Expandable orthopedic device
First Claim
1. An intramedullary device, comprising:
- a plurality of resilient spine elements longitudinally arranged to form a deployable resultant structure having a structural shaft, an expandable first structural end, and a second structural end; and
a porous interconnection structure interconnecting the plurality of spine elements at the first structural end;
wherein the expanded first structural end has a circumference greater than a circumference of the structural shaft when the resultant structure is deployed.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An intramedullary device used to stabilize any of a variety of fractured bones. The device includes a plurality of resilient spine elements and a porous interconnection structure, which interconnects the plurality of spine elements. The porous interconnection structure can be composed of a mesh or plurality of struts connected between the spine elements, The device expands at one or both of the ends. Optionally, the shaft of the device can expand. The end of the device, when expanded, has a circumference greater than a circumference of the structural shaft. Expansion of the device is actuated by pre-shaping the spine elements and/or the interconnection structure. In this regard, the spine elements and/or interconnection structure can be composed of a resilient material and pre-shaped, such that the end or ends of the device expand in the absence of an external restraining force. Or the spine elements and/or interconnection structure can be composed of a shape memory material, such that the end or ends of the device expand when heated to a temperature above the shape transitional temperature of the shape memory material.
415 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An intramedullary device, comprising:
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a plurality of resilient spine elements longitudinally arranged to form a deployable resultant structure having a structural shaft, an expandable first structural end, and a second structural end; and
a porous interconnection structure interconnecting the plurality of spine elements at the first structural end;
wherein the expanded first structural end has a circumference greater than a circumference of the structural shaft when the resultant structure is deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An intramedullary device, comprising:
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a plurality of resilient spine elements longitudinally arranged to form a deployable resultant structure having a structural shaft and expandable first and second structural ends; and
a porous interconnection structure interconnecting the plurality of spine elements at the first and second structural ends;
wherein the expanded first and second structural ends have circumferences greater than a circumference of the structural shaft when the resultant structure is deployed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification