Patent ID: 7985227
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for aligning a leg of a patient with a mechanical axis to facilitate medical treatment thereon, said leg having a femoral head, a thigh portion, and a foot portion, which itself includes an ankle portion, said method comprising the steps of: A) providing a device comprising: B) positioning said leg adjacent said base member such that said leg is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said spine portion; C) securing said foot portion of said patient's leg to said boot assembly; D) selectively securing said carriage relative to said spine portion so as to discourage said relative movement between said boot assembly and said spine portion; E) manipulating said femoral head location member to establish a first reference point positioned at a known location relative to the center of said femoral head; F) manipulating said boot assembly to establish a second reference point at a known location relative to the center of said ankle portion of said foot portion; G) obtaining from said mechanical axis indicator a visual indication of a portion of a reference axis passing from said first reference point to said second reference point, such that said reference axis is within substantially the same plane as said mechanical axis; H) adjusting said first lateral force assembly to urge said leg into a desired alignment with said mechanical axis indicator; and I) selectively securing said first lateral force assembly to discourage said leg from moving away from said desired alignment.