# US 11,992,248 B2 · Intramedullary implant and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,248 B2 - Document ID: US11992248B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/666,759 - Filed: 2022-02-08 - Published: 2022-05-26 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-03 - Assignees: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC - Applicants: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC - Inventors: David Barry; Manoj Kumar Singh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992248B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7291: {for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist} - A61B 17/7098: {wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw (hollow surgical screws A61B17/864)} - A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails - A61B 17/7258: {with laterally expanding parts, e.g. for gripping the bone} - A61B 17/84: Fasteners therefor {or fasteners being internal fixation devices} - A61B 17/885: {Tools for expanding or compacting bones or discs or cavities therein (A61B17/8805, A61B17/7097 take precedence)} - A61B 17/8872: {Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone (A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence)} - A61F 2/30767: {Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth} - 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 A bone implant includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first portion extending between the proximal and distal ends having a maximum and minimum portion height, and a second portion extending between the proximal and distal ends having a maximum and minimum portion height. The second portion is connected to the first portion at the proximal end and the distal end and at least one of the first portion and the second portion is moveable relative to the other of the first portion and the second portion so as to transition the bone implant between a relaxed state wherein the first and second portions are separated by a first distance and a contracted state wherein the first and second portions are separated by a second distance different from the first distance. At least one of the proximal end and the distal end have the minimum portion height. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An arthrodesis implant for joining a first bone and a second bone that form an articulable joint, comprising: a first elongate portion; a second elongate portion joined to the first elongate portion at a proximal end and a distal end of the arthrodesis implant, wherein the first elongate portion and second elongate portion each extend away from a plane and each other at the proximal and distal ends of the arthrodesis implant and extend toward the plane intermediate the proximal and distal ends so as to form a first and second space between the first and second elongate portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the plane intersects the proximal and distal ends of the arthrodesis implant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the plane intersects the first and second spaces. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the arthrodesis implant lies in the plane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The implant of claim 3, wherein the first and second elongate portions are offset from each other in a direction parallel to the plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein a maximum distance between the first and second elongate portions at the first space is perpendicular to the plane. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first elongate portion has a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section, the first elongate portion intersecting the plane such that the first and second end sections are positioned at a first side of the plane and the middle section is positioned at a second side of the plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The implant of claim 7, wherein the second elongate portion has a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section, the second elongate portion intersecting the plane such that the first and second end sections thereof are positioned at the second side of the plane and the middle section is positioned at the first side of the plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The implant of claim 8, wherein the first end sections of the first and second elongate portions define the first space, the second end sections of the first and second elongate portions define the second space, and the middle sections of the first and second elongate portions define a third space. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate portions are moveable between a first state and a second state, the proximal and distal ends being further from each other in the second state than in the first state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The implant of claim 10, wherein the first and second elongate portions are biased toward the first state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The implant of claim 11, further comprising a removable clip configured to be positioned between the first and second elongate portions so as to hold the first and second elongate portions in the second state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate portions each include a plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom. ### Claim 14 An arthrodesis implant for joining a first bone and a second bone that form an articulable joint, comprising: a first elongate portion having a first end and a second end; a second elongate portion having a first end joined to the first end of the first elongate portion and a second end joined to the second end of the first elongate portion; wherein the first and second elongate portions curve away from each other at their respective first and second ends and curve towards each other and past each other at a region intermediate the first and second ends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The implant of claim 14, wherein the first and second elongate portions define a first space, a second space, and a third space, the third space being located between the first and second spaces along a longitudinal axis of the arthrodesis implant. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The implant of claim 15, wherein the first and second elongate portions are moveable between a first state and a second state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The implant of claim 16, wherein a first and second distance between the first and second elongate portions at the first and second spaces, respectively, are greater in the first state than in the second state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The implant of claim 17, wherein a third distance between the first and second elongate portions at the third space is greater in the second state than in the first state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The implant of claim 18, wherein the first and second elongate portions are offset from each other at the third space in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arthrodesis implant and perpendicular to the third distance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The implant of claim 19, further comprising a removable clip configured to be positioned within the third space to maintain the first and second elongate portions in the second state.