Intramedullary nail and method of use
First Claim
1. A method for interlocking an intramedullary nail implantable within a medullary canal of a patient'"'"'s long bone, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an intramedullary nail having an outer wall surface and a longitudinal axis;
b) surgically implanting the intramedullary nail into the medullary canal of the long bone;
c) drilling a first hole through a near wall of the cortical bone using a first drill in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and at a selectable longitudinal axial level;
d) providing a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow bore;
e) inserting the cylindrical sleeve into the first hole positioning cylindrical sleeve in operable sealing contact with the outer surface of the near wall of the intramedullary nail;
f) using a second drill, passing through the hollow bore of the cylindrical sleeve, and drilling a second hole through the intramedullary nail and far wall of the cortical bone along the axis of the first hole;
g) irrigating the cylindrical sleeve and second hole with a liquid;
h) suctioning the liquid from the cylindrical sleeve and second hole;
i) removing the cylindrical sleeve;
j) providing an interlocking wire; and
k) interlocking the intramedullary nail to the long bone by passing the interlocking wire through the first, second and third holes, tensioning the interlocking wire, and securing the interlocking wire under tension at the outer surfaces of the near and far walls of the cortical bone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an intramedullary nail (IM nail) device suitable for implanting within a medullary canal of a fractured long bone and subsequently interlocking the IM nail at least once to the cortical bone of the long bone. The IM nail includes a hollow center and at least a proximal opening into the hollow center and an optional distal tip opening. The IM nail is initially manufactured without any holes, channels, or the like, for the alignment and passage of screws or similar devices suitable for interlocking the IM nail with the long bone. The IM nail includes a material suitably adapted for providing post implanting drilling there through and interlocking with the long bone using these post implantation holes. The present invention makes use of removable and expandable first and optional second sealing plugs in operable sealing contact within the hollow center. The present invention also includes a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow bore open at both ends on a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical sleeve is suitable for receiving a drill bit through the hollow bore to act as a drill bit guide. The cylindrical sleeve also includes a resilient gasket at one end suitable for operable sealing engagement with the intramedullary nail outer surface.
231 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for interlocking an intramedullary nail implantable within a medullary canal of a patient'"'"'s long bone, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an intramedullary nail having an outer wall surface and a longitudinal axis; b) surgically implanting the intramedullary nail into the medullary canal of the long bone; c) drilling a first hole through a near wall of the cortical bone using a first drill in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and at a selectable longitudinal axial level; d) providing a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow bore; e) inserting the cylindrical sleeve into the first hole positioning cylindrical sleeve in operable sealing contact with the outer surface of the near wall of the intramedullary nail; f) using a second drill, passing through the hollow bore of the cylindrical sleeve, and drilling a second hole through the intramedullary nail and far wall of the cortical bone along the axis of the first hole; g) irrigating the cylindrical sleeve and second hole with a liquid; h) suctioning the liquid from the cylindrical sleeve and second hole; i) removing the cylindrical sleeve; j) providing an interlocking wire; and k) interlocking the intramedullary nail to the long bone by passing the interlocking wire through the first, second and third holes, tensioning the interlocking wire, and securing the interlocking wire under tension at the outer surfaces of the near and far walls of the cortical bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An intramedullary nail device for implanting within a medullary canal of a long bone of a human, the intramedullary nail device comprising:
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a non-fenestrated, non-drilled intramedullary nail elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a hollow center and a proximal opening into the hollow center, the intramedullary nail suitable for providing post implanting drilling there through; and a removable first sealing plug positionable in operable sealing contact within the hollow center to a selectable longitudinal axial first position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for interlocking an intramedullary nail implantable within a medullary canal of a patient'"'"'s long bone, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an intramedullary nail having at least a distal portion as a solid core and an outer wall surface and a longitudinal axis; b) surgically implanting the intramedullary nail into the medullary canal of the long bone; c) drilling a first hole through a near wall of the cortical bone using a first drill in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and at a longitudinal axial level proximate the solid core; d) providing a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow; e) inserting the cylindrical sleeve into the first hole to position the resilient gasket in operable sealing contact with the outer surface of the near wall of the intramedullary nail; f) using a second drill, passing through the cylindrical sleeve, and drilling a second hole through the intramedullary nail and a far wall of the cortical bone opposite the first hole; g) irrigating the cylindrical sleeve and second hole with a liquid; h) suctioning the liquid from the cylindrical sleeve and second hole; i) removing the cylindrical; j) providing an interlocking wire; and k) interlocking the intramedullary nail to the long bone by passing the interlocking wire through the first and second holes, tensioning the interlocking wire, and securing the interlocking wire under tension at the outer surfaces of the near and far walls of the cortical bone. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An intramedullary nail device for implanting within a medullary canal of a long bone of a human, the intramedullary nail device comprising:
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a non-fenestrated intramedullary nail, elongated along a longitudinal axis, the intramedullary nail including at least a portion of the distal segment as a solid core adapted for providing post implanting drilling there through of at least two holes; and a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow bore open at both ends on a longitudinal axis, for receiving a drill through the hollow bore, the cylindrical sleeve longitudinal axis operably lying in a substantially transverse orientation to the intramedullary nail longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification