bone and the cut guide; and   the third body has a threaded end for engaging the hole in the bone implant when the bone implant is not fastened to the cut guide.   
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the cut guide has a handle with a distal end, the distal end having a connector for connecting the shaft to a tool handle. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft rotatably connected to the first body, the shaft having a threaded portion, the second body having a threaded opening for receiving the threaded portion of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft advances or retracts the second body relative to the bone implant. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft has an enlarged portion positioned adjacent the threaded portion, so as to limit a range of travel of the second body relative to the bone implant. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft has an end distal from the first body, with a connector for connecting the shaft to a tool handle. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the member of the second body comprises a shelf extending outward in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first body and parallel to a bottom surface of the implant, the shelf having a ridge on a bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third body extending through the first body, the third body detachably connectable to the bone implant for retaining the bone implant against the first body, the third body having a drill guide configured for inserting a drill bit through the drill guide and through a hole in the bone implant, the bone implant having a bottom surface for abutting a bone, wherein the hole is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom surface for receiving a fastener, the third body having a threaded end for engaging the hole in the bone implant; and   a shaft rotatably connected to the first body, the shaft having a threaded portion, the second body having a threaded opening for receiving the threaded portion of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft advances or retracts the second body relative to the bone implant, wherein the shaft has an enlarged portion positioned adjacent the threaded portion, so as to limit a range of travel of the second body relative to the bone implant.   
     
     
         12 . Apparatus comprising:
 a bone implant having a first portion with a first flat surface adapted to be attached to a bone and a second portion with a second flat surface oriented at a pre-determined angle relative to the first flat surface, the bone implant having at least one fastener hole penetrating each of the first and second portions; and   a cut guide attachable to the bone implant using at least one of the fastener holes, the cut guide having a guide surface that is coplanar with the second flat surface when the cut guide is attached to the bone implant.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener hole of the second portion of the bone implant is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the second flat surface of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, and the cut guide has a mounting member with a mounting hole for attaching the cut guide to the bone implant, the mounting hole being oriented at the predetermined angle relative to the guide surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 (a) fastening a bone implant to a bone, such that a first surface of the bone implant contacts a first portion of the bone;   (b) connecting a tool to the bone implant, the tool having a movable contact member configured to engage a second portion of the bone which has been severed from the first portion of the bone;   (c) adjusting the movable contact member until the second portion of the bone has a predetermined offset relative to the first surface of the bone implant; and   (d) drilling a hole in the second portion of the bone for fastening the bone implant thereto, the drilling being performed using a drill guide in the tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein step (b) includes rotating a threaded body containing the drill guide, until threads of the threaded body engage threads of the second portion of the bone implant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising attaching the movable contact member to the second portion of the bone temporarily with a fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein step (c) includes rotating a shaft having a fixed displacement relative to the bone implant, the movable contact member having a female thread engaging a male thread of the shaft, whereby rotating the shaft adjusts a displacement of the movable contact member relative to the bone implant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the bone implant has a second surface oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the first surface, the method further comprising, before step (b):
 attaching a cut guide to the bone implant, the cut guide having a guide surface that is coplanar with the second surface when the cut guide is attached to the bone implant; and   cutting the bone along a plane containing the guide surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of attaching the cut guide includes inserting a fastener through a first hole in the cut guide and a second hole in a second portion of the bone implant, the second portion of the bone implant having the second surface thereon, wherein the hole drilled in step (d) is drilled through the second hole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 removing a portion of the tool having the drill guide therein from an opening in the tool; and   inserting a fastener through a hole in the bone implant, into the drilled hole in the second portion of the bone, so that the bone implant is fastened in a corner between a perimeter of the first portion of the bone and a cut face of the second portion of the bone.