Implantable bone lengthening apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bone lengthening nail assembly comprising:
- a first nail body section;
a second nail body section; and
a power cartridge located within either of said first or second nail body sections and including a powered hydraulic pump which forces hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid reservoir and into a sealed chamber between said first and second sections thereby forcing said first nail section to extend longitudinally relative to said second nail section, and increasing the length of said bone lengthening nail.
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Abstract
An implantable bone lengthening apparatus may utilize an entirely self-contained lengthening mechanism which includes a shape memory material-powered hydraulic pump, a shape memory material-powered ratchet mechanism, a permeable head piston mechanism, and a bellows extension mechanism. The bone lengthening nails are more compact, simpler, eliminate unnecessary shifting or torsional movement, and maintain alignment of the bone during its natural healing process.
102 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A bone lengthening nail assembly comprising:
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a first nail body section; a second nail body section; and a power cartridge located within either of said first or second nail body sections and including a powered hydraulic pump which forces hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid reservoir and into a sealed chamber between said first and second sections thereby forcing said first nail section to extend longitudinally relative to said second nail section, and increasing the length of said bone lengthening nail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hydraulic pump comprising:
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a low pressure inlet section; a high pressure discharge section; a check valve located between said low pressure inlet section and said high pressure discharge section to prevent fluid backflow; a pump piston body for conveying fluid from said low pressure section through said check valve to said high pressure discharge section said pump piston body being adjacent to a first spring made of a shape memory material located on one side of the pump piston body; and a second spring located on the opposing side of the pump piston body, wherein the shape memory material has a first phase in which the first spring has a lower elastic modulus than the second spring, and a second phase in which said first spring has a higher elastic modulus than said second spring. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A bone lengthening nail assembly comprising:
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a first nail body section having grooves located therein and a longitudinal axis; a second nail body section; a reciprocating ratchet mechanism located in said second nail body section and extending into said first nail body section; fingers located on said ratchet mechanism which extend into said grooves; and a shape memory material spring attached to said ratchet mechanism which has a first phase in which said spring is compact and a second phase in which said spring is extended said shade memory material causing said ratchet mechanism to alternately move back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the first nail body section in a reciprocating movement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A bone lengthening nail assembly comprising:
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a first nail body section and a second nail body section; a chamber located in said second nail body section, said chamber filled with fluid; a permeable piston head attached to said first nail body section and extending into said chamber; and springs which force said permeable piston head to move longitudinally through said chamber, thereby forcing said fluid to permeate through said piston head. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A bone lengthening nail assembly comprising:
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a first nail body section and a second nail body section; a chamber located in said second nail body section; a piston head attached to said first nail body section and extending into said chamber; a longitudinally expanding bellows located in said chamber and attached to said piston head and second nail body section, wherein said bellows comprises a sealed volume which expands as said bellows is filled with fluid; and a pump for falling said bellows with a fluid, thereby causing said bellows to expand, and causing said nail to extend. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification