Lawrence F Shaffer

US Patent:

57887055, Aug 4, 1998

Filed:

Dec 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/575865

Inventors:

H. Dennis Huddleston - Encino CA
Ian P. Murray - Phoenix MD
Lawrence F. Shaffer - New Freedom PA

Assignee:

Osteoimplant Technology Incorporated - Hunt Valley MD

International Classification:

A61B 1758

US Classification:

606102

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for realigning the pelvis, femoral head, femur, trochanter, and acetabulum of a patient during a hip joint replacement procedure being performed on the patient. Prior to replacing the hip of the patient with a prosthesis, a pin is inserted into the patient's pelvis. The pin has a plurality of weakened areas of reduced cross-section formed along its length so that the pin is capable of being bent at approximately a 90. degree. angle at each of the weakened areas. The pin is used to establish a point of reference as to the leg length and the desired orientation of the prosthetic joint.