System for Connecting a Connecting Device, in Particular a Distractor, to a Bone

Abstract

System for connecting a connection device to a bone with a bone pin, wherein the connection device is provided with an opening for receiving the bone pin, wherein the system comprises: said connection device; a guiding tube arranged to guide the bone pin from the connection device to the bone for connecting the bone pin to the bone, wherein the inner diameter of the guiding tube corresponds to the outer diameter of the bone pin and wherein the guiding tube can be slidably received in the opening, the guiding tube being slidable with respect to the connection device along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the opening; a locking device arranged to be received in the opening of the connection device and arranged to engage the bone pin for locking the bone pin with respect to the connection device, wherein the guiding tube is movable with respect to the connection device and bone pin such that the guiding tube is removable from the combination of the bone pin and the connection device and wherein the locking device is arranged to lock the bone pin after removal of the guiding tube.

1 . System for connecting a connection device to a bone with a bone pin, wherein the connection device is provided with an opening for receiving the bone pin, wherein the system comprises:
 said connection device;   a guiding tube arranged to guide the bone pin from the connection device to the bone for connecting the bone pin to the bone, wherein the inner diameter of the guiding tube corresponds to the outer diameter of the bone pin and wherein the guiding tube can be slidably received in the opening, the guiding tube being slidable with respect to the connection device along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the opening;   a locking device arranged to be received in the opening of the connection device and arranged to engage the bone pin for locking the bone pin with respect to the connection device,   
       wherein the guiding tube is movable with respect to the connection device and bone pin such that the guiding tube is removable from the combination of the bone pin and the connection device and wherein the locking device is arranged to lock the bone pin after removal of the guiding tube. 
     
     
         2 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking device has an annular body having an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening of the connection device and an inner diameter suitable for engaging the bone pin. 
     
     
         3 . System according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the locking device comprises an engaging surface for engaging the bone pin, wherein the engaging surface is movable towards and from said bone pin between an unlocked position, wherein the bone pin is movable with respect to the engaging surface, and a locking position, wherein the engaging surface engages the bone pin for locking said bone pin with respect to the connection device by clamping. 
     
     
         4 . System according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking device has an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the bone pin. 
     
     
         5 . System according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking device has an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of the guiding tube in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         6 . System according to any of the preceding  claims 3 - 5 , wherein the opening of the connection device has a tapering diameter, seen along the longitudinal axis of the opening, for moving the engaging surface between the positions upon longitudinal movement of the locking device with respect to the connection device. 
     
     
         7 . System according to  claim 6 , wherein the locking device comprises a correspondingly shaped tapering outer diameter. 
     
     
         8 . System according to any of the preceding  claims 3 - 7 , wherein the locking device comprises a deformable element arranged to deform in the locked position for engaging the bone pin. 
     
     
         9 . System according to any of the preceding  claims 3 - 8 , wherein the locking device comprises an engaging element provided with at least one engaging surface and a separate driving element arranged to move the engaging element along the longitudinal axis of the opening for moving the engaging surface from the unlocked to the locked position. 
     
     
         10 . System according to at least  claims 6  and  9 , wherein the engaging element comprises at least one second engaging surface at a distance from the first engaging surface, seen along the longitudinal axis of the opening, wherein the driving element is provided with an opening for receiving the engaging element and wherein the opening of the driving element has a tapering diameter, seen along the longitudinal axis of the opening, for moving the second engaging surface between the an unlocked and locked position upon longitudinal movement of the driving element with respect to the engaging element. 
     
     
         11 . System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening comprises, seen along the longitudinal axis of the opening, a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the guiding tube, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         12 . System according to  claims 6  and  11 , wherein the opening comprises a tapering section extending between the first and the second sections in which the diameter tapers from the first diameter towards the second diameter. 
     
     
         13 . System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening of the connection device and the locking device are provided with cooperating connecting means for interconnecting the locking device and the connection device. 
     
     
         14 . System according to at least  claims 8  and  13 , wherein the opening is provided with a recess, preferably a groove, for receiving the deformable element for locking the connection device and the locking device. 
     
     
         15 . System according to at least  claims 9  and  13 , wherein the driving element and the opening of the connection device are provided with cooperating connecting means. 
     
     
         16 . System according to at least  claims 11  and  13 , wherein the connecting means are provided in the first section of the opening. 
     
     
         17 . System according to  claim 13 ,  15  or  16 , wherein the opening and the locking device are provided with cooperating threading. 
     
     
         18 . System according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a guiding element for guiding the guiding tube, wherein the guiding element is arranged to be received in the opening of the connection device, wherein the guiding element has an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening and wherein the guiding element has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the guiding tube, wherein the guiding element and the guiding tube are removable from the combination of the bone pin and the connection device. 
     
     
         19 . System according to at least  claims 11  and  18 , wherein the guiding element has an annular body having an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the first section of the opening. 
     
     
         20 . System according to at least  claims 13  and  18 , wherein the guiding element is provided with corresponding connecting means for interconnecting the guiding element and the connection device. 
     
     
         21 . System according to at least  claim 9  and any of the  claims 18 - 20 , wherein the driving element is formed as the guiding element. 
     
     
         22 . System according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second locking device, wherein the connection device comprises a second opening for receiving a second bone pin, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and the second openings are substantially parallel and wherein the second locking device is arranged to lock the second bone pin after removal of a guiding tube from the second opening. 
     
     
         23 . External orthopaedic device arranged to be connected between a first bone part and a second bone part, wherein the orthopaedic device comprises a first connection device as defined in any of the preceding claims and a second connection device, preferably as defined in any of the of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         24 . External distractor arranged to gradually enlarge the distance between a first bone part and a second bone part, wherein the distractor comprises a first connection device as defined in any of the preceding claims and a second connection device, preferably as defined in any of the of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection device is arranged to be connected to the first bone part with at least one first bone pin and wherein the second connection device is arranged to be connected to the second bone part with at least one second bone pin, wherein the first and second connection devices are interconnected via at least a distraction device, the distraction device having an adjustable length for adjusting the distance between the first and the second connection devices along an adjustment axis. 
     
     
         25 . External distractor according to  claim 24 , further comprising resilient means which are arranged for allowing resilient movement along the adjustment axis between the connection devices. 
     
     
         26 . External distractor according to  claim 24  or  25 , further comprising an interconnecting system extending between the first and second connection devices, wherein the interconnecting system is movable between an unlocked position, wherein the connection devices are movable with respect to each other, and a locked position, wherein the mutual positions of the connection devices are fixed. 
     
     
         27 . External distractor according to  claim 26 , wherein the interconnecting system comprises at least one lockable hinge. 
     
     
         28 . External distractor according to  claim 26  or  27 , wherein the interconnecting system is connected to the first and second connection devices with two respective lockable ball joints. 
     
     
         29 . External distractor according to any of the preceding  claims 26 - 28 , wherein the distraction device is arranged in one of the connection devices, preferably integrally, wherein the interconnecting system extends between the distraction device and the other connection device. 
     
     
         30 . External distractor according to  claim 29 , wherein the connection device is arranged to receive the bone pin at a distance from the adjustment axis. 
     
     
         31 . External distractor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the connection devices is arranged to be connected to the bone part with two substantially parallel bone pins. 
     
     
         32 . External distractor according to at least  claims 28  and  31 , wherein a connection device is provided with two openings for receiving the two bone pins, wherein the openings in the connection device are arranged along an axis at a distance from the pivot point of the ball joint. 
     
     
         33 . External distractor according to at least  claims 29  and  31 , wherein the connection device is provided with two openings for receiving the two bone pins, wherein the openings in the connection device are arranged along an axis substantially parallel to the adjustment axis and such that the two bone pins extend substantially perpendicularly to the adjustment axis. 
     
     
         34 . External distractor according to  claim 33 , wherein the openings in the connection device are arranged along an axis at a distance from the adjustment axis. 
     
     
         35 . External distractor according to at least  claim 32  or  34 , wherein one connection device is arranged to receive its bone pins at a distance in a first direction from the adjustment axis or the pivot point, wherein the second connection device is arranged to receive its bone pins at a distance in a second direction from the adjustment axis or the pivot point, the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         36 . External distractor according to any of the  claims 32 - 35 , wherein the connection device comprises a patient facing surface and an outer surface, wherein an opening extends between the patient facing surface and the outer surface, wherein at least the patient facing surface of the connection device has a curved cross-section, seen in a plane perpendicular to the axis trough the openings. 
     
     
         37 . Method for connecting a connection device to a bone with a system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing a bone pin in said guiding tube in the opening of the connection device;   guiding the guiding tube to the bone by sliding said guiding tube in the opening of the connection device with respect to said connection device, such that the guiding tube abuts the bone;   inserting the bone pin into the bone;   removing the guiding tube from the combination of the bone pin and the connection device after insertion of the bone pin; and   locking the bone pin with respect to the connection device with said locking device after removal of the guiding tube.   
     
     
         38 . Method according to  claim 37 , wherein the step of guiding the guiding tube comprises keeping the connection device substantially stationary with respect to the patient. 
     
     
         39 . Method according to  claim 37  or  38 , wherein the step of locking the bone pin comprises engaging the bone pin with an engaging surface of the locking device for clamping said bone pin. 
     
     
         40 . Method according to  claim 39 , wherein the step of locking the bone pin comprises moving the locking device along the longitudinal axis of the opening of the connection device for urging the engaging surface onto the bone pin. 
     
     
         41 . Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of inserting a guiding element according to  claim 18  in the opening and arranging the guiding tube in said guiding element. 
     
     
         42 . Method according to  claim 41 , wherein the guiding element is removed prior to locking the bone pin. 
     
     
         43 . Method for connecting a connection device to the bone with two parallel bone pins, comprising the step of connecting a connection device to the bone with a first bone pin and connecting the connection device to the bone with a second bone pin according to the method of any of the  claims 37 - 42 . 
     
     
         44 . Method according to  claim 43 , wherein the step of connecting a connection device to the bone with a first bone pin comprises:
 inserting the bone pin into the bone using a guiding tube;   removing said guiding tube from the inserted bone pin;   arranging the connection device onto said inserted bone pin;   locking the bone pin with respect to the connection device with a locking device,   
       wherein the method further comprises subsequently connecting the second bone pin according to the method of any of the  claims 37 - 42 . 
     
     
         45 . Method for connecting an external distractor between at least two bone parts of a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing an external distractor according to any of the  claims 24 - 36 ;   connecting the first connection device to the first bone part with at least one bone pin according to any of the preceding claims; and   connecting the second connection device to the second bone part with at least one bone pin.   
     
     
         46 . Method according to  claim 45 , wherein at least one of the connection devices is provided with two openings for receiving two substantially parallel bone pins, wherein at least one of the steps of connecting a connection device to the respective bone part comprises connecting the connection device with two substantially parallel bone pins. 
     
     
         47 . Method according to  claim 45  or  46 , wherein the external distractor comprises an interconnecting system extending between the first and second connection devices, wherein the interconnecting system is movable between a unlocked position, wherein the connection devices are movable with respect to each other, and a locked position, wherein the mutual positions of the connection devices are fixed, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 providing the interconnecting system in the unlocked position; 
 aligning at least one of the connection devices along a predetermined axis with respect to a bone part; and 
 moving the interconnecting system to the locked position for fixing the mutual positions of the connection devices after alignment. 
 
     
     
         48 . Method according to  claim 47 , wherein the distraction device is arranged in one of the connection devices, preferably integrally, wherein the interconnecting system extends between the distraction device and the other connection device, wherein the step of aligning comprises aligning the longitudinal axis of a bone to be substantially parallel to the adjustment axis of the distraction device. 
     
     
         49 . Method according to at least  claims 46  and  47 , wherein the step of aligning comprising aligning the connection device such that the openings in the connection device are arranged along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective bone part. 
     
     
         50 . Method according to any of the preceding  claims 45 - 49  for connecting an external distractor between the tibia and the femur, wherein one of the connection devices is connected to the tibia and the other connection device is connected to the femur. 
     
     
         51 . Method according to  claim 50 , wherein the femur is connected to its connection device prior to connecting the tibia to its connection device. 
     
     
         52 . Method according to at least  claim 48  and  50  or  51 , wherein the step of aligning comprises aligning the adjustment axis of the distraction device in the connection device to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tibia in the coronal plane and the sagittal plane substantially perpendicular to the tibial plateau. 
     
     
         53 . Method according to any of the  claims 50 - 52  when dependent on  claims 46  and  47 , wherein each of the connection devices is provided with two openings for receiving the two bone pins, wherein the connection devices are aligned such that the openings in the connection device are arranged along axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the respective bones and such that the two bone pins extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the respective bones. 
     
     
         54 . Method according to  claim 53 , wherein the step of aligning the connection devices further comprises aligning the adjustment axis and/or the pivot points of the ball joints substantially on the coronal plane, and:
 orienting the openings of the connection devices to be connected to the femur in a posterior position; and/or   orienting the openings of the connection devices to be connected to the tibia in anterior position.   
     
     
         55 . Method for connecting an external distractor system between at least two bone parts of a patient, comprising the steps of connecting a first external distractor according to any of the preceding  claims 45 - 54  at a first side of the bone parts and connecting a second external distractor according to any of the preceding  claims 45 - 54  at a second side, opposite the first side of the bone parts. 
     
     
         56 . Method according to at least  claims 50  and  55 , wherein the first and second external distractors are arranged substantially on the coronal plane on either side of the knee.