Flexible intramedullary nail
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An orthopedic implant comprising:
- a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap; and
a plurality of elongated flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap, wherein at least one end cap has a rounded end, and each end cap includes an aperture formed axially therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An orthopedic implant includes a pair of spaced apart end caps which are interconnected by a plurality of elongated flexible members. Each end cap includes an aperture formed therethrough for the use of a trochanteric guide wire for piloting the implant during trial insertion and final insertion into an intramedullary canal. At least one of the end caps includes a rounded end to enhance insertion. Preferably, the flexible members are bowed outwardly to provide a “birdcage” configuration.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An orthopedic implant comprising:
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a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap; and
a plurality of elongated flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap, wherein at least one end cap has a rounded end, and each end cap includes an aperture formed axially therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An intramedullary nail comprising:
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a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap; and
a plurality of spaced apart flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap to form a birdcage portion between the first and second end caps, wherein at least one end cap has a rounded end, and each end cap includes an aperture formed therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A flexible intramedullary nail comprising:
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a first end cap having a first diameter;
a second end cap having substantially the first diameter; and
a plurality of outwardly bowed flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap such that the bowed members form a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, wherein at least one end cap has a rounded end, and each end cap includes an aperture formed therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
a liner adjacent the flexible members for retaining bone cement, the liner including punctures formed therein for permitting controlled and concentrated exit of the bone cement.
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13. The flexible intramedullary nail as defined in claim 11 further comprising:
a liner adjacent the flexible members for retaining bone cement, the liner being formed of a material which may be punctured for permitting a controlled and concentrated exit of the bone cement.
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14. A method of reinforcing a skeletal member comprising the steps of:
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forming a flexible intramedullary nail including a rounded first end cap and a second end cap including a bone cement aperture formed therein, the first and second end caps being interconnected by a plurality of elongated flexible members forming a bone cement reservoir;
attaching removable adapter to the second end cap;
driving the nail into an intramedullary canal of the skeletal member;
removing the adapter; and
forcing bone cement through the bone cement aperture into the bone cement reservoir until the bone cement exits the body adjacent the flexible members. - View Dependent Claims (15)
providing a liner in the bone cement reservoir; and
providing punctures in the liner, whereby the bone cement exits the bone cement reservoir via the punctures.
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16. An orthopedic implant comprising:
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a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap;
a plurality of elongated flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap; and
an aperture formed in each end cap, the aperture extending substantially transverse to a centroidal axis extending through each end cap. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of reinforcing a skeletal member comprising the steps of:
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forming a flexible intramedullary nail including a rounded first end cap and a second end cap, the first and second end caps being interconnected by a plurality of elongated flexible members;
attaching a removable adapter to the second end cap;
driving the nail into an intramedullary canal of the skeletal member; and
removing the adapter.
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19. A method of reinforcing a skeletal member comprising the steps of:
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forming a flexible intramedullary nail including a rounded first end cap and a second end cap, the first and second end caps being interconnected by a plurality of elongated flexible members;
attaching a removable adapter to the second end cap;
inserting bone cement into an intramedullary canal of the skeletal member;
driving the nail into the intramedullary canal of the skeletal member; and
removing the adapter.
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20. An intramedullary nail, comprising:
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a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap and having a plurality of transversely extending apertures adapted to receive a surgical screw; and
a plurality of elongated flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An intramedullary nail, comprising:
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a first end cap;
a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap;
a plurality of elongated flexible members interconnecting the first end cap and the second end cap; and
a liner adjacent the flexible members, the liner being adapted to retain bone cement. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification