Guide assembly for intramedullary fixation and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A method for placing a fixation member within a medullary canal of a radius, the method comprising:
- defining a side aperture in the radius that extends into a medullary canal thereof;
attaching a guide member to the fixation member with a guide fastener;
inserting the fixation member through the side aperture until the fixation member is positioned in the medullary canal;
attaching an interchangeable distal guide member to the guide member after the fixation member is positioned in the medullary canal, wherein the distal guide member defines a plurality of fastener guide openings;
defining a plurality of fastener openings within the radius via the plurality of fastener guide openings defined in the distal guide member that align with a plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member; and
advancing a plurality of bone fasteners through the plurality of fastener guide openings defined in the distal guide member and the plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member and the radius.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A guide assembly for facilitating placement of a fixation member within a medullary canal of a radius is provided. According to one embodiment, a guide assembly includes a guide fastener configured to attach to a fixation member and a guide member configured to receive the guide fastener such that the guide member is secured to the fixation member. The guide assembly also includes an interchangeable distal guide member configured to engage and be disengaged from the guide member. The distal guide member defines a plurality of fastener guide openings for guiding respective fasteners through a plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for placing a fixation member within a medullary canal of a radius, the method comprising:
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defining a side aperture in the radius that extends into a medullary canal thereof; attaching a guide member to the fixation member with a guide fastener; inserting the fixation member through the side aperture until the fixation member is positioned in the medullary canal; attaching an interchangeable distal guide member to the guide member after the fixation member is positioned in the medullary canal, wherein the distal guide member defines a plurality of fastener guide openings; defining a plurality of fastener openings within the radius via the plurality of fastener guide openings defined in the distal guide member that align with a plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member; and advancing a plurality of bone fasteners through the plurality of fastener guide openings defined in the distal guide member and the plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member and the radius. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification