Adjustable glenoid pin insertion guide

Abstract

A system and method for aligning a guiding pin relative to a glenoid including a guiding pin insertion guide for orienting the guiding pin relative to the anatomic structure and an axis alignment device. The guiding pin insertion guide includes a base plate and a movable pin orientation device coupled to and extending from the base plate. The axis alignment device has a plurality of through holes that each define a different alignment axis. The guiding pin mates with one of the through holes to align the guiding pin at a patient-specific alignment axis, the guiding pin is then received within the guiding pin insertion guide when mated with the one of the through holes In align the guiding pin insertion guide along the patient-specific alignment axis relative to the base plate, and the guiding pin insertion guide is fixed to the base plate along the patient-specific alignment axis.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for aligning a guiding pin relative to an anatomic structure, the system comprising:
 a guiding pin insertion guide for orienting the guiding pin relative to the anatomic structure, the guiding pin insertion guide including a base plate and a pin orientation device coupled to and extending from the base plate, the pin orientation device being movable relative to the base plate.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the base plate includes an alignment device for aligning the base plate with a location visible on the anatomic structure, and for aligning the base plate relative to the axis alignment device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the base plate is shaped to include an apex, and the alignment device is defined by the apex. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pin orientation device is hollow, and includes a bulbous portion that movably mates with the base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the bulbous portion allows the pin orientation device to articulate relative to the base plate and lock into place. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an axis alignment device, the axis alignment device having a plurality of through holes, each of the through holes defining a different alignment axis. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein one of the through holes is configured to align the guiding pin at an orientation that is substantially aligned with a patient-specific alignment axis, 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of through holes are arranged in an array defined by a coordinate system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each through hole defines a different alignment axis by a predetermined angular amount, defined by the coordinate system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the guiding pin insertion guide is configured to receive the guiding pin when the guiding pin is mated with a through hole of an axis alignment device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , and the guiding pin insertion guide is configured to be fixed to the base plate along the patient-specific alignment axis 
     
     
         13 . A system for aligning a guiding pin relative to a glenoid, comprising:
 an axis alignment device, the axis alignment device including a first surface and a second surface having a plurality of through holes arranged in a coordinated array extending between the first surface and the second surface, each of the through holes defining a different alignment axis,   wherein one of the through holes is configured to align the guiding pin at an orientation that is at least proximate a patient-specific alignment axis defined by a patient-specific coordinate of the array.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each through hole defines a different alignment axis by a predetermined angular amount. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined angular amount is defined by the coordinate system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the base plate includes an alignment device for aligning the base plate with a location visible on the glenoid, and for aligning the base plate relative to the axis alignment device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the base plate is shaped to include an apex, and the alignment device is defined by the apex. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pin orientation device is hollow, and includes a bulbous portion that movably mates with the base plate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the bulbous portion allows the pin orientation device to articulate relative to the base plate and lock into place. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the guiding pin insertion guide and the alignment axis device are reusable. 
     
     
         21 . A system for aligning a guiding pin relative to an anatomic structure, the system comprising:
 a guiding pin insertion guide for orienting the guiding pin relative to the anatomic structure, the guiding pin insertion guide including a base plate and a pin orientation device coupled to and extending from the base plate, the pin orientation device being movable relative to the base plate; and   an axis alignment device, the axis alignment device including a first surface and a second surface having a plurality of through holes extending between the first surface and the second surface, each of the through holes defining a different alignment axis,   wherein one of the through holes is configured to align the guiding pin at an orientation that is substantially aligned with a patient-specific alignment axis,   the guiding pin insertion guide is configured to receive the guiding pin when the guiding pin is mated with one of the through holes to align the guiding pin insertion guide along the patient-specific alignment axis relative to the base plate,   and the guiding pin insertion guide is configured to be fixed to the base plate along the patient-specific alignment axis.