Craniofacial external distraction apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9730731-B2
Application number	US-201414191827-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2014
Priority date	Feb 27, 2014
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction is disclosed. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a stationary member. The stationary member may be configured to be affixed to a head of a patient. The external distraction apparatus may also comprise laterally disposed distractors. The laterally disposed distractors may extend inferiorly from the stationary member and be moveable relative to the stationary member. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a motor and controller. The motor may be powered with the controller to perform a craniofacial distraction in an automated fashion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An external distraction apparatus for performing automated craniofacial distraction, the external distraction apparatus comprising:
a stationary member configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, at least a portion of the stationary member being anterior to the head of the patient with a gap between the head and a point on the anterior portion most proximal to the head;
a moveable portion moveable relative to the stationary member, the moveable portion extending inferiorly from a portion of the stationary member lateral to the head of the patient;
a motor having a drive output configured to move the moveable portion relative to the stationary member; and
a controller configured to power the motor on a preprogrammed schedule.

2. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to power the motor to affect a preprogrammed amount of relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member in accordance with the preprogrammed schedule.

3. The external distraction apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to put the external distraction apparatus into a sleep state after powering the motor to affect the preprogrammed amount of relative movement.

4. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the external distraction apparatus further comprises a first sensor, the first sensor arranged to sense relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member.

5. The external distraction apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to power the motor until a predetermined amount of relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member has been sensed by the first sensor.

6. The external distraction apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first sensor is a rotary encoder.

7. The external distraction apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the external distraction apparatus further comprises a second sensor, the second sensor configured to sense relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member.

8. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a force sensor operatively coupled to the external distraction apparatus and configured to estimate a force applied by the moveable portion to the head of the patient, the force sensor is in operative communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to apply a predetermined force profile in accordance with the preprogrammed schedule to the head of the patient.

9. The external distraction apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined force profile defines a constant-force distraction vector.

10. The external distraction apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined force profile defines a variable-force distraction vector.

11. The external distraction apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined force profile defines a variable, distraction vector.

12. The external distraction apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined force profile defines an upper and lower range of forces that define an error condition, wherein the preprogrammed schedule includes a distraction velocity vector.

Assignees

• Deka Products Lp

Inventors

• Langenfeld Christopher C
• Smith Iii Stanley B
• Altobelli David E

Classifications

• A61B17/645

  comprising a framework (A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/6433

  specially adapted for use on body parts other than limbs, e.g. trunk or head · CPC title

• A61B2017/00017

  Electrical control of surgical instruments · CPC title

• A61B17/663 Primary

  for jaw bones, e.g. subcutaneous distractors with external access (periodontal bone regeneration A61C8/0006) · CPC title

• A61B17/60

  for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors · CPC title