Spring-Fit Surgical Guides

Abstract

Various embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for surgical procedures, including spring-fit guides for improved guidance of surgical instruments, are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guide for a surgical instrument for use in treating a joint of a patient, the guide comprising:
 a body having a guide slot extending through at least a portion of the body from a first side of the body to a second side of the body,   wherein the guide slot is dimensioned to receive the surgical instrument through an entrance opening and guide the surgical instrument along a path extending from an exit opening in a direction substantially opposite the entrance opening and substantially along a predetermined cutting plane,   wherein the entrance opening is located on the first side of the body and the exit opening is located on the second side of the body,   wherein a cutting-plane side wall of the guide slot includes at least a portion substantially located within the cutting plane, and   wherein an opposing side wall of the guide slot is positioned substantially opposite the cutting-plane side wall and includes at least one spring-fit structure, the at least one spring-fit structure comprising:
 a guide surface substantially facing the cutting-plane side wall; and 
 a flexing portion connected to the body and supporting at least a portion of the guide surface, the flexing portion configured to allow at least a portion of the guide surface to move in a direction substantially away from the cutting plane when the surgical instrument is inserted into the guide slot and contacts at least a portion of the guide surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the guide surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         3 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing side wall includes a substantially concave portion. 
     
     
         4 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing side wall includes a substantially concave portion and wherein the concave portion is positioned substantially opposite the spring-fit structure. 
     
     
         5 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the spring-fit structure is positioned adjacent to the entrance opening. 
     
     
         6 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the body, the guide slot, and the spring-fit structure comprise a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         7 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the cutting-plane side wall located within the cutting plane and the spring-fit structure are formed of a polymer material. 
     
     
         8 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises an instrument selected from the group consisting of a saw, a drill, and a pin. 
     
     
         9 . A system for treatment of a joint of a patient, the system comprising:
 a first guide for a surgical instrument; and   an implant component to be implanted in the joint,   wherein the first guide comprises:
 a body having a guide slot extending through at least a portion of the body from a first side of the body to a second side of the body, 
 wherein the guide slot is configured to receive the surgical instrument through an entrance opening and guide the surgical instrument along a path extending from an exit opening in a direction substantially opposite the entrance opening and substantially along a predetermined cutting plane, 
 wherein the entrance opening is located on the first side of the body and the exit opening is located on the second side of the body, 
 wherein a cutting-plane side wall of the guide slot includes at least a portion substantially located within the cutting plane, and 
 wherein an opposing side wall of the guide slot is positioned substantially opposite the cutting-plane side wall and includes at least one spring-fit structure, the at least one spring-fit structure comprising:
 a guide surface substantially facing the cutting-plane side wall; and 
 a flexing portion connected to the body and supporting at least a portion of the guide surface, the flexing portion configured to allow at least a portion of the guide surface to move in a direction away from the cutting plane when the surgical instrument is inserted into the guide slot and contacts at least a portion of the guide surface. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the implant includes at least one bone-facing surface and wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a saw along the predetermined cutting plane such that a resected surface of the joint is formed and configured to support the at least one bone-facing surface of the implant. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the implant includes at least one bone-facing surface and wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a saw along the predetermined cutting plane such that a resected surface of the joint is formed that substantially negatively matches the at least one bone-facing surface of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the guide surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the opposing side wall includes a substantially concave portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the opposing side wall includes a substantially concave portion and wherein the concave portion is positioned substantially opposite the spring-fit structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the spring-fit structure is positioned adjacent to the entrance opening. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the body, the guide slot, and the spring-fit structure comprise a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the cutting-plane side wall located within the cutting plane and the spring-fit structure are formed of a polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises an instrument selected from the group consisting of a saw, a drill, and a pin.