Systems and methods for implanting surgical implants
AssigneeWright Medical Technology, Inc.
InventorsDustin D. Leavitt, Brock L. Johnson, Wesley N. Harris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an implant system that comprises an implant, a handle configured to removably receive the implant, and, in some embodiments, a spacer tool configured to be mounted on the implant. In further embodiments, a k-wire is employed to guide the implant to a desired location. The handle has a hole for receiving a first portion of the implant. Using the handle to implant the implant, along with an associated spacer, provides a quick and convenient method for implanting the implant as described herein and in the associated drawings.
Claims20
An implant system for connecting bone portions comprising:
- an implant having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions that includes a removably secured spacer, the implant being configured to be implanted between a first and a second bone portions, wherein the first portion defines a slot;
- and
- a handle configured to be grasped by a user for inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion, the handle having a rectangular hole therein that is configured to receive the first portion of the implant, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slot defined by the first portion of the implant, wherein the divider is configured to orient the implant,
- wherein the handle is configured to be removed from the first portion of the implant after inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion.
A system for fusing a middle phalanx to a proximal phalanx comprising:
- an implant having a first barbed portion and a second barbed portion, wherein the first barbed portion defines a slot;
- a handle having a rectangular hole configured to receive the first barbed portion, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slot defined by the first portion of the implant, wherein the divider is configured to orient the implant, the handle configured to be grasped by a user;
- a spacer configured to be removably coupled to a portion of the implant,
- wherein:
- the second barbed portion of the implant is configured to be secured within one of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx,
- the first barbed portion of the implant is configured to be removed from the handle and then inserted into the other of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx.
A method for implanting an implant between first and second bone portions, the method comprising:
- providing an implant having a slotted first portion and a second portion;
- providing a handle configured to be grasped by a user, the handle having a rectangular hole therein that is configured to receive one or more of the first portion, the second portion, and the intermediate portion of the implant, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slotted first portion of the implant so as to orient the implant;
- positioning at least a part of the first portion of the implant within the hole of the handle, such that a user can grasp the handle and manipulate the implant with the handle;
- inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion;
- removing the handle from the first portion of the implant;
- and
- positioning the first portion of the implant within the second bone portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.