BONE FUSION DEVICE

• US 20150012050A1
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7233 with special means of locking the nail to the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7291 for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A bone fusion device includes a first anchor for insertion into a hole formed in a first phalange, and a second anchor for insertion into a hole formed in a second phalange. A rod includes a handle and a distal end, with the distal end being associated with each of the first anchor and the second anchor. The rod includes a breakaway portion between the handle and the distal end allowing the handle to be manually separated from the distal end.

Claims

1. A bone fusion device, comprising:

a first anchor for insertion into a hole formed in a first phalange;

a second anchor for insertion into a hole formed in a second phalange;

a rod including a handle and a distal end, said distal end being associated with each of said first anchor and said second anchor, said rod including a breakaway portion between said handle and said distal end allowing said handle to be manually separated at said distal end.

2. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein said breakaway portion has a reduced cross section relative to the handle.

3. The bone fusion device of claim 2, wherein said reduced cross section is substantially circular.

4. The bone fusion device of claim 2, wherein said handle may be manually separated from said distal end by at least one of manually bending and twisting said handle and breaking said rod at said breakaway portion.

5. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor are discrete parts, said first anchor including a first axial bore and said second anchor including a second axial bore, and wherein said distal end of said rod defines a pin including a first end insertable into said first axial bore and a second end insertable into said second axial bore.

6. The bone fusion device of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first anchor and said second anchor includes at least one anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement relative to a respective phalange when placed within a respective hole of the phalange.

7. The bone fusion device of claim 6, wherein each said anti-rotation feature includes at least one radially movable tab, each said tab being biased radially outward upon insertion of said pin into said respective first axial bore and said second axial bore.

8. The bone fusion device of claim 5, wherein said first end is insertable into said first axial bore when said breakaway portion is intact, and wherein said second end is insertable into said second axial bore after said breakaway portion is detached.

9. The bone fusion device of claim 8, wherein said first end has an external threaded surface for mating with said first axial bore, and said second end is pressed into said second axial bore.

10. The bone fusion device of claim 9, wherein said second end includes an anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement of said pin relative to said second anchor.

11. The bone fusion device of claim 10, wherein said second end has a non-circular cross section defining said anti-rotation feature.

12. The bone fusion device of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first end and said second end includes an anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement of said pin.

13. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor are monolithic, and said distal end of said rod is coupled with said second anchor at said breakaway portion.

14. The bone fusion device of claim 13, wherein said first anchor includes a tip extending axially from said first anchor in a direction opposite from said rod.

15. The bone fusion device of claim 13, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor each include at least one anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement relative to a respective phalange when placed within a respective hole of the phalange.

16. The bone fusion device of claim 15, wherein each anti-rotation feature includes one of:

a notch formed in an exterior surface of the respective anchor; and

a non-circular cross section of the respective anchor.

17. A bone fusion device, comprising:

at least one anchor for insertion into a hole formed in a bone;

a rod including a handle and a distal end, said distal end being associated with each said anchor, said rod including a breakaway portion between said handle and said distal end allowing said handle to be manually separated at said distal end.

18. The bone fusion device of claim 17, wherein said breakaway portion has a reduced cross section relative to the handle.

19. The bone fusion device of claim 17, wherein said handle may be manually separated from said distal end by at least one of manually bending and twisting said handle and breaking said rod at said breakaway portion.

20. The bone fusion device of claim 17, wherein said at least one anchor includes a first anchor with an axial bore, and said distal end of said rod is insertable into said axial bore.

21. The bone fusion device of claim 20, wherein said first anchor includes at least one anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement relative to the bone.

22. The bone fusion device of claim 21, wherein each said anti-rotation feature includes a radially movable tab which is biased radially outward upon insertion of said distal end of said rod into said axial bore.

23. The bone fusion device of claim 17, wherein said at least one anchor includes a first anchor and a second anchor of monolithic construction, and said distal end of said rod is coupled with said second anchor at said breakaway portion.

24. The bone fusion device of claim 23, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor each include at least one anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement when placed within a hole of the bone.

25. The bone fusion device of claim 17, wherein said at least one anchor comprises a single anchor with an axial bore, and wherein said distal end of said rod defines a pin including an externally threaded first end for threaded engagement with a hole formed in a bone, and a second end for insertion into said axial bore.

26. A method of fusing adjacent bones together, comprising the steps of:

forming a first hole in an end of a first phalange;

inserting a first anchor into the first hole;

providing a rod including a handle and a distal end, said distal end being associated with said first anchor;

separating the rod at a breakaway portion between said handle and said distal end;

forming a second hole in an end of a second phalange; and

inserting a second anchor into the second hole.

27. The method of fusing adjacent bones of claim 26, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor are discrete parts, said first anchor including a first axial bore and said second anchor including a second axial bore, and wherein said distal end of said rod defines a pin including a first end and a second end, and including the further steps of:

inserting the first end into the first axial bore; and

inserting the second end into the second axial bore.

28. The method of fusing adjacent bones of claim 26, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor are of monolithic construction, and said distal end of said rod is coupled with said second anchor the a breakaway portion allowing said handle to be manually separated from said second anchor.

29. The method of fusing adjacent bones of claim 26, wherein said first anchor and said second anchor each include at least one anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotational movement when placed within the first hole and the second hole, respectively.