TOOL AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL ACQUISITION OF A TIBIAL MECHANICAL AXIS

摘要

A method for determining a mechanical axis of a tibia using a tibial digitizer is disclosed. The method includes: determining an upper reference point on a tibial plateau corresponding to an entry point of the mechanical axis; fastening an upper mounting end of the tibial digitizer to the tibial plateau at the upper reference point; and fastening a lower mounting end of the tibial digitizer to medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle, by inwardly displacing opposed caliper arms of a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism toward each other in a common plane until the caliper arms abut the malleoli. A lower reference point located at a midpoint between the medial and lateral malleoli is then determined by identifying a corresponding midpoint between the caliper arms when they are clamped onto the medial and lateral malleoli.

主权项

1. A method for determining a mechanical axis of a tibia using a tibial digitizer having an upper mounting end, a lower mounting end and an alignment rod extending therebetween, the method comprising:
determining an upper reference point on a tibial plateau of the tibia, the upper reference point being an entry point of the mechanical axis; fastening the upper mounting end of the tibial digitizer to the tibial plateau at the upper reference point; fastening the lower mounting end of the tibial digitizer to medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle, by inwardly displacing opposed caliper arms of a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism toward each other in a common plane until the caliper arms abut the medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle; determining a lower reference point located at a midpoint between the medial and lateral malleoli by identifying a corresponding midpoint between the caliper arms of the self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism when the caliper arms are clamped onto the medial and lateral malleoli; and adjusting an orientation of the alignment rod such that the alignment rod is aligned with an anatomical landmark on the tibia.