Systems and apparatuses for manipulating bendable allografts

Inventors

Ateshian, Gerard AgopZimmerman, Brandon KendrickPetersen, Courtney AdairRosenwasser, Melvin P.

Assignees

Columbia University in the City of New York

Publication Number

US-12390239-B2

Publication Date

2025-08-19

Expiration Date

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Abstract

A Surgical forceps device comprising a pair of shanks and a clamping jaw portion, the clamping jaw surfaces set at an angle that produces a desired angular position for grasping a bendable osteochondral allograft.

Core Innovation

A surgical forceps device and surgical clamp system are provided comprising first and second shanks each including a distal jaw portion with inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces, the first and second shanks configured to pivot between open and closed configurations with the distal jaw portions disposed in adjacent relationship in the closed configuration. The jaw portions include tapered clamping surfaces set at an angle with respect to the pivot axis to produce a desired angular position for grasping a bendable osteochondral allograft, and the system can include a tubular member having a lumen for receiving a guidewire, the second end of the tubular member having an outer diameter configured to be received within an opening in the second shank.

The disclosure addresses the need for a surgical device capable of effectively aligning, and allowing for trimming and handling of a bendable allograft during surgery without interference of wires and screws, and aims to guide fixation of allografts, allow proper alignment for trimming and handling, and firmly secure the allograft. The devices include features such as jaw openings or slots to accommodate guidewires, screws, or tubes and positioning mechanisms to maintain parallel alignment of the jaw portions as the shanks move between open and closed positions.

Claims Coverage

Three main inventive features are extracted from the independent claim of the patent.

Forceps device with first and second shanks and distal jaw portions

A forceps device comprising first and second shanks, each shank comprising a distal jaw portion having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, the first and second shanks configured to pivot about a pivot axis between open and closed configurations, wherein the distal jaw portions are disposed in adjacent relationship in the closed configuration, the jaw portion of the second shank defining an opening therethrough from said inwardly facing surface to said outwardly facing surface.

Tapered inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces opposed across the jaws

Wherein the respective inwardly facing surface associated with the jaw portion of the first shank opposes the respective inwardly facing surface associated with the jaw portion of the second shank and wherein the respective inwardly facing surface and outwardly facing surface are tapered at an angle relative to the pivot axis.

Tubular member with lumen configured to be received within the opening

A tubular member having first and second opposing ends and a lumen therethrough for receiving a guidewire, wherein the second end of the tubular member includes an outer diameter configured to be received within the opening in the second shank.

The independent claim principally covers a pivoting forceps with opposing tapered jaw surfaces and jaw openings, combined with a tubular guide member for a guidewire, with the tapered geometry and the tubular member configured to interface with the jaw opening.

Stated Advantages

Effectively aligning, and allowing for trimming and handling of a bendable allograft during surgery without interference of wires and screws.

Clamping jaw surfaces set at an angle that produces a desired angular position for grasping a bendable osteochondral allograft.

Textured inwardly facing surfaces, including serrated or knurled surfaces, to allow further grasping and secure engagement of the customized bendable osteochondral allograft and to minimize slippage.

Positioning mechanisms and linkage arrangements configured to maintain a parallel alignment or parallel orientation of the jaw portions to securely position a bent osteochondral allograft.

Documented Applications

Manipulating osteochondral allografts that need to be bent about a single axis, including osteochondral allografts used in the thumb basal joint (also known as the thumb trapeziometacarpal joint or thumb carpometacarpal joint).

Guiding insertion of a guidewire and a hollow compression screw through a clamped bendable allograft by mating a tubular member with an opening in a jaw and introducing the guidewire through the tubular member lumen.

Receiving and accommodating proud wires, screws, or other anchors in openings or recesses in the clamping jaws so the clamping surfaces remain flush with the allograft during securing and trimming.

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