Systems and methods for internal bone fixation

• US 20080125784A1
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illuminoss Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illuminoss Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Drew, Mark A., Rabiner, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,811,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7097 Stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant, e.g. balloon; devices for inserting or filling such implants disc prostheses made of inflatable chambers or pockets filled with fluid A61F2/441; replacing the nucleus pulposus A61F2002/444
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7275 with expanding cylindrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7291 for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8836 for heating, cooling or curing of bone cement or fluid fillers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. A device for use in repairing a fractured bone includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material.

Claims

1. An internal bone fixation device comprising:

a conformable member; and

at least one reinforcing material contained within the conformable member,

wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is added to the conformable member.

2. The internal bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the conformable member is constructed from a polymer material.

3. The internal bone fixation device of claim 1 further comprising at least one radiopaque material on the conformable member.

4. The internal bone fixation device of claim 1 for use in repairing a bone fractured into at least two bone fragments.

5. The internal bone fixation device of claim 4 wherein the conformable member resides within an inner cavity of the at least two bone fragments and provides support to the at least two bone fragments to promote healing.

6. The internal bone fixation device of claim 5 wherein the conformable member evenly contacts a wall of the inner cavity of the at least two bone fragments when in the inflated state.

7. A device for repairing a fractured bone comprising:

a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source;

a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and

an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising:

a stiffening member surrounding the elongated shaft of the delivery catheter;

a slip sleeve surrounding the stiffening member; and

at least one radiopaque material on the delivery catheter.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the at least one reinforcing material is a UV curable glue.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the light source includes a light pipe and an optical lens.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the light pipe emits energy through the optical lens and guides the energy into the conformable member.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the energy emitted from the light pipe causes the at least one reinforcing material in the conformable member to harden.

13. The device of claim 7 wherein the conformable member is constructed from a polymer material.

14. A method for repairing a fractured bone comprising:

gaining access to an inner cavity of the fractured bone;

providing a device for use in repairing the fractured bone, the device comprising a conformable member releasably engaging a delivery catheter, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material to the conformable member and an inner lumen for passage of a light source to the conformable member;

positioning the conformable member spanning at least two bone segments of the fractured bone;

inserting a light source into the inner lumen of the device;

adding at least one reinforcing material to the inner void of the device;

infusing the at least one reinforcing material through the inner void of the delivery catheter to the conformable member, wherein the conformable member moves from an initial deflated state to a final inflated state;

activating the light source to harden the at least one reinforcing material in the inflated conformable member; and

releasing the hardened conformable member from the delivery catheter.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the hardened conformable member remains in the inner cavity of the fractured bone to support the fractured bone and promote healing of the fractured bone.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising releasably engaging an adapter to a proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the delivery catheter further comprises:

a stiffening member surrounding an elongated shaft of the delivery catheter;

a slip sleeve surrounding the stiffening member; and

at least one radiopaque material on the delivery catheter.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the light source comprises:

a light pipe; and

an optical lens,

wherein the light pipe emits energy through the optical lens and guides the energy into the conformable member such that the at least one reinforcing material is hardened.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the conformable member is constructed from a polymer material.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one reinforcing material is a UV curable glue.