Implant for fusing at least two bone components and method of fusing bone components using the implant

An implant for fusing at least two bone components, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity with a predetermined shape produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has an opening therein through which the second fastener can extend to be directed into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the implant is provided in combination with the second fastener configured to extend through the opening in the second anchoring portion and into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has a cup-shaped surface,
• wherein the cup-shaped surface extends to a rim and there is a discrete cutout through the rim.

An implant for fusing at least two bone components that are different bones, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions and first and second spaced ends,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem at one of the first and second spaced ends of the body and configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity with a predetermined shape produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion has a cup-shaped wall at the other of the first and second spaced ends of the body which has a cup-shaped concave surface and an oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface,
• the first anchoring portion extending away from the cup-shaped wall,
• the cup-shaped convex surface configured to be directed into the cavity in the at least second bone component so as to appose at least a part of a surface on the at least second bone component bounding the cavity,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has an opening through the cup-shaped wall and defined to accept the second fastener directed through the cup-shaped concave surface and the oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface and into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the cup-shaped wall has a central axis and the convex outer surface is symmetrical around the central axis and tapers in an axial direction.

An implant for fusing at least two bone components that are different bones, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions and first and second spaced ends,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem at one of the first and second spaced ends of the body and configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity with a predetermined shape produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion has a cup-shaped wall at the other of the first and second spaced ends of the body which has a cup-shaped concave surface and an oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface,
• the first anchoring portion extending away from the cup-shaped wall,
• the cup-shaped convex surface configured to be directed into the cavity in the at least second bone component so as to appose at least a part of a surface on the at least second bone component bounding the cavity,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has an opening through the cup-shaped wall and defined to accept the second fastener directed through the cup-shaped concave surface and the oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface and into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the body has an elongate shape with a length between the spaced ends and a width, wherein the stem extends away from the cup-shaped wall to one of the body ends and another part of the body extends away from the cup-shaped wall at a location spaced from a location where the stem extends away from the part of the cup-shaped wall.

An implant for fusing at least two bone components, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein the stem has an elongate shape with a central axis and a flat profile approximated by a reference plane containing the central axis, the second anchoring portion has a cup-shaped wall with a substantially flat surface to bear against the second bone component with the second anchoring portion in its operative position and the flat surface of the cup-shaped wall is angled in two dimensions with respect to the reference plane.

An implant for fusing at least two bone components, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has a surface that has at least a portion with a convex shape to be directed into the cavity in the at least second bone component so as to appose at least a part of the surface on the at least second bone component bounding the cavity,
• wherein the second anchoring portion comprises a cup-shaped wall with a bottom wall portion at which a first connector is provided,
• said implant provided in combination with a first bracing component with a second connector, the first and second connectors configured to be joinable to releasably maintain the first bracing component in an operative position on the implant.

An implant for fusing at least two bone components, the implant comprising:

• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity with a predetermined shape produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has an opening therein through which the second fastener can extend to be directed into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the implant is provided in combination with the second fastener configured to extend through the opening in the second anchoring portion and into the second bone component to fix the part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component,
• wherein the stem has a plurality of openings therein each to cooperate with a fastener usable to fix the stem relative to the first bone component, and further in combination with an outrigger guide assembly that is releasably attachable to the implant and has guide openings to facilitate controlled formation of a plurality of openings in the first bone component, each alignable with one of the openings in the stem,
• wherein one of the openings in the stem is elongate,
• further in combination with a first bracing component,
• wherein the outrigger guide assembly is configured to facilitate formation of a first of the plurality of openings in the first bone component such that the first bracing component can be directed into the first of the plurality of openings in the first bone component and the one elongate stem opening at one end thereof to allow the implant to shift relative to the first bracing component to thereby reside at an opposite end of the one elongate stem opening.

A method of fusing bone components that are different bones, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component and having a cup-shaped wall which has a cup-shaped concave surface and an oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion including the cup-shaped convex surface lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener;
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• and
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener directed through the cup-shaped convex surface and the oppositely facing cup-shaped concave surface on the second anchoring portion and into the second bone component,
• wherein the step of strategically removing bone comprises removing bone to define the cavity at the placement location with a shape that is complementary to the part of the second anchoring portion that overlies the placement location,
• wherein the cavity at the placement location has a tapered shape and the step of placing the second anchoring portion comprises directing a part of the second anchoring portion into the cavity so that at least one bone surface surrounding the cavity cooperates with a part of the second anchoring portion to consistently guide the second anchoring portion into its operative position.

A method of fusing bone components that are different bones, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component and having a cup-shaped wall which has a cup-shaped concave surface and an oppositely facing cup-shaped convex surface,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion including the cup-shaped convex surface lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener;
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• and
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener directed through the cup-shaped convex surface and the oppositely facing cup-shaped concave surface on the second anchoring portion and into the second bone component,
• wherein the step of strategically removing bone comprises removing bone to define the cavity at the placement location with a shape that is complementary to the part of the second anchoring portion that overlies the placement location,
• wherein the cavity at the placement location has a tapered shape and the step of placing the second anchoring portion comprises directing a part of the second anchoring portion into the cavity so that at least one bone surface surrounding the cavity cooperates with a part of the second anchoring portion to consistently guide the second anchoring portion into its operative position,
• wherein the step of strategically removing bone comprises removing bone from the first bone component at another placement location and with the second anchoring portion in its operative position the second anchoring portion overlies the another placement location.

A method of fusing bone components, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener;
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• and
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener,
• wherein the step of strategically removing bone comprises removing bone to define the cavity at the placement location with a shape that is complementary to the part of the second anchoring portion that overlies the placement location,
• wherein the cavity at the placement location has a tapered shape and the step of placing the second anchoring portion comprises directing a part of the second anchoring portion into the cavity so that at least one bone surface surrounding the cavity cooperates with a part of the second anchoring portion to consistently guide the second anchoring portion into its operative position,
• wherein the first bone component is a radius bone and the second bone component is a carpal bone,
• wherein the second anchoring portion has a discrete cutout therein and further including the step of fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position with the cutout located to avoid impingement of a radial ulnar joint by the implant.

A method of fusing bone components the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener,
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener;
• connecting a first bracing component to the implant;
• directing a second bracing component through an elongate opening in the first anchoring portion and into the first bone component;
• and
• exerting a force tending to draw the first and second bracing components towards each other,
• whereby the second bracing component moves within the elongate opening and the first bone component and at least second bone component are urged towards each other into a desired relationship.

A method of fusing bone components, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener;
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener,
• wherein the step of strategically removing bone comprises removing bone using a reamer with a rotary cutting surface,
• wherein the rotary cutting surface is configured to produce a cup-shaped cavity and has a pilot extension;
• forming a pilot bore in the at least second bone component;
• and
• releasably connecting a guide to the second anchoring portion,
• wherein the step of placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position comprises directing a part of the guide into the pilot bore to consistently guide the second anchoring portion into its operative position.

A method of fusing bone components, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an implant comprising:
• a body comprising first and second anchoring portions,
• the first anchoring portion comprising a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component with the first anchoring portion in an operative position,
• the first anchoring portion configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to cause the stem to be fixed relative to the first bone component with the first anchoring portion in its operative position,
• the second anchoring portion configured to be fixed to at least a second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion configured such that when in an operative position at least a portion of the second anchoring portion lies within a cavity produced in the at least second bone component,
• the second anchoring portion further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion relative to the second bone component to thereby maintain the second anchoring portion in its operative position;
• directing the stem to within the first bone component to place the first anchoring component in its operative position;
• fixing the stem in its operative position using at least a first fastener;
• strategically removing bone from at least a second bone component to define a cavity at a placement location for the second anchoring portion;
• placing the second anchoring portion in its operative position wherein at least a part of the second anchoring portion overlies the at least second bone component at the placement location;
• fixing the second anchoring portion in its operative position using at least a second fastener;
• broaching the first bone component with a broaching tool;
• after broaching the first bone component, separating the broaching tool from the first bone component and directing the stem to within the first bone component;
• and
• using the broaching tool as a guide to form a pilot bore in the at least second bone component.