Orthopedic fastener and method

• US 6,689,137 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reed Medical Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gary Jack Reed
• Inventors: Reed, Gary Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonderer, David A
• Application Number:
  US09/978,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 606/73, 606/104, 606/62, 606/65, 606/72, 411/178, 411/411, 411/424, 411/354
• US Class Current: 606/311
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8057 the interlocking form comprising a thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper

Abstract

An orthopedic fastener having compressive forces along the direction of the long axis of the fastener and radially inwardly directed forces towards the center of the fastener to draw in a bone providing an improved structure for uniting a fractured bone.

Claims

1. An orthopedic fastener, comprising in combination:

a bone engaging shaft having a first thread pattern at one end and a second thread pattern at another end,

one said thread pattern being bone engaging and having means to draw radially inward bone within which it is embedded.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein said thread patterns include a sharpened crest having a major diameter and a root defining a minor diameter, said threads having an upper surface extending from a bottom edge of said root to said sharpened crest and a lower surface extending from a top edge of said root to said sharpened crest, said surfaces angle to a medial portion of said fastener.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein said upper surface defines a lower angle of inclination than said lower surface.

4. A method for deploying an orthopedic fastener into a bone, the steps including inserting the fastener into the bone to induce axial compressive forces and radially inwardly directed forces with respect to the fastener.