Methods and devices for trauma welding
First Claim
1. A bone stabilization system comprising:
- an intramedullary rod having a bonding region including polymeric material on the outer surface of the intramedullary rod, wherein the intramedullary rod is positionable within a cavity in a bone; and
a fastener having polymeric material at a leading end surface, wherein the polymeric material at the leading end surface of the fastener is configured to be passed through a channel in the bone, positioned against the bonding region of the intramedullary rod, and coupled to the leading end surface of the fastener to the bonding region of the intramedullary rod using ultrasonic energy, the coupling occurring at a coupling location and wherein the coupling location is free of any through holes.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.
779 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A bone stabilization system comprising:
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an intramedullary rod having a bonding region including polymeric material on the outer surface of the intramedullary rod, wherein the intramedullary rod is positionable within a cavity in a bone; and a fastener having polymeric material at a leading end surface, wherein the polymeric material at the leading end surface of the fastener is configured to be passed through a channel in the bone, positioned against the bonding region of the intramedullary rod, and coupled to the leading end surface of the fastener to the bonding region of the intramedullary rod using ultrasonic energy, the coupling occurring at a coupling location and wherein the coupling location is free of any through holes. - 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