Abstract:
A dynamic foot plate assembly structured for therapeutic use adjacent the ankle area of the body comprising a base element, at least one side element extending along the ankle area, and at least one joint movably and adjustably connecting the base element to the side element for variable displacement of the base element and side element into different operative orientations. The dynamic foot plate assembly may also comprise a plurality of strut members disposed in an interconnecting relationship between either a support member and a side element, or the support member and the base element. The strut members, if present, facilitate the variable relative displacement of the base element, side element and support element into different operative orientations.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is based on a claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to a provisional patent application filed with the U.S. Patent Office on Mar. 14, 2013, and assigned Ser. No. 61/782,286. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention is directed to a support assembly for use in operative placement relative to and treatment of the ankle area including the ankle joint, foot and correspondingly disposed lower leg bones. The assembly allows for a variable orientation of at least one of its members, at least one of which is structured for the disposition of at least one transfixion pin for the engagement and treatment of a patient&#39;s ankle area. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In the medical treatment of pathologies including, but not limited to, injuries, fractures, etc. to the bone and joints, external fixator assemblies are commonly used to maintain segments of the bone in an intended and/or required stabilized orientation. By way of example, fixator assemblies of the type described may be utilized to treat the fusion of bone tissue as well soft tissue injuries, and situations involving a union of bones which otherwise are difficult to heal. As such, known or conventional fixator assemblies vary in structure, dimension and configuration and are correspondingly adapted to be used with various portions of the body to which they are attached. 
         [0006]    Typical fixator structures include at least one connecting bars or rods as well a plurality of clamps for adjustably securing fixation pins, wires, etc. to the bone portions being affected. Further, transfixion pins or wires of the types commonly utilized may extend completely through the bony tissue or may be anchored therein, such as when the long bones of the leg are involved directly or indirectly with the treatment or healing procedure. Further, the term “transfixion member” is generally recognized in the medical field as including the describing of elongated pins which extend completely or at least partially through the bony tissue involved. In contrast, smaller, thicker “half pins” may be utilized in substantially the same manner to stabilize affected tissue but being of a length insufficient to extend completely through the affected bone, joint, etc. This term may also be used in a more generic sense in referring to stabilizing devices, other than pins, such as wires, reduction wires, screws, clamps, etc. 
         [0007]    In addition, known external fixator assemblies of the type described may also include support rings which encircle a corresponding body member, wherein such rings or like support elements serve as a supportive base to facilitate proper location of the aforementioned transfixion members. Accordingly, it is commonly understood in the medical profession that fixator assemblies are used to maintain proper orientation of one or more of bones or bone segments relative to one another to facilitate healing or alignment. 
         [0008]    However, the proper stabilization of tissue typically associated with the joint areas of a patient&#39;s body such as, but not limited to, the ankle joint as well as the wrist and other smaller bones associated with the hand involves additional considerations. 
         [0009]    It would therefore be beneficial to implement a technology that incorporates dynamic aspects to allow for the acute and/or gradual relocation of a foot, ankle or leg deformity. With the dynamic properties of the assembly, a foot, ankle or leg soft tissue and bony pathology can be corrected. In addition, the calibration of the movable components of the assembly allows for ease of use and increased accuracy of adjustments, allowing the surgeon to correct complicated deformities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention is directed to a dynamic foot plate assembly primarily, but not exclusively, structured for placement adjacent an ankle area of the body. As referred to herein, the term “ankle area” is intended to describe the ankle joint, as well as bones and associated tissue of the foot and lower portions of the leg including the fibula and tibia. Further, in properly describing the intended position and orientation of the various preferred embodiments of the external fixator assembly of the present invention, terminology including “length of the ankle area” and/or “height of the ankle area” may be utilized synonymously. These terms are meant to refer to the general distance between the bottom of the foot and an area of the lower part of the leg above the ankle joint. Further the ankle area, as used herein, is meant to be descriptive of the bones and other tissue associated with the foot, ankle joint and lower leg which serve to facilitate the functioning of the ankle joint and intended, relative movements of the corresponding foot and leg connected to the ankle joint. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, the dynamic foot plate assembly includes a configuration of side elements and joints connected to a base element intended to be disposed adjacent to the ankle area. The side elements are structured to support at least one transfixion pin or like transfixion member in operative engagement with the bones or other associated tissue of the ankle area. Consequently, assembly includes at least one base segment preferably, but not necessarily, having a curvilinear configuration substantially in the form of an arc and or/semi-circle operatively disposed at the medial and lateral longitudinal segments. 
         [0012]    In addition, the assembly includes a configuration of joints and side elements attached to the base element and extending transversely from the base element and adjacent the ankle area. The joints and side elements are movably connected and structured to allow variable disposition of the side elements relative to the base element, including but not limited to rotation, raising/lowering, hinging/tilting, and varying the longitudinal spacing/telescoping of the configuration. Some joints may further capable of being locked or fixed, allowing for the configuration of joints and side elements to become fixed relative to one another. Joints can subsequently be unlocked, restoring the ability for the configuration to once again be articulated. 
         [0013]    Further, at least one strut member, which may work in concert with at least one joint, extends from a support member, disposed adjacent the ankle and above the base element, and can be connected to either a base element or a side element to allow for the relative disposition of the dynamic foot plate array into a desired orientation for treatment. 
         [0014]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a base element as previously described movably interconnected to two joints, each disposed on an opposing side of the ankle, which are in turn movably interconnected to a pair of side elements extending transversely along opposing sides of the ankle. A pair of strut members are structured to movably interconnect the base element to a support member disposed adjacent to the ankle. A second pair of strut members are structured to movably interconnect the support member to the aforementioned side elements. The four strut members and two joints are structured to cooperatively dispose the base element, side elements and support member into a desired orientation for treatment of the ankle and related areas of the lower leg. 
         [0015]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view in partial cutaway of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view in partial cutaway of the joint of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view in partial cutaway of the joint of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view in partial cutaway of the joint of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view in partial cutaway of the joint of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view in partial cutaway of a plurality of strut members of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view in partial cutaway of one of a plurality of strut members as disposed in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a front view in partial cutaway of one of a plurality of strut members, with thin lines used for clarity to contrast the depiction of the internal structure of the strut member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention when operatively positioned relative to an ankle area of a patient. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  when operatively positioned relative to an ankle area of a patient. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a view in partial cutaway of one of a plurality of strut members as structured in another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a view in partial cutaway of one of a plurality of joints as structured in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    As represented in the accompanying figures, the present invention is directed to a dynamic foot plate assembly generally indicated as  1 . As demonstrated the dynamic foot plate assembly  1  is structured to be operatively position and used in a location substantially adjacent the ankle area  100  of a patent as indicated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . As set forth above, the ankle area  100  is meant to be descriptive of substantially the entire area, which includes the ankle joint, foot, corresponding portions of the leg bones, including the fibula and tibia, as well as the associated components and tissue. In addition, the terms “height” and “length” of the ankle area  100  are used synonymously herein and refer to the distance from substantially the bottom of the foot, as at, to at least a portion of the long bones of the leg, as at  100 . 
         [0032]    Accordingly, the dynamic foot plate assembly  1  comprises a base element generally indicated as  20  movably interconnected to at least one joint generally indicated as  30 . In  FIG. 11 , a possible alternate embodiment of a joint is given at  30 ′. With reference to  FIG. 6 , additionally, the foot plate assembly  1  further comprises at least one strut member generally indicated as  60  interconnected to at least one support member generally indicated as  50  and at least one side element generally indicated as  10 . With primary reference to  FIG. 1 , the base element  20  defining at least a portion of the dynamic foot plate assembly  1  in the preferred embodiment includes a curvilinear configuration which may be more specifically defined by an arcuate or semi-circular shape, but any suitable shape will suffice. As such, the base element  20  terminates in oppositely disposed free ends  22 . Further, a plurality of apertures  21  or other appropriate structure are positioned substantially along the length of the base element  20 , at least one side element  10 , and the support member  50 , and are provided to facilitate connection of at least one fixation struts preferably using fixation bolts, which are not shown for purposes of clarity. Such struts and interconnecting fixation bolts are used to support and/or dispose the base segment  20  in a stabilized position relative to the ankle area  100 . The opposite ends of such struts, to which the base segment  20  is connected, may be secured to a halo-type ring located above the ankle area  100  along the length of the leg and in surrounding relations to the bones of the leg. Such anchoring of the halo ring provides stabilizing support to the base element  20  by virtue of the interconnection between the halo ring and the base element  20  by the plurality of strut members. 
         [0033]    With primary reference to  FIG. 1 , the joint  30  as depicted in the preferred embodiment comprises a joint housing  34 , an extension element  32 , and a pivot element  33 . The joint housing  34  can be made of any sufficiently rigid or sturdy material, such as and in the depicted embodiment is centrally apertured to receive the extension element  32 , which extends substantially into and, in this case, through the joint housing  34 . In other embodiments, the extension element  32  may only partially recess into the joint housing. The joint housing  34  in the preferred embodiment is curvilinear about its circumference, but any suitable geometric configuration will suffice. The joint housing  34  also features a set of flanges  31  extending linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the joint housing  34 . The flanges  31  facilitate a confronting engagement with the adjoining structure which, in the depicted embodiment is the base element  20 , but in alternative embodiments may be another part of the dynamic foot plate assembly  1  such as a side element  10  properly configured for similar confronting engagement of the flanges  31 . The flanges  31  maintain interconnection between the joint housing  34  and the base element  20  while simultaneously facilitating linear movement substantially resembling sliding in the direction of the extension of the flanges  31  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This sliding, or vertical displacement, confers a significant benefit to a medical professional using the dynamic foot plate assembly  1  by allowing the adjustment into a desired orientation by varying the disposition of the base element  20  relative to at least one side element  10  both prior to the onset of and during treatment. 
         [0034]    The extension element  32  may be a longitudinal member that extends wholly or substantially through the aperture of the joint housing  34 . The extension element  32  is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the joint housing  34 . The extension element  32  may resemble a screw, bolt or other threaded rod-like structure capable of extension through or partially through the aperture of the joint housing  34 . The extension element  32  in the preferred embodiment is a threaded longitudinal member, with the threads extending substantially along the outer length of the extension element  32  and facilitating a frictional confronting engagement with opposing threads lining the interior of the central aperture of the joint housing  34 . The structure of the extension element  32  allows for the variable disposition or displacement of the base element  20  and at least one side element  10 , or alternatively between two side elements  10 , directed along the axis of the joint housing  34 . This is depicted in  FIG. 4 . Variable disposition is achieved by rotation of the extension element  32  about its axis, which can either extend or retract the extension element  32  through the aperture of the joint housing  34  via the utilization of the threads extending substantially along the length of the extension element  32 . 
         [0035]    Attached to the extension element  32  or, alternatively, one end of the extension element  32  itself, is a pivot element  33  structured for an at least partially universal range of motion. The pivot element  33  may substantially resemble a ball in socket. The pivot element  33  is The pivot element  33  facilitates a tilting motion defined as the variance of the angular disposition of the axis of the side element  10  relative to the base element  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Alternatively, in another embodiment, the joint  30  could be configured to connect two side elements  10 , allowing for a similar tilting motion by way of the pivot element  33 , disposed in a socket in one of the two side elements  10 , to vary the angular disposition of the axes between the two side elements  10 . The pivot element  33  also facilitates the relative varying of the disposition of a base element  20  and a side element  10 , as shown in the preferred embodiment, or between two side elements  10 , in a lateral direction toward or away from the ankle. Finally, the joint  30  may also facilitate a rotational or rotary movement in such a way that does not vary the angular disposition of the base element  20  and side element  10 , or as between two side elements  10 . It is important to note that none of these movements is exclusive of any other, and indeed the varying of relative disposition of a side element  10  with either a base element  20  or another side element  10  facilitated by the pivot element  33  can be a compound movement that consist of at least one of the aforementioned motions, tilting, lateral or rotary, necessary for a medical professional or other operator to properly dispose a side element  10  into a predetermined orientation to effect treatment. 
         [0036]    Another embodiment of the joint is given at  30 ′ as shown in  FIG. 13 . This embodiment may further comprise a nut  36  or similar centrally apertured structure disposed upon the extension element  32  and coaxially aligned therewith. The nut  36  is capable of translation along the extension element  32  and can be caused to be placed in confronting engagement with the side element  10 . This confronting engagement between the nut  36  and the side element  10  restricts or eliminates the movement of the side element  10  facilitated by the pivot element  33  as described above. Additionally, the joint  30 ′ may comprise an alternate embodiment of a joint housing  34 ′ interconnected to a base element  20  or side element  10 . This joint housing  34 ′ may comprise a plurality of bolts, nuts, or other compression elements, given as  35 . These compression elements  35  may be threaded such that a rotational force, such as with a screwdriver, hex key, wrench, etc. is applied about the central axis, the head of any one of the compression elements  35  exerts a compressive force upon the joint housing  34 ′. The result of the compressive force is to increase the frictional forces exerted upon the extension element  32 , causing the extension element  32  to become frictionally locked in a desired orientation. Consequently, the joint housing  34 ′ may be structured in such a way that the frictional force component of the frictional confronting engagement, as previously described, exerted upon the extension element  32  by the joint housing  34 ′ is capable of being varied. One possible way of doing that is by the inclusion of a gap  37  or similar spacing between two separate parts  37 ′,  37 ″ of the joint housing  34 ′, in which the extension element  32  is disposed. As such, a compressive force exerted by a compression element  35 , through e.g. a rotation of the compression element  35  as described above, causes the gap  37  to decrease in width, resulting in the substantially fixed “clamping” of the extension element  32  there between. Consequently, the two parts  37 ′,  37 ″ of the joint housing  34 ′ are forced together, and in turn increase the compression and thus frictional forces, i.e. clamping forces, exerted upon the extension element  32 . Thus, the extension element  32  is sandwiched between the two parts  37 ′,  37 ″, causing the extension element  32  to become frictionally locked or clamped in a desired orientation. Rotating the compression element or elements  35  in the opposite direction causes the gap  37  to widen, decreasing the aforementioned clamping forces and unlocking the compression element  32 , restoring its capability for previously described movement. 
         [0037]    Additionally, disposed above the base element  20  and at least partially surrounding the ankle is a support member  50 , which is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . With primary reference to  FIG. 6 , the support member  50  has substantially along its length a plurality of apertures for the connection of fixation struts, preferably using fixation bolts, which are known to those practiced in the art and are used to effect treatment of the ankle or lower leg. The support member  50  is preferably curvilinear, with a cross section reminiscent of an ellipse, though any other shape that facilitates disposition that at least partially surrounds the ankle is suitable. At least one strut aperture  51  is present on the support member  50  and extends partway or totally through the support member  50  and allows for attachment of the strut member  60  to the support member  50 . The method of attachment of the preferred embodiment and alternatives will be discussed in detail below. 
         [0038]    With primary reference to  FIG. 8 , a strut member  60  comprises a pair of strut attachment elements  61  that attach one end of the strut member  60  to a support member  50  and the opposing end to the side element  10  or, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a base element  20 . With reference to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , possible alternate embodiments of strut members are given at  60 ′ and  60 ″. Returning to  FIG. 8 , the strut attachment element  61  can be any means of fixed attachment that allows for confronting engagement between the strut member  60  and the desired attaching element, be it the aforementioned side element  10 , base element  20 , or support member  50  such as a threaded bolt or suitably strong adhesive substance. As depicted in the preferred embodiment, the strut attachment element is comprised of a nut that fastens a threaded bolt that passes through an aperture in the desired attaching element to ensure abutment between the attaching element and the strut member  60 . The strut member  60  is structured so as to facilitate the variable disposition of the support member  50 , a base element  20 , and/or a side element  10  relative to the ankle. The strut attachment element  61  that passes through the support member  50  is attached to a first strut member  62  and abuts the support member  50 . The first housing  62  can be socketed or otherwise structured to receive one end of the first hinge  70 , the structure of which will be discussed in detail below. On the opposite end of the first hinge  70  is a second housing  63 . The second housing  63  is socketed at either end, or can be centrally apertured, and is structured to receive one end of the first hinge  70  and one end of the second hinge  71  as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The end of the second hinge  71  is disposed within a third housing, which abuts either a base element  20  or a side element  10  in a confronting engagement facilitated by the second of two strut attachment elements  61 . 
         [0039]    The first hinge  70  is comprised of a primary first hinge member  70 ′, a secondary first hinge member  70 ″, and a hinge fastener  72 . The secondary first hinge member  70 ″ is disposed with a hollow, socket or other similar recess in the first housing  62  in such a way as to facilitate the rotary motion of the secondary first hinge member  70 ″ about its central axis. The exposed end of the secondary first hinge member  70 ″ is apertured to receive a hinge fastener  72 . Abutting the secondary first hinge member  70 ″ is the primary first hinge member  70 ′, which is similarly apertured as shown in  FIG. 8  to receive the hinge fastener  72 . The abutting ends of the primary and secondary first hinge members  70 ′ and  70 ″ are cooperatively structured and configured to pivot about a common axis. 
         [0040]    Additionally, one of a pair of hinge fasteners  72  joins the primary first hinge member  70 ′ and the secondary first hinge member  70 ″ and facilitates their rotational movement about an axis defined by the central axis of the hinge fastener  72 . The hinge fastener  72  can be a bolt and nut or any similar fastening structural composition that allows for tightening to adjust the confrontation between the primary first hinge member  70 ′ and secondary first hinge member  70 ″. By adjusting the confrontation, it is possible to cause the first hinge  70  to become frictionally locked, which is desirable when disposing the dynamic foot plate array  1  into a predetermined position for treatment. When the first hinge  70  is frictionally locked, reducing the tensile forces directed along the central axis of the hinge fastener  72  will restore the ability for the primary first hinge member  70 ′ and secondary joint hinge member  70 ″ to rotate about the aforementioned axis. The primary second hinge member  71 ′ and the secondary second hinge member  72 ″ are similarly attached with the second of a pair of hinge fasteners  72 , the function of which is substantially the same as set forth above. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, a second housing  63 , which may be socketed on each end or else centrally apertured, is structured to receive in one end the primary first hinge member  70 ′ and in the other end the primary second hinge member  71 ′, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The second housing  63  is structured to interconnect the primary members  70 ′ and  71 ′. The second housing  63  is further structured to facilitate the rotational movement of the primary members  70 ′ and  71 ′ about an axis, defined as the central axis of the second housing  63 , independent of the other primary member. 
         [0042]    The second hinge  71  comprises the primary second hinge member  71 ′ and a secondary second hinge member  71 ″ cooperatively structured and configured to pivot about a common axis, defined as the central axis of the aforementioned hinge fastener  72  that joins the two members  71 ′ and  71 ″. 
         [0043]    A third housing  64  is pivotally interconnected to the secondary second hinge member  71 ″, is structured to facilitate an at least partially universal range of motion of the secondary second hinge member  71 ″, and may substantially resemble of that of a ball in socket. 
         [0044]    Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12  and features a locking mechanism providing for the disposition of the strut member  60  into fixed orientation. The third housing  64  comprises at least one, but may comprise a plurality of, apertures structured to receive a locking bolt  80 . The locking bolt  80  is coaxially aligned with the aperture of the third housing  64 . The aperture in the third housing  64  is in abutting confrontation with the locking bolt  80 , and such abutting confrontation is further defined by the complementary threading of the confronting surfaces of the locking bolt  80  and the third housing  64  as is common of a bolt and a nut. As a result, a rotary force upon the locking bolt  80  about its central axis, which as discussed above is aligned with the central axis of the respective aperture of the third housing  64  into which the locking bolt  80  is inserted, causes the locking bolt  80  to translate along the central axis. Consequently, a rotary force, when applied to the locking bolt  80 , can be made to cause the locking bolt  80  to press against the ball of the aforementioned ball in socket assembly, and thereby apply a frictional force sufficient to cause the ball to become frictionally locked and thus unable to move within the socket. The locking bolt  80  may itself be apertured, the aperture  81  being structured to receive a “tool”  82 , defined as a tension member structured to provide the rotary force above described. In other embodiments, the locking bolt  80  may be structured to accommodate alternative types of tools  82 , such as a Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, hex key, socket wrench, etc., to facilitate the rotary operation of the locking bolt  80 . 
         [0045]    Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0046]    Now that the invention has been described,