GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR INTRAMEDULLARY FIXATION AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

• US 20090157077A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wright Medical Technology Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Wright Medical Technology Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Larsen, Scott, Tan, Varik, Warburton, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,771,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/164 intramedullary
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1686 for the hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1725 for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1735 for rasps or chisels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1782 for the hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/72 Intramedullary pins, nails or other devices A61B17/744 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/90 Guides therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/921 for intramedullary devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00915 for radioactive radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

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.

Claims

1. A guide assembly for facilitating placement of a fixation member, the fixation member having a plurality of fastener openings, within a medullary canal of a radius, the guide assembly comprising:

a guide fastener configured to attach to the fixation member;

a guide member configured to receive the guide fastener such that the guide member is secured to the fixation member; and

an interchangeable distal guide member configured to engage and be disengaged from the guide member and defining a plurality of fastener guide openings for guiding respective fasteners through the plurality of fastener openings in the fixation member.

2. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide fastener is configured to engage an exposed distal end of the fixation member that is accessible through a side aperture defined in the radius.

3. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide member defines an opening configured to allow passage of the guide fastener through the guide member and into the exposed end of the fixation member.

4. The guide assembly of claim 3, wherein the distal guide member comprises an opening configured to align with the opening defined in the guide member and to allow passage of the guide fastener therethrough.

5. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide fastener comprises an opening configured to receive a drill guide therethrough.

6. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a threaded opening for receiving a fastener to secure the distal guide member to the guide member.

7. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal guide member comprises a slot for engaging at least a portion of the guide member.

8. The guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle, wherein the guide member includes a handle mount for attachment of the handle.

9. The guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising an interchangeable proximal guide member configured to engage and be disengaged from the distal guide member and defining a plurality of fastener guide openings for guiding respective fasteners into a plurality of fastener openings defined in the intramedullary fixation member that are located proximally of the plurality of fastener openings defined via the distal guide member.

10. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal guide member comprises a protrusion, and wherein the proximal guide member comprises a channel for receiving the protrusion therein.

11. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein the proximal guide member and distal guide member are configured for threaded engagement.

12. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal guide member comprises an alignment pin configured to engage an opening defined in the proximal guide member.

13. The guide assembly of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of tissue protectors, wherein each of the plurality of fastener guide openings of the proximal guide member and distal guide member is configured to receive a respective tissue protector therethrough.

14. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the proximal guide member and distal guide member is spaced outwardly from the radius such that the tissue protectors are configured to extend through the proximal guide member and distal guide member and adjacent to the radius.

15. The guide assembly of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of drill guides, wherein each of the plurality of tissue protectors is configured to receive a respective one of the drill guides therein.

16. The guide assembly of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of k-wires, wherein each of the plurality of drill guides is configured to receive a respective k-wire therethrough in order to determine a depth of drilling into the radius based on a measurement reading on a respective drill guide.

17. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein the proximal guide member and distal guide member comprise a radiolucent material.

18. An intramedullary fixation device kit for repairing a radius fracture, the intramedullary fixation member kit comprising;

an intramedullary fixation device configured to be positioned within an intramedullary canal of a radius and defining a plurality of fastener openings for receiving respective fasteners therethrough;

a guide member configured to be coupled to the intramedullary fixation device; and

an interchangeable distal guide member configured to engage and be disengaged from the guide member and defining a plurality of fastener guide openings for guiding respective fasteners through a plurality of fastener openings defined in the intramedullary fixation member.

19. The intramedullary fixation member kit of claim 18, further comprising an interchangeable proximal guide member configured to engage and be disengaged from the distal guide member and defining a plurality of fastener guide openings for guiding respective fasteners into a plurality of fastener openings defined in the intramedullary fixation member that are located proximally of the plurality of fastener openings defined via the distal guide member.

20. The intramedullary fixation member kit of claim 18, further comprising a guide fastener configured to attach to the fixation member so as to secure the guide member to the fixation member.

21. 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 and side aperture;

attaching an interchangeable distal guide member to the guide member, 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.

22. A method of claim 21, further comprising attaching an interchangeable proximal guide member to the proximal guide member, wherein the proximal guide member defines a plurality of fastener guide openings.

23. A method of claim 22, further comprising defining a plurality of fastener openings within the radius via the plurality of fastener guide openings defined in the proximal guide member that align with a plurality of fastener openings defined in the fixation member that are located proximally of the plurality of fastener openings defined via the distal guide member.

24. A method of claim 21, further comprising detaching the distal guide member from the guide member while the guide member is attached to the fixation member.