# US 10,945,725 B2 · Implant inserter

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- Number: US 10,945,725 B2
- Document ID: US10945725B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/031,980
- Filed: 2018-07-10
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-06
- Assignees: Crossroads Extremity Systems, LLC
- Applicants: Crossroads Extremity Systems, LLC
- Inventors: Michael Chad Hollis; Daniel Sayger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945725B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone}
- A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position}
- A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00})
- A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil}
- A61B 17/10: for applying or removing wound clamps {, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple (A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068)}; Wound clamp magazines
- A61B 17/0684: {having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling}
- A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect}
- A61B 2017/0645: {being elastically deformed for insertion}
- A61B 2017/0648: {threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread}
- A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments}
- A61F 2/4603: {for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof}
- A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

Inserters for dynamic implants include hooks that engage connecting means of the implants and rams that press against bridges of the implants when the inserters are actuated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inserter for a dynamic implant having an elongated bridge and first and second connecting means extending from first and second ends of the bridge, wherein the bridge has a proximal surface, wherein the bridge and the first and second connecting means each have a distal surface, the inserter comprising:
a body;
a knob, wherein the knob is captive to the body within a slot in a proximal portion of the body;
first and second hooks, wherein the first and second hooks face each other across an alcove, wherein the first and second hooks each have a proximal surface, wherein the alcove has a proximal surface that is proximal to the proximal surfaces of the first and second hooks; and
a ram comprising a ram head and a ram shaft, wherein the ram head has a distal surface, wherein the ram head is movable relative to the first and second hooks between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein in the proximal position, the distal surface of the ram head is proximal to the proximal surface of the alcove, wherein in the distal position, the distal surface of the ram head is distal to the proximal surface of the alcove, wherein the ram shaft extends proximally from, and is integrally formed with, the ram head, wherein a proximal portion of the ram shaft is threaded;
wherein a distal portion of the body comprises the first and second hooks, wherein the ram shaft is received in the body, wherein the knob comprises a threaded hole, wherein the proximal portion of the ram shaft threads into the knob hole;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant, the first and second hooks receive the first and second connecting means, the proximal surfaces of the first and second hooks contact the distal surfaces of the first and second connecting means, the alcove receives the bridge, and the distal surface of the ram head faces the proximal surface of the bridge;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant and the ram head is in the proximal position, the implant is in a relaxed state in which the bridge is undeformed;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant and the ram head is in the distal position, the implant is in an elastically deformed state in which the bridge is elastically deformed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inserter of claim 1, wherein when the ram head moves between the proximal and distal positions, the ram head does not rotate relative to the first and second hooks.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The inserter of claim 1, wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant, the distal surface of the ram head contacts the proximal surface of the bridge.

### Claim 4

A system for implant elastic deformation and insertion, comprising:
an implant movable between a relaxed state and an elastically deformed state, wherein the implant comprises an elongated bridge and first and second connecting means, wherein the bridge extends between opposite first and second ends and has a distal surface and an opposite proximal surface, wherein the first connecting means extends from the first end of the bridge, wherein the second connecting means extends from the second end of the bridge, wherein each of the first and second connecting means has a distal surface, wherein when the implant is in the relaxed state, the bridge is undeformed; wherein when the implant is in the elastically deformed state, the bridge is elastically deformed; and
an inserter comprising a body, a knob captive to the body within a slot in a proximal portion of the body, a ram for engaging the bridge, and first and second hooks for engaging the connecting means, wherein a distal portion of the body comprises the first and second hooks, wherein the knob comprises a threaded hole, wherein the ram has a distal surface integrally formed with a proximal threaded ram shaft, wherein the ram shaft is received in the body and threads into the knob hole, wherein each of the first and second hooks has a proximal surface, wherein the first and second hooks are movable together relative to the ram between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein in the distal position, the proximal surfaces of the first and second hooks are distal to the distal surface of the ram by a first distance, wherein in the proximal position, the proximal surfaces of the first and second hooks are distal to the distal surface of the ram by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant, the first and second hooks receive the first and second connecting means, the proximal surfaces of the first and second hooks contact the distal surfaces of the first and second connecting means, and the distal surface of the ram faces the proximal surface of the bridge;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant and the first and second hooks are in the distal position, the implant is in the relaxed state;
wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant and the first and second hooks are in the proximal position, the implant is in the elastically deformed state.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the ram does not rotate relative to the first and second hooks.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein when the inserter is connected to the implant, the distal surface of the ram contacts the proximal surface of the bridge.