Allograft templates and methods of use

Abstract

Allograft templates and methods of use are disclosed where a template for resecting a tissue region may generally comprise a template frame having a surface for contacting the tissue region and which defines an open area of tissue to be resected. One or more inner guidance slots may be defined along the frame such that the inner guidance slots are spaced relative to one another to define the tissue within the open area to be resected from a patient. Additionally, one or more outer guidance slots may also be defined along the frame and aligned adjacent to the inner guidance slots. The outer guidance slots may be spaced relative to one another to define the tissue to be resected from a donor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A template for resecting a tissue region, comprising:
 a template frame having a surface for contacting the tissue region and which defines an open area of tissue to be resected;   one or more inner guidance slots defined along the frame, where the inner guidance slots are spaced relative to one another to define the tissue within the open area to be resected from a patient; and,   one or more outer guidance slots defined along the frame and aligned adjacent to the inner guidance slots, where the outer guidance slots are spaced relative to one another to define the tissue to be resected from a donor.   
     
     
         2 . The template of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a first portion which lies along a first plane and a second curved portion which extends and curves in an arcuate manner away from the first portion along a second plane. 
     
     
         3 . The template of  claim 1  further comprising a cross member extending between the frame for providing structural support and stability. 
     
     
         4 . The template of  claim 1  further comprising one or more handles attached along the cross member. 
     
     
         5 . The template of  claim 1  further comprising one or more supporting flanges integrated to extend outwardly along one or both sides of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The template of  claim 1  wherein the inner guidance slots and outer guidance slots are defined parallel to one another along the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The template of  claim 1  wherein the outer guidance slots are formed at an angle relative to the inner guidance slots along the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The template of  claim 7  wherein the angle of the outer guidance slots is 2.5 degrees relative to the inner guidance slots. 
     
     
         9 . The template of  claim 1  wherein a shape of the frame is variable according to a shape of the tissue to be resected. 
     
     
         10 . The template of  claim 1  further comprising one or more saws which are insertable through the inner guidance slots and outer guidance slots. 
     
     
         11 . The template of  claim 10  wherein the one or more saws define one or more markers or visual indicators therealong. 
     
     
         12 . The template of  claim 10  wherein the one or more saws comprise a tapered portion which tapers into a relatively thicker section and terminates in a cutting edge. 
     
     
         13 . The template of  claim 1  wherein the frame defines one or more openings sized for a securement wire or pin. 
     
     
         14 . The template of  claim 13  further comprising one or more securement wires or pins for insertion through the one or more openings. 
     
     
         15 . The template of  claim 14  wherein the one or more securement wires or pins define markings or visual indicators along their lengths. 
     
     
         16 . A method of resecting a tissue region, comprising:
 securing a template frame upon a first tissue region to be resected, where the frame defines an open area of the first tissue to be resected;   resecting the first tissue by cutting along one or more inner guidance slots defined along the frame;   removing the template frame from the first tissue region;   securing the template frame upon a second tissue region to be resected, where the frame defines the open area of the second tissue to be resected; and,   resecting the second tissue by cutting along one or more outer guidance slots defined along the frame.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein securing a template frame upon a first tissue region comprises securing the template frame to a bone of a patient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein securing the template frame upon a second tissue region comprises securing the template frame to a bone of a donor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein securing a template frame upon a first tissue region comprises securing the template frame to a talus bone of a patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein securing a template frame upon a first tissue region comprises securing the template via one or more securement wires inserted into the first tissue to be resected. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein resecting the first tissue comprises cutting along one or more inner guidance slots via a surgical saw. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising controlling a cutting depth of the saw. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein controlling comprises monitoring the cutting depth via one or more visual indicators defined along the saw. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein removing the template frame further comprises removing the first tissue. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16  wherein securing the template frame upon a second tissue region comprises securing the template via one or more securement wires inserted into tissue adjacent to the second tissue region to be resected. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16  wherein resecting the second tissue comprises cutting along one or more outer guidance slots via a surgical saw. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising controlling a cutting depth of the saw. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein controlling comprises monitoring the cutting depth via one or more visual indicators defined along the saw. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16  wherein resecting the second tissue comprises cutting along the one or more outer guidance slots at an angle relative to the inner guidance slots. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16  wherein resecting the second tissue comprises removing the second tissue, where the second tissue is larger than a channel defined by the first tissue. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising implanting the second tissue into the channel defined by the first tissue. 
     
     
         32 . A template assembly for resecting a tissue region, comprising:
 a first template for placement upon a bone of a donor, where the first template comprises a first frame which defines an open area of tissue upon the bone of the donor;   a second template for placement upon a bone of a patient, where the second template comprises a second frame which defines an open area of tissue upon the bone of the patient; and,   a guide housing which defines a receiving channel for tissue, where the guide housing is further configured to engage the open area of the first template and the open area of the second template.   
     
     
         33 . The template assembly of  claim 32  wherein the guide housing defines one or more openings through which one or more corresponding securement wires or pins are insertable. 
     
     
         34 . The template assembly of  claim 32  wherein the first template defines a contact surface for placement against the bone of the donor and comprises a curved portion for conforming against the bone, the first template defining one or more openings for insertion of one or more securement wires or pins. 
     
     
         35 . The template assembly of  claim 32  wherein the second template defines a contact surface for placement against the bone of the patient and comprises a curved portion for conforming against the bone. 
     
     
         36 . A method for resecting a tissue region, comprising:
 securing a first template upon a first tissue region to be resected, where the first template defines an open area of the first tissue to be resected;   engaging a guide housing along the first template over the open area of the first tissue;   resecting the first tissue by cutting along first guidance slots defined between the first template and the guide housing;   engaging a second template upon a second tissue region to be resected, where the second template defines an open area of the second tissue to be resected;   engaging the guide housing along the second template over the open area of the second tissue; and   resecting the second tissue by cutting along second guidance slots defined between the second template and the guide housing.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein securing a first template comprises securing the first template to a bone of a patient. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein resecting the first tissue comprises cutting initially along a bottom of the guide housing. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising cutting along a distal portion of the guide housing. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  wherein engaging a second template comprises securing the second template to tissue adjacent to the second tissue. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36  wherein resecting the second tissue comprises cutting initially along a bottom of the guide housing. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising cutting along a distal portion of the guide housing. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36  wherein resecting the second tissue comprises removing the second tissue. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising implanting the second tissue into a channel defined by the first tissue.