Devices and techniques for treating lesser metatarsals of the foot

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12478381-B2
Application number	US-202318174596-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2023
Priority date	Feb 24, 2022
Publication date	Nov 25, 2025
Grant date	Nov 25, 2025

Abstract

A variety of surgical procedures may be performed on the bones of the foot, such as on one or more lesser metatarsals of the foot positioned laterally of the first metatarsal. For example, a surgical procedure may involve cutting an end of one or both of a second metatarsal and an intermediate cuneiform and/or cutting an end of one or both of a third metatarsal and a lateral cuneiform. The tarsometatarsal joints defined be one or both sets of bones may be cut to treat an arthritic joint, metatarsus adductus, and/or other clinical condition. In any case, various surgical instruments can be utilized during a procedure to help increase the accuracy and repeatability of the procedure patient-to-patient, improving overall patient outcomes. For example, one or more cut guides, compressor-distractor devices, and/or other instruments designed to accommodate the specific anatomical conditions of the procedure being performed may be utilized during procedure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
positioning a first pin-receiving hole of a first engagement arm of a compressor-distractor over a first bone portion that is one of an intermediate cuneiform, a lateral cuneiform, and a cuboid, the first engagement arm having a first straight portion defining the first pin-receiving hole and extending dorsally and laterally from the first bone portion and a first angled portion extending plantarly and laterally from the first straight portion; positioning a second pin-receiving hole of a second engagement arm of the compressor-distractor over at second bone portion that is one of second metatarsal, a third metatarsal, a fourth metatarsal, or a fifth metatarsal, the second engagement arm having a second straight portion defining the second pin-receiving hole and extending dorsally and laterally from the second bone portion and a second angled portion extending plantarly and laterally from the second straight portion; inserting a first pin through the first pin-receiving hole and into the underlying first bone portion; inserting a second pin through the second pin-receiving hole and into the underlying second bone portion; and actuating the compressor-distractor to adjust a separation distance between the first bone portion and the second bone portion.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the compressor-distractor comprises a rail, and actuating the compressor-distractor comprises moving the second engagement arm along the rail relative to the first engagement arm.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first straight portion and the second straight portion each have a length that is greater than 10 mm; and the first angled portion and the second angled portion each have a length that is greater than 20 mm.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein positioning the first pin-receiving hole of the first engagement arm over the first bone portion and positioning the second pin-receiving hole of the second engagement arm over the second bone portion comprising positioning the first straight portion and the second straight portion at an angle ranging from 50 degrees to 85 degrees with respect to a sagittal plane.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first angled portion extends at a first acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the first pin-receiving hole; the second angled portion extends at a second acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the second pin-receiving hole; and the first acute angle and the second acute angle each range from 35 degrees to 65 degrees.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the first acute angle and the second acute angle are each fixed angles.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the first pin through the first pin-receiving hole and into the underlying first bone portion comprises inserting the first pin after inserting the second pin through the second pin-receiving hole and into the underlying second bone portion.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first bone portion is the lateral cuneiform and the second bone portion is the third metatarsal.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
cutting an end of at least one of the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform to create an opening between the end of the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform; cutting an end of at least one of the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform to create an opening between the end of the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform; moving the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal in at least one plane; and fixating a moved position of the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein moving the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal comprises:
inserting the first pin into the first pin-receiving hole and the underlying lateral cuneiform; manually moving the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal in both a transverse plane and a frontal plane; and subsequently inserting the second pin into the second pin-receiving hole and the underlying third metatarsal.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein actuating the compressor-distractor to adjust a separation distance between the first bone portion and the second bone portion results in moving the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal in at least one plane.

12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
preparing an end of the other of the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform; and preparing an end of the other of the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein:
cutting the end of at least one of the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform to create the opening comprises cutting the end of at least one of the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform to create a wedge-shaped opening; and cutting the end of at least one of the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform to create the opening comprises cutting the end of at least one of the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform to create a wedge-shaped opening.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein fixating the moved position of the second metatarsal and the third metatarsal comprises:
applying at least one fixation device across a second tarsal-metatarsal joint between the second metatarsal and the intermediate cuneiform, and applying at least one fixation device across a third tarsal-metatarsal joint between the third metatarsal and the lateral cuneiform.

Assignees

• Treace Medical Concepts Inc

Inventors

• Kuyler Adriaan
• Scanlan Sean F
• Dayton Paul
• Decarbo William T
• Easley Mark Erik
• Hatch Daniel J
• Mcaleer Jody
• Santrock Robert D
• Smith W Bret

Classifications

• A61B17/66

  {Alignment}, compression or distraction mechanisms · CPC title

• A61B17/1775

  for the foot or ankle · CPC title

• A61B2017/565

  for surgical correction of axial deviation, e.g. hallux valgus or genu valgus · CPC title

• A61B17/15 Primary

  Guides therefor · CPC title

• A61B17/151 Primary

  for corrective osteotomy · CPC title