US 12,295,632 B1
System and method for scaphoid fixation
Matthew C. DeWolf, Lebanon, NH (US); Alexander Hartov, Enfield, NH (US); and Lance G. Warhold, Norwich, VT (US)
Assigned to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic and, Lebanon, NH (US); and The Trustees of Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (US)
Filed by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Lebanon, NH (US); and The Trustees of Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (US)
Filed on Oct. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/380,569.
Application 17/751,161 is a division of application No. 16/018,218, filed on Jun. 26, 2018, granted, now 11,337,744, issued on May 24, 2022.
Application 18/380,569 is a continuation of application No. 17/751,161, filed on May 23, 2022, granted, now 11,786,283.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/525,158, filed on Jun. 26, 2017.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/88 (2006.01); A61B 17/86 (2006.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.01); A61B 90/10 (2016.01); A61B 90/11 (2016.01); A61B 90/14 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/56 (2006.01); A61B 17/90 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/8897 (2013.01) [A61B 17/864 (2013.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.02); A61B 90/10 (2016.02); A61B 90/11 (2016.02); A61B 90/14 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/564 (2013.01); A61B 17/90 (2021.08); A61B 2034/107 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3762 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for installing a k-wire in which a support frame for a guide block is secured relative to a fractured bone of a patient based upon a three-dimensional scan of the fractured bone and the support frame containing the fractured bone in the same three-dimensional space, the system comprising:
a processor, configured to run a design process including:
plot a trajectory for a k-wire through the fractured bone, with the trajectory in the same three-dimensional space;
identify the location of the support frame relative to the fractured bone and the trajectory in the three-dimensional space; and
design a k-wire brace with a central lumen, wherein the k-wire brace is designed to fit within the support frame, and wherein the central lumen is aligned along the trajectory when the k-wire brace is inserted within the support frame;
wherein the k-wire brace is secured within the support frame; and
wherein the k-wire brace is configured to be prepared by a surgeon or a medical professional.