METHOD AND APPARATUS OF IMMOBILIZING A FRACTURED FEMUR

• US 3,791,380 A
• Filed: 12/13/1971
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerhard Dawidowski
• Original Assignee: Gerhard Dawidowski
• Inventors: Dawidowski, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/207,594
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 128/92R,92A,92B,92BA,92BB,92BC,92C,92CA,92D,92G
• US Class Current: 606/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/746 the longitudinal elements coupled to a plate opposite the femoral head

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for immobilizing the fractured neck of a femur with the head portion of the femur by first aligning the head and neck through a guide wire and thereafter telescoping over the guide wire, a tubular body containing means for entry into the spongy portion of the head of the femur and thereafter applying pressure to the neck of a femur until re-ossification is attained.

Claims

1. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur comprising in combination:

a guide wire;

an elongated body provided with plural perforations in the perimeter thereof adjacent to one extremity thereof, said body being telescopable over said guide wire for guiding said body into position for the immobilization of the fractured femur, said body further including elongated threaded means adapted for longitudinal movement therewithin;

extendable elements, said threaded means associated with said extendable elements arranged to be projected through said plural perforations;

means carried on said threaded means for advancing and retracting said extendable elements;

pressure applying means carried on said threaded means therebeneath; and

first actuator means for moving said pressure applying means.

2. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated body has an interior wall portion provided with spaced longitudinally extending grooves adapted to cooperate with a guide member.

3. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated threaded means is a body relatively square in cross section.

4. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angular intersecting corners only of the square body are threaded.

5. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means includes a plurality of resilient segments.

6. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 1, wherein second actuator means is adapted to cooperate with further means arranged tO apply pressure radially of a femoral neck portion.

7. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means further includes a toothed portion integral therewith.

8. A device for immobilizing a fractured neck of a femur as claimed in claim 6, wherein the threaded rod means further includes a sleeve member interposed between the first and second actuator means.

9. In an improved method of utilizing an apparatus to immobilize a fractured neck of a femur, including the steps of a. performing a surgical operation to gain access to the fractured region, b. X-raying the fractured region to permit association of the head of the femur with the femoral neck portion, c. inserting a guide wire through the shaft of the femoral neck and into the central spongy portion of the head of the femur which includes a cortex area, d. telescoping a tubular body provided with a threaded portion over the guide wire and advancing it through the fractured region into the head of the femur, e. advancing the threaded portion through the associated tubular body to extend a plurality of claw members from the tubular body through the spongy head of the femur until they enter the cortex thereof, f. retaining the claws in said position until reossification is attained and g. disassembling the immobilization apparatus from the femur and femoral neck portion by retracting the claws from the head of the femur and withdrawing the tubular body portion and guide wire.