Methods and devices for trauma welding
First Claim
1. A method for stabilizing a fractured bone, the method comprising:
- positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone;
forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone, the passageway extending from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone;
creating a bonding region on the elongate rod, the bonding region generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex;
positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod; and
thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for stabilizing a fractured bone, the method comprising:
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positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone;
forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone, the passageway extending from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone;
creating a bonding region on the elongate rod, the bonding region generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex;
positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod; and
thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for stabilizing a fractured bone, the method comprising:
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positioning an elongate plate on the exterior surface of the fractured bone;
forming a passageway extending through the elongate plate and into the bone;
positioning a fastener in the passageway;
thermally bonding the fastener to the bone while the fastener is positioned in the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for stabilizing a fractured bone, the method comprising:
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positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone;
positioning an elongate plate on the exterior surface of the bone such that the cortex of the bone is positioned between the elongate rod and plate;
forming a passageway through the elongate plate and the cortex of the bone, the passageway extending from the exterior surface of the elongate plate to the medullary canal of the bone;
creating a bonding region on the elongate rod, the bonding region generally aligned with the passageway;
positioning a fastener in the passageway and on the bonding region of the elongate rod; and
thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification