Minimally invasive actuable bone fixation devices

• US 7,846,162 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sonoma Orthopedic Products Incorporated (Arthrex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nelson, Charles L., Mazur, Kai U., Saravia, Heber
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan; Todd E
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERENE, JAN CHRISTOP L
• Application Number:
  US11/383,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20060264950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 606/62, 606/63, 606/64, 606/65, 606/66, 606/67, 606/68, 606/304, 606/313, 606/322, 606/326, 606/327, 606/328, 411/21, 411/22, 411/358, 4033742-3744
• US Class Current: 606/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7208 Flexible pins, e.g. ENDER pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7241 the nail having separate elements through which screws pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7275 with expanding cylindrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7291 for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

Apparatus for bone reinforcement, fixation and treatment of diseased or fractured bones including a supporting structure optionally coated with therapeutic agent is provided. The supporting structure or device may be collapsible upon deployment at the surgical site, and include fixation features such as anchors to securely position in place once deployed. Bone cement or other material may be provided to alternatively secure the positioned supporting structure for treatment. A lockable bone fixation device is described that comprises: a sleeve adapted to be positioned in a space formed in a bone; a guidewire adapted to guide movement of the sleeve; and an actuable lock adapted to secure the sleeve within the space of the bone from an end of the device.

Claims

1. A lockable bone fixation device for treatment of an elongate bone, the bone having an intermedullary space extending along the bone, the bone having a fracture and an access opening traversing the intermedullary space at a placement angle, the fixation device comprising:

a sleeve having a first end and a second end and defining a sleeve axis extending between the first end and the second end, the sleeve being flexible in a plane along the sleeve axis and having an outer surface suitable for axial advancement into the intermedullary space,

a guidewire lumen extending along the sleeve axis;

a guidewire receivable within the guidewire lumen, the guidewire axially advanceable through the access opening and into the intermedullary space so that a bend of the guidewire extends between the access opening and the intermedullary space; and

an actuable lock comprising an actuator disposed on the first end and a tooth, the tooth movable between an un-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration by articulation of the actuator, the tooth in the un-deployed configuration disposed adjacent the outer surface of the sleeve, the tooth in the deployed configuration extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve so as to secure the sleeve within the intermedullary space of the bone, the actuable lock accommodating axial flexing of the sleeve when the tooth is in the un-deployed configuration so as to allow the sleeve to be guided by the bend of the guidewire during axial advancement of the sleeve into the intermedullary space, wherein the sleeve is sufficiently flexible so that the lockable bone fixation device is anatomically conformable, wherein flexing of the sleeve is accommodated by bearing surfaces distributed along the sleeve axis within the sleeve, and wherein articulation of the actuator imposes an axial load on the bearing surfaces so as to stiffen the lockable fixation device when the tooth is in the deployed configuration such that fixation of the fracture is effected.

2. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of apertures and wherein the actuable lock comprises a plurality of teeth disposed at the second end, each tooth comprising a flexible structure and bending radially outwardly between the un-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration, the bending of the teeth induced by threaded coupling of the actuator to the sleeve at the first end such that axial motion of the actuable lock is transmitted along the flexible sleeve to the teeth disposed at the second end.

3. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is bioabsorbable.

4. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is removable from the space within the bone by articulation of the actuator so as to withdraw the tooth into the sleeve.

5. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is adapted to access the space within the bone through an access aperture formed in a bony protuberance of the bone.

6. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 further comprising a second sleeve adapted to fit within the sleeve, the sleeve being a first sleeve.

7. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 6 wherein the second sleeve supports the tooth, the tooth comprising a retractable interdigitation process.

8. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 7 wherein the first sleeve has an aperture along its length through which the retractable interdigitation process is adapted to engage bone.

9. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 7 wherein the retractable interdigitation process is adapted to engage bone when actuated by the second sleeve.

10. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 further comprising a cantilever adapted to retain the lockable bone fixation device within the space.

11. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is adapted to be expanded and collapsed within the space by a user.

12. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the device has a blunt obdurator surface.

13. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the device has a guiding tip.

14. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the device is adapted to receive external stimulation to provide therapy to the bone.

15. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1 wherein the device is adapted to receive composite material when the device is disposed within a lumen.

16. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 5 wherein the bone comprises a radius bone.

17. The lockable bone fixation device of claim 1, the placement angle being over 30 degrees, wherein the sleeve is sufficiently flexible to follow the bend of the guidewire when the bend defines an angle of over 30 degrees.