SEGMENTED INTRAMEDULLARY SYSTEM AND METHODS

• US 20090228007A1
• Filed: 12/29/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sonoma Orthopedic Products Incorporated (Arthrex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: OsteoLign, Inc.
• Inventors: Harmon, Mathew T., Larsen, Charles E., Justin, Daniel F., Trip, Roelof, Stoneburner, James D., Goshayesh, Mojan
• Application Number:
  US12/345,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1717 for applying intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1725 for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7208 Flexible pins, e.g. ENDER pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7283 with special cross-section of the nail
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/922 Devices for impaction, impact element
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/107 Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53796 Puller or pusher means, contained force multiplying operator

Abstract

Methods of manufacturing, assembling, or treating a patient with an implantable segmented intramedullary structure adapted to be received in the intramedullary canal of a bone configurable between a relatively flexible, bent configuration for implantation or extraction and a relatively rigid, straightened configuration for bone treatment. The segmented intramedullary structure comprises a plurality of interconnected segments with a first interface and a complementarily-shaped second interface such that the first interface of a segment cooperatively engages the second interface of an adjacent segment. The segments define a channel for a tensioning member to lock the structure in a compressed configuration.

Claims

1. A method for tensioning a surgical elongate member, the method comprising:

providing an implant having a elongate member connected thereto, and a locking feature on the implant, wherein the locking feature circumferentially engages the elongate member to lock onto the elongate member;

actuating a tensioner to regulate the tension on the elongate member; and

locking the locking mechanism on the elongate member to maintain a selected tension.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a segmented intramedullary fracture fixation device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a collet.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating the locking mechanism actuator to lock the locking mechanism onto the elongate member after regulating the tension on the elongate member.

5. A method for tensioning a surgical elongate member, the method comprising:

connecting a first location on an elongate member to an implant;

locking a locking feature onto a second location on the elongate member, wherein the locking feature circumferentially engages the elongate member to lock onto the elongate member;

actuating a tensioner to regulate the tension on the elongate member between the first location and the second location; and

locking a locking mechanism onto a third location on the elongate member.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the implant is a segmented intramedullary fracture fixation device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the third location is between the first location and the second location.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising actuating the locking mechanism actuator to lock the locking mechanism onto the third location on the elongate member after regulating the tension on the elongate member.

9. A method of treating a fracture in a bone, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate fixation device, having a proximal end and a distal end;

advancing the fixation device along a nonlinear path while the fixation device is in a flexible state, until the fixation device spans a fracture in the bone;

engaging the bone with the distal end of the fixation device;

transforming the fixation device from the flexible state to a substantially rigid state;

axially shortening the fixation device to apply compression across the fracture; and

locking the fixation device in the substantially rigid state.

10. The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9, wherein the axially shortening step and the locking step are accomplished simultaneously.

11. The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9, wherein the axially shortening step is accomplished following the engaging step.

12. The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9, wherein the transforming step comprises proximally retracting a tensioning element with respect to the proximal end.

13. The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 12, wherein the locking step comprises locking the tension element in a compression lock.

14. The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9, wherein the axially shortening the fixation device is decreases a fixation device length by up to about 5 mm.

15. A method of locking an implant in a rigid configuration, comprising the steps of:

tensioning an elongate member disposed through two or more segments of an implant;

locking the elongate member at a lock; and

cutting the elongate member proximal to the lock.