# US 2012/0083791 A1 · Method and system for storing and inserting an implant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0083791 A1 - Document ID: US20120083791A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/924,733 - Filed: 2010-10-04 - Published: 2012-04-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-04 - Assignees: BioMedical Enterprises, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Frank Cheney; Eric Alberto Marcano; David Joseph Pancratz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120083791A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/844: {with expandable anchors or anchors having movable parts} - A61B 17/8872: {Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone (A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence)} - B65B 5/04: Packaging single articles - A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract An implant storage and insertion system for a shape memory orthopedic implant allows the implant to be constrained in a deformed state, protected, insulated, held for insertion, and properly positioned in bone. The implant storage and insertion system includes a restraining block having an impact surface. The restraining block engages an implant at a first end, and further a medical instrument engages the restraining block and positions the restraining block at a bone such that the impact surface may be impacted to insert a second end of the implant into the bone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implant storage and insertion system, comprising: a restraining block including an impact surface and being adapted to engage an implant at a first end, the restraining block further being adapted for engagement by a medical instrument, wherein the medical instrument positions the restraining block at a bone such that the impact surface may be impacted to insert a second end of the implant into the bone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block prevents the implant from being over inserted into the bone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block is made from insulating material to insulate the implant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block protects the implant and can be impacted by a blunt object to insert the implant into a bone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block is designed to conform to an implant that is not straight. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block includes an implant engagement feature that receives the first end of the implant therein thereby constraining the implant in a deformed shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block includes and an instrument engagement feature engageable by the medical instrument. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 7, wherein the instrument engagement feature deforms when engaged by the medical instrument and thereby remaining attached to the medical instrument. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 7, wherein the medical instrument includes an engagement projection that engages the instrument engagement feature of the restraining block. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, further comprising a base block being adapted to engage the implant at the second end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 10, wherein the base block includes an implant engagement feature that receives the second end of the implant therein thereby constraining the implant in a deformed shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 10, wherein the base block is adapted to engage the restraining block. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 12, wherein the base block includes a restraining block engagement feature that receives the restraining block therein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 10, wherein the base block is made from an insulating material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The implant storage and insertion system of claim 12, wherein the base block includes at least one slot that allows the medical instrument to engage the restraining block. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, further comprising an arresting tab that engages the implant thereby constraining the second end of the implant in a deformed state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implant storage and insertion system according to claim 1, further comprising an arresting tab that engages the implant thereby maintaining the proper positioning of the implant until a second bone has been inserted over the first end of the implant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The implant storage system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining block comprises: a first clamshell including an implant engagement feature that receives a portion of the first end of the implant therein, an instrument engagement feature engageable by the medical instrument, and an impacting surface; a second clamshell including an implant engagement feature that receives a portion of the first end of the implant therein, an instrument engagement feature engageable by the medical instrument, and an impacting surface; and the first clamshell being positionable adjacent the second clamshell such that the implant engagement features of the first and second clamshells engage the implant and constrain the implant in a deformed state, wherein the impact surfaces of the first and second clamshells may be impacted to insert the second end of the implant into the bone. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The implant storage system according to claim 18, wherein engagement of the instrument engagement features of the first and second clamshells by the medical instrument permits movement of the first and second clamshells such that the implant is constrained in the deformed state. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The implant storage system according to claim 18, further comprising a base block including an implant engagement feature that receives the first end of the implant therein thereby constraining the implant in a deformed shape. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The implant storage system according to claim 18, wherein the base block includes a restraining block engagement feature that receives the first clamshell and the second clamshell therein. ### Claim 22 A method of constraining an implant in an implant storage system, comprising: a. inserting a first end of an implant into a restraining block; b. manipulating the restraining block with a medical instrument to place the implant into a deformed shape; c. inserting the restraining block into a base block; and d. inserting a second end of the implant into the base block. ### Claim 23 A method of inserting an implant into bone, comprising: a. engaging with a medical instrument a restraining block having therein a first portion of an implant; b. removing with the medical instrument the restraining block from a base block; c. inserting with the medical instrument a second end of the implant into a first bone; d. opening the medical instrument thereby releasing the first end of the implant from the restraining block; e. pulling a second bone over the first end of the implant. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of inserting an implant into bone according to claim 21, wherein step c comprises tapping the restraining block with a blunt object to insert the second end of the implant into the first bone.