Surgical instrument for facilitating accurate osteotomy cuts in bone and method for utilizing same

The present invention is directed to a new and improved surgical instrument capable of facilitating as well as accurately assisting in the achieving of acute angle osteotomy cuts in bone. The benefits are achieved as a result of the instrument's structural elements comprising a calibration arm elevated above a pedestal member by way of an elevational member, there being structurally affixed to said pedestal member an aligning member. By having structurally affixed to the pedestal member by way of pin fastening means a second pedestal member capable of pivotal movement about the pin fastening means and which is capable of interaction with the calibration arm of the surgical instrument as well as defining an additional aligning member adjacent to the pin fastening means, there is achieved the ability to selectively define between the respective aligning members of the surgical instrument an acute angle that is selectively and accurately determined for purposes of acting as a guide for making acute angle osteotomy cuts in bone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a new and improved surgical instrument 
capable of facilitating as well as accurately assisting in the achieving 
of acute angle osteotomy cuts in bone. The benefits are achieved as a 
result of the instrument's structural elements comprising a calibration 
arm elevated above a pedestal member by way of an elevational member, 
there being structurally affixed to said pedestal member an aligning 
member. By having structurally affixed to the pedestal member by way of 
pin fastening means a second pedestal member capable of pivotal movement 
about the pin fastening means and which is capable of interaction with the 
calibration arm of the surgical instrument as well as defining an 
additional aligning member adjacent to the pin fastening means, there is 
achieved the ability to selectively define between the respective aligning 
members of the surgical instrument an acute angle that is selectively and 
accurately determined for purposes of acting as a guide for making acute 
angle osteotomy cuts in bone. 
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to a new and improved surgical 
instrument capable of facilitating as well as accurately assisting in the 
achieving of acute angle osteotomy cuts in bone. 
Although prior art devices existed prior to the present invention that 
addressed themselves to appliances and/or devices that assisted in medical 
procedures whereby a physician made an acute angle osteotomy cut in a 
bone, none of the prior art devices achieve the advantages of the present 
invention nor are such prior art devices capable of providing the overall 
achievements consistent with the present design. 
In conjunction with the above, it should be noted that the prior art 
considered relevant to date by applicants, but which does not anticipate 
nor teach the present invention is as follows. More particularly, 
reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,504 to Hans G. Ender, entitled 
"DEVICE FOR OSTEOTOMY"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,481, to H. William Reese, 
entitled, "OSTEOTOMY APPLIANCES AND METHOD"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,191, to 
D. Barclay Slocum, entitled, "APATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING 
CUNEIFORM OSTEOTOMY"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,268, to John E. Comparetto, 
entitled, "BONE WEDGE GUIDANCE SYSTEM"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,307, to 
William T. Stillwell, entitled, "BONE CUTTING DEVICE FOR TOTAL KNEE 
REPLACEMENT"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,018, to Gary R. Chambers, entitled, 
"OSTEOTOMY APATUS"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,715, to William H. Kirkley, 
entitled, "OSTEOTOMY GUIDE". 
In keeping with the invention, it is therefore an object of this invention 
to create a new and improved surgical instrument and method of utilizing 
same that is capable of facilitating as well as accurately assisting a 
physician in the achieving of acute angle osteotomy cuts in bone. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surfical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein there is further achieved the ability to 
accurately provide a means to achieve a pre-determined angle associated 
with said cut in a bone without the necessity of guessing and/or 
approximating same. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surgical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein upon the utilization of said surgical 
instrument, there is avoided, as said cut is made in the bone, deviation 
from the desired angle as related thereto. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surgical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein there is provided outside of the surgical 
area for ready visualization the shaped osteotomy before cutting of the 
bone occurs. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surgical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein there is achieved the ability to minimize 
the size of the wound exposure associated with an osteotomy cut in a bone, 
since inherent in said design is the positioning of the calibration arm of 
the device outside of and otherwise above the operative area. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surgical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein said instrument provides for a double 
fixation of the device against the bone involved in the surgical procedure 
so as to prevent movement of the instrument in relationship to the bone 
undergoing an osteotomy cut thereby avoiding a cut in said bone that 
deviates from the desired angle. 
It is another object of the invention to create a new and improved surgical 
instrument and method of utilizing same that is capable of facilitating as 
well as accurately assisting a physician in the achieving of acute angle 
osteotomy cuts in bone wherein upon utilization of the surgical instrument 
at the operative site, the placement thereof adjacent to the bone that is 
to undergo an osteotomy cut is achieved through utilizing portions of the 
instrument that extends above said operative site. 
The objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part herein 
and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice of the 
invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the 
instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims. 
The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, 
combinations and improvements hereto shown and described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the above invention as 
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, reference is now made to FIG. 1 
wherein a three dimensional perspective view of surgical instrument 10 
constructed in accordance with the invention as seen from a vantage point 
positioned in front of as well as above surgical instrument 10. 
As therein illustrated, surgical instrument 10 comprises a calibration arm 
11 defining a portion of a circular arc having angle member 12 
structurally affixed to said calibration arm 11, calibration arm 11 and 
angle member 12 appearing within the same plane, angle member 12 being 
aligned parallel to the radius that defines the arc of calibration arm 11. 
Structurally affixed to angle member 12 is elevation member 13, elevation 
member 13 being at right angles to the plane defined by calibration arm 11 
and angle member 12. Additionally elevation member 13 is structurally 
affixed to pedestal member 14, elevation member 13 being at right angles 
to pedestal member 14. Additionally, calibration 11, angle member 12, 
elevation member 13 and pedestal member 14 all define a singular unitary 
structure. Furthermore, the plane defined by calibration arm 11 and angle 
member 12 is parallel to the plane defined by pedestal member 14, the 
vertical distance between said respective parallel planes being that 
equivalent to elevation member 13. 
In further keeping with the invention, pedestal member 14 has structurally 
affixed to it aligning member 15, aligning member 15 being in the same 
plane as defined by pedestal member 14, aligning member 15 and pedestal 
member 14 defining a unitary structure. 
In further keeping with the invention, aligning member 15 defines guiding 
edge 16 which, in accordance with the utilization of surgical instrument 
10, provides one of the measuring and/or guiding edges in conjunction with 
the utilization of the invention. 
As further depicted in FIG. 1, surgical instrument 10 further comprises 
indicator arm 17, elevation member 18, pedestal member 19, aligning member 
20 and guiding edge 21. 
As depicted in FIG. 1, there is structurally affixed to indicator arm 17 
elevation member 18, elevation member 18 being at right angles to the 
plane that indicator arm 17 defines. Furthermore, the plane defined by 
indicator arm 17 is parallel to the plane defined by calibration arm 11 
and angle member 12. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 1, elevation member 18 is structurally 
affixed to indicator arm 17, elevation member 18 being at right angles to 
indicator arm 17. Additionally, elevation member 18 is structurally 
affixed to pedestal member 19, elevation member 18 being at right angles 
to pedestal member 19, it being consistent with the invention that 
indicator arm 17, elevation member 18 and pedestal member 19 all defining 
a singular unitary structure such that the plane defined by indicator arm 
17 is parallel to the plane defined by pedestal member 19, the vertical 
distance between said respective planes being that equivalent to elevation 
member 18. 
In further keeping with the invention, pedestal member 19 has structurally 
affixed to it aligning member 20, aligning member 20 being in the same 
plane as defined by pedestal member 19, aligning member 20 and pedestal 
member 19 defining a unitary structure. 
In further keeping with the invention, aligning member 20 defines guiding 
edge 21 which, in accordance with the utilization of surgical instrument 
10, provides one of the measuring and/or guiding edges in conjunction with 
the utilization of the invention. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 1, pedestal member 19 and pedestal member 
14, each have defined through their structure an opening capable of 
receiving fastening pin 22 with fastening member 23 as therein illustrated 
such that there is created a rotational interfit between pedestal member 
14 and pedestal member 19 such that each is capable of rotational movement 
about the axis of fastening pin 22. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 1, there is formed throughout the entire 
vertical length of fastening pin 22 a cylindrical opening 27, the axis of 
cylindrical opening 27 being coincident with the vertical axis of 
fastening pin 22. 
More particularly, the structure defined by indicator arm 17, elevation 
member 18, pedestal member 19 and aligning member 20 is pivotally affixed 
to the structure defined by angle member 12, elevation member 13, pedestal 
member 14 and aligning member 15 by the placement of the respective 
defined structures one on top of each other as illustrated in FIG. 1 and 
centered about the hole formed through pedestal member 19 and pedestal 
member 14 respectively, which has fastening pin 22 passing there through 
so as to provide an axis of rotation thereabout as related to said 
respective structures. 
It should be noted that with regard to fastening pin 22, that aside from 
providing the structural means for fastening pedestal member 19 to 
pedestal member 14 while allowing for the rotational movement about the 
axis of fastening pin 22 of said respective elements, fastening pin 22 
further defines a cylindrical opening 27 throughout its entire length 
coincident with its axes, the utilization of cylindrical opening 27 to be 
more fully discussed hereinafter in conjunction with the implementation of 
various medical procedures which utilize said surgical instrument 10. 
In further keeping with the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 1, there 
is further structurally affixed to aligning member 15, a spike member 24, 
spike member 24 providing means to anchor surgical instrument 10 to bone 
during utilization of surgical instrument 10 so as to avoid movement 
thereof from a desired position. 
Additionally, indicator arm 17 has structurally affixed to its underneath 
side arm member 25 such that the end of arm member 25 adjacent to 
elevation member 18 is structural bonding affixed to indicator arm 17 
while the other end of arm member 25 defines a spaced opening between 
itself and indicator arm 17 so as to allow for the position therebetween 
of calibration arm 11 as illustrated in FIG. 1. By having screw member 26 
pass through an opening formed through indicator arm 17 and in threaded 
alignment with the opening formed in arm member 25 that is capable of 
receiving the threaded portion of said screw member 26, there is affixed a 
means, by which, upon rotation of screw member 26 about its axis, there is 
cause through the interaction of the threaded portion of screw member 26 
with the compatible threaded opening formed in arm member 25 the 
frictional compression of arm member 25 against indicator arm 17 so as to 
pinch in tight alignment same and thus positioning indicator arm 17 in 
association with calibration arm 11 into a locked position. In so doing, 
there is achieved the selective positioning and locking into place of 
guiding edge 16 in relationship to guiding edge 21 in accordance with the 
invention. 
Furthermore, and in keeping with the invention, calibration arm 11 has 
formed within its top surface calibration markings capable of defining the 
acute angle defined between guiding edge 16 and guiding edge 21 thereby 
enabling one to selectively set the desired angle between guiding edge 16 
and guiding edge 21. As indicated in FIG. 1, there is attempted to be 
illustrated in physical movement of screw member 26, indicator arm 17 and 
a portion of elevational member 18 from the position illustrated therein 
to a position to the left thereof (as indicated by the dashed arrow 
adjacent to screw member 26) as would be the case should there be the 
desire to increase the angle defined between guiding edge 16 and guiding 
edge 21, same being illustrated by the dashed lines that depict 26', 17' 
and 18' which correspond to screw member 26, indicator arm 17 and 
elevational member 18 respectively. 
In accordance with the invention and as previously indicated, FIG. 3 is a 
left side elevational view of surgical instrument 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 
while FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of surgical instrument 10 as 
depicted in FIG. 1. Furthermore, FIG. 2 is a three dimensional perspective 
view of surgical instrument 10 as seen from a vantage point positioned 
behind as well as below said instrument. 
In accordance with the invention, it should be noted that surgical 
instrument 10 in its preferred embodiment and use, is to be utilized in 
conjunction with certain surgical procedures which seek to achieve an 
acute angle osteotomy cut in a bone. In conjunction therewith, in 
achieving said cut, as would be the case in conjunction with a cut of bone 
at the medial surface of the first metatarsal head, there is first 
conducted an incision at the point of interest so as to draw back muscle 
and other soft tissue away from the bone in question. 
Reference is now herein made to FIG. 5 wherein there is illustrated a three 
dimensional perspective view of the surgical instrument 10 constructed in 
accordance with the invention as utilized in conjunction with an operative 
procedure associated with the medial surface of the first metatarsal head 
of an individual's foot. In keeping with the invention, as depicted in 
FIG. 5, there is illustrated therein the insertion of surgical spike 28 
into the bone in question as depicted in FIG. 5 at a point envisioned as 
related thereto to be the apex of the acute angular cut intended to occur 
in conjunction with a medical procedure utilizing surgical instrument 10. 
It should be noted that surgical spike 28, in the preferred embodiment as 
depicted in FIG. 5, is envisioned to be what is commonly known in medical 
surgery as a Kirschner wire or "K" wire, although other comparable and/or 
equivalent means are capable of utilization. 
As illustrated in FIG. 5, and in keeping with the invention, cylindrical 
opening 27 of fastening pin 22 has passed therethrough surgical spike 2 
such that surgical instrument 10 is anchored in mechanical alignment in 
conjunction with the bone in question for purposes of achieving the acute 
angle osteotomy cut. 
After so positioning surgical instrument 10 in relationship to surgical 
spike 28, screw member 26 is rotated so as to allow for the proper angular 
positioning of indicator arm -7 in relationship to angle member 12 as 
evidenced by the markings appearing on calibration arm 11. It should 
further be noted that nothing herein contained should restrict the 
invention to calibrating same prior to the passing of surgical spike 28 
through cylindrical opening 27 of surgical instrument 10, but rather, it 
is within the scope of the invention to adjust and otherwise set the 
desired acute angle between guiding edge 16 and guiding edge 21 after 
surgical spike 28 has been inserted through cylindrical opening 27. 
It should further be noted that inherent in the design of this invention is 
the fact that a smaller incision is required at the point of said surgical 
procedure as compared with prior medical practices and devices related to 
same since inherent in the design of surgical instrument 10 is the fact 
that guiding edge 16 and guiding edge 21 are alignable with respect to 
each other by the interrelationship between the remaining components of 
the device which are removed from the point of the surgical procedure. 
As further referenced in FIG. 5, upon positioning indicator arm 17 at its 
appropriate and selected location as related to calibration arm 11, screw 
member 26 is rotated so as to tighten upon arm member 25 so as to rigidly 
position indicator arm 17 in relationship to calibration arm 11. In so 
doing, there is in effect, the selected positioning of guiding edge 16 of 
aligning member 15 with guiding edge 21 of aligning member 20 so as to 
define the pre-determined acute angle desired with regard to achieving the 
acute angle osteotomy cut in the bone in question. 
In further keeping with the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 5, 
surgical instrument 10 is compressed against the bone in question such 
that spike member 24 is compressed against the surface of said bone 
thereby providing a second point of anchoring surgical instrument 10 in 
relationship to the bone in question separate and apart from the 
mechanical anchoring achieved by the interrelationship between cylindrical 
spike 28 and fastening pin 22. As a result thereof, there is achieved a 
mechanical alignment of surgical instrument 10 with regard to the bone in 
question which is not subject to accidental dislodging or movement so as 
to cause errors associated with the cutting of the bone in question. 
Once surgical instrument 10 is so positioned and anchored in place as 
discussed above, the acute angle osteotomy cut can now be accomplished in 
accordance with the invention by causing the cutting implement, be it a 
saw, or otherwise, to be guided along guiding edge 16 and guiding edge 21. 
It should further be noted that the positioning of surgical spike 28 in 
accordance with the invention, additionally assists the surgeon in 
utilizing surgical instrument 10 in making said acute angle osteotomy cut 
in that the vertical extension of surgical spike 28 as illustrated in FIG. 
5 defines a vertical plane between itself and guiding edge 16 as well as 
defining a second vertical plane between itself and guiding edge 21. The 
relevance of the above is that upon a surgeon seeking to make the cuts 
along guiding edge 16 and guiding edge 21, said surgeon is presented with 
the concerns that the cut should be perpendicular to the bone in question 
and not canted off center. By aligning the plane of the saw blade utilized 
to accomplish said bone cut with surgical spike 28 as said cut is made, 
there is achieved means to avoid the tilting and/or canting of said saw 
blade as the cut is made so as to achieve, in effect, an appropriate 
vertical cut into said bone. In this fashion, a greater degree of surgical 
precision is achievable with regard to said cuts as referred to above that 
was not available with regard to prior art devices and/or procedures. 
In keeping with the invention, and as should be obvious from the above, the 
incision in question is minimal in utilization of surgical instrument 10 
since that portion of surgical instrument 10 that is in conjunction with 
the surgical opening only encompasses the area of surgical instrument 10 
defined by pedestal member 14, aligning member 15, pedestal member 19, 
aligning member 20 and fastening pin 22. Additionally, and as a further 
feature of the invention in question, surgical instrument 10 allows for 
the setting of the angle of cut defined between guiding edge 16 and 
guiding edge 21 by manipulating an indicator arm 17 in relationship to 
calibration arm 11 as discussed above, same occurring outside of the 
incision area thus allowing for minimal trauma to the area undergoing said 
medical procedure. 
Additionally, it should further be noted that in conjunction with the 
operative procedure depicted in FIG. 5 and the utilization of surgical 
instrument 10 associated therewith, surgical instrument 10 further 
provides the additional advantage due to its construction in that 
calibration arm 11 provides, in effect, a handle which can be grasped by 
the surgeon performing the bone cut which, due to the inherent features of 
surgical instrument 10 provides a means to steady and otherwise manipulate 
the positioning of the bone in question as said surgeon utilizes the 
cutting implement in question be it an electrical rotational saw blade, or 
otherwise, in his other hand such that upon coordinating both the bone 
position and the placement of the cutting blade, there is achieved an 
accurate cut of bone not available by utilizing prior art devices. 
In conjunction with the above, it should further be noted that it is also 
within the scope of the invention, that the utilization of surgical 
instrument 10 should not only be applicable to providing guidance in the 
cutting of bone associated with a toe as illustrated in FIG. 5, but 
rather, is applicable to such cutting as related to any skeletal elements 
of the body where such incisions are part of a medical procedure. 
Additionally, and in further keeping with the invention, it is also within 
the scope of the invention, although not illustrated in the drawings, to 
have aligning member 15 and aligning member 20 of surgical instrument 10 
define an arched surface as opposed to a flat planar surface as depicted 
in FIG. 5, said arched planar surface being characteristic of the 
utilization of surgical instrument 10 in conjunction with application to 
other bone cutting procedures wherein it is desirous to have said arched 
surface, in effect, curl around or otherwise conform with the curvature of 
the bone area undergoing said cutting procedure. 
It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the 
following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of 
the invention, but are not restrictive thereof. 
The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a part 
hereof, are illustrative of the invention but not restrictive thereof, 
and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the 
invention.