Device for magnetically targeting locking holes in orthopedic hardware

• Main Author: ALFRED A. DURHAM
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.02.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: DIAGNOSIS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; SURGERY

A device is provided for targeting transverse locking holes for locking screws or pins in an elongate hollow orthopedic locking rod. Such rods are inserted into the intramedullary canal of a bone of a patient that is being fixed in place by the rod. The device includes a tubular drill guide member having a drill guide bore therethrough for receiving a drill. The drill, when aligned with a target locking hole, is used in drilling through the bone via the target locking hole. The guide member has a distal end adapted to be brought into contact with the bone. A target magnet or magnet assembly is inserted into the longitudinal bore in the locking element to a position adjacent to, and proximally offset from, the target locking hole. A magnetic targeting unit is mounted for movement on the drill guide member in laterally offset relation to the drill guide bore. The unit is used to sense the location of the target magnet and produces an output (e.g., a light or buzzer signal) when the magnetic targeting unit is aligned with the target magnet and thus the drill guide bore is aligned with the target locking hole.