GB2299197A

GB2299197A - Orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aids

Info

Publication number: GB2299197A
Application number: GB9601003A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Browne-Wilkinson
Original assignee: BROWNE WILKINSON OLIVER
Current assignee: BROWNE WILKINSON OLIVER
Priority date: 1995-03-20
Filing date: 1996-01-18
Publication date: 1996-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-18
Also published as: GB2299197B; GB9505578D0; GB9601003D0

Abstract

An orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aid 1 for demonstrating surgical orthopaedic techniques consists of a facsimile of at least part of a human vertebral column including a plurality of vertebral elements 2 simulating the external appearance of human vertebrae, and a plurality of intervertebral disk elements 5 disposed intermediate the vertebral elements. The vertebral elements 2 and the intervertebral disk elements 5 are provided with central apertures and are releasably secured together by an externally screwthreaded flexible rod 7 extending through apertures and provided with nuts 9 at its ends for securely clamping the elements together. Such an aid is capable of being flexed to simulate anatomical distortions of the human spine, and can be used for demonstrating a wide range of replacement or repair techniques, including fitting of a surgical implant.

Description

"Orthopaedic Human Skeletal Demonstration Aids" This invention relates to orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aids.

In the met can field, it is known to demonstrate surgical techniques using aids specifically provide d for this purpose, since it is impractical to rely solely on demonstration of such teci piques on the human body. To this end there is a need for an orthopaedic demonstrat 'n aid which is capable of simulating anatomical distortions of the human spinal < column due to accident or disease so as to be capable of demonstrating various surgica techniques, including the fitting of surgical implants.

It is an object of the invention tc. provide an orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aid which is capable of demonst. nting surgical orthopaedic techniques in relation to the human spine.

According to the present invention there is pro ides an orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aid for demonstrating surgical orthopaedic techniques, the aid consisting of a facsimile of at least part of a human vertebral column including a plurality of vertebral elements simulating the external appearance c human vertebrae, and a plurality of intervertebral disk elements disposed intermediate the vertebral elements, the vertebral elements and the intervertebral disk elements being provided with central apertures and being releasably secured together by an along e flexible element extending through the apertures.

Such a demonstration aid is particularly convenient in use in that it reproduces the natural anatomical form of the human spine, and can be flexed to simulate a plurality of anatomical distortions that occur in the human spine, for the purpose of demonstrating a wide range of replacement or repair techniques, including fitting of a surgical implant. Furthermore the aid is capable of showing all stages of joint replacement in one demonstration aid.

In order that the invention may be more fuliy understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompan ing drawing in which the single figure shows a perspective view of a preferred de.nonstration aid in accordance with the invention.

The illustrated demonstration aid 1 in the form of a facsimile of the lower part of a human vertebral column comprises five vertebral elements 2 and a sacrum 3 (which is a further vertebral element) which are individually moulded from a synthetic material which is capable of replicating the fine structure of the bone surface in a per se known manner so hat the vertebral elements 2, 3 correctly reproduce the actual external appearance of the lower part of the human vertebral column when put together in the correct order. The vertebral elements 2 and 3 are provided with central apertures 4 and are spaced apart by a plurality of intervertebral disk elements 5 also provided with central apertures (not visible in the figures).The intervertebral disk elements ' are moulded from silicone rubber or polyurethane foam so that their opposing surfaces conform to the abutting surfaces of the vertebral elements 2, 3 so that all the elements 2, 3 and 5 fit together snugly in the manner of actual human vertebrae.

The elements 2, 3 and 5 are held together by an externally screwthreaded flexible rod 7 made of copper which is surrounded by a flexible sleeve 10 made of plastics material and which passes through the central apertures in the elements with an internally screwthreaded nut 9 being provided on each end of the rod 7 in order to securely clamp the elements together. Optionally the abutting surfaces of the elements 2, 3 and 5 are provided with interconnecting means, such as Velcro strips, for connecting the elements together. Furthermore the elements 2 and 3 may be provided with connection means, such as further Velcro pads, on their external surfaces for detachable connection thereto of a facsimile ligament 13 which may be a Velcro strip (Velcro is a Registered Trade Mark). A facsimile spinal cord 8 may also be attached to the elements 2 and 3 by similar connection means.

The flexible sleeve 10 has an external diameter substantially corresponding to the internal diameter of the central apertures so that, when the aid is fully assembled, the 'sleeve 10 ensures that the elements 2, 3 and 5 are held on the rod 7 without substantial movement therebetween. Furthermore the rod 7 may be preformed so as to be slightly curved along its length so that the assembled aid simulates long axial deformity of the human spine, whilst allowing sufficient flexibility of the aid to enable it to be substantially straightened to simulate a straightened human spine. The rod 7 permits such flexing without leading to fracturing of the rod 7 in use.

It will be appreciated that a range of surgical techniques may be practised on such an aid, including cutting into the simulated vertebrae and fitting of a surgical implant. Furthermore, if one or more the vertebral elements 2, 3 has been cut during a particular demonstration, the aid may be subsequently dismantled by release of the nuts 9 and sliding of the elements 2, 3 and 5 along the rod 7 so that the damaged vertebral elements may be replaced by fresh vertebral elements. If required the sacrum 3 may have detachable parts 12, secured in position by Velcro pads for example, which can be replaced when damaged in use. Each of the intervertebral disk elements 5 may be provided with a slit extending between its central aperture and outer surface and enabling the intervertebral disk element 5 to be pulled off the rod 7 from the side if required so that each such element can be removed from between a pair of vertebral elements 2, 3 without first having to remove the vertebral elements 2, 3 from the rod 7.

Claims

1. An orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aid for demonstrating surgical orthopaedic techniques, the aid consisting of a facsimile of at least part of a human vertebral column including a plurality of vertebral elements simulating the external appearance of human vertebrae, and a plurality of intervertebral disk elements disposed intermediate the vertebral elements, the vertebral elements and intervertebral disk elements being provided with central apertures and being releasably secured together by an elongate flexible element extending through the apertures.

2. An aid according to claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible element is a rod provided at at least one end with a detachable clamping member.

3. An aid according to claim 2, wherein the or each clamping member is an internally screwthreaded nut.

4. An aid according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the elongate flexible element is screwthreaded along its length.

5. An aid according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the elongate flexible element is made of a metallic material, such as copper.

6. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate flexible element is slightly curved along its length.

7. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elongate flexible element is surrounded by a flexible sleeve having an external diameter substantially corresponding to the internal diameter of the central apertures.

8. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the intervertebral disk elements are provided with slits to enable them to be removed from the elongate flexible element from the side.

9. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the intervertebral disk elements are made of rubber or a foamed plastics material.

10. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the intervertebral disk elements are moulded so as to have surfaces which conform to the abutting surfaces of the vertebral elements.

11. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vertebral elements and the intervertebral disk elements are provided with releasable interconnecting means, such as Velcro pads, for releasably connecting the elements together.

12. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one facsimile ligament is attached to the vertebral elements.

13. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the vertebral elements are provided with connection means, such as Velcro pads, for detachable connection of at least one facsimile ligament thereto.

14. An aid according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lowermost vertebral element is a facsimile sacrum.

15. An orthopaedic human skeletal demonstration aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.