Tool for bone fixation device

• US 7,686,807 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Interventional Spine, Inc (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Culbert, Brad S., Padget, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Thomas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Araj; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US10/790,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,220 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/103, 606/105, 606/104, 606/281, 606/282, 606/291, 606/300, 606/301, 606/324, 606/86.R, 606/86.A
• US Class Current: 606/86.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7291 for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8685 comprising multiple separate parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

A tool for inserting a bone fixation device is provided. The tool generally includes an elongate outer body and an elongate inner body, each having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The tool typically includes a pin-receiving portion at the distal end of the outer body for receiving a proximal pin of a bone fixation device. The tool may further include first and second levers pivotally mounted to the inner member at respective pivot axes, and each of the levers having a gripping portion. The levers preferably include finger engagement portions, wire-gripping portions, and are preferably configured to be axially movable relative to the outer body. The levers are generally configured such that a proximal force on the finger engagement portions relative to the outer body will cause the pin engagement portions to close and to move proximally such that a guidewire of a bone fixation device placed between the wire-gripping portions may be gripped and pulled proximally.

Claims

1. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:

providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;

advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;

gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and

proximally retracting with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;

wherein the step of proximally retracting with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen comprises moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment, tool; and

wherein the step of moving the outer body of the deployment tool with respect to the central body of the deployment tool comprises one way ratchet-type motion.

2. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 1, wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.

3. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 2, wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.

4. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 3, wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.

5. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 4, wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.

6. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 5, wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.

7. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:

providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;

advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;

gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and

moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;

wherein the step of moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen comprises moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment, tool; and

wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.

8. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 7, wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.

9. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 8, wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.

10. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 9, wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.

11. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 10, wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.

12. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:

providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;

advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;

gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and

moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;

wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.

13. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 12, wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.

14. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 13, wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.

15. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 14, wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.

16. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 15, wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.

17. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:

providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;

advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;

gripping a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and

proximally retracting the wire axially through the lumen using a deployment tool such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, wherein proximally retracting the wire includes moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment tool, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement.

18. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 17, wherein the step of gripping a proximal portion of a wire includes gripping the proximal portion of the wire with a deployment tool.

19. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 17, wherein moving the outer body of the deployment tool with respect to the central body of the deployment tool comprises one way ratchet-type motion.