Bone stabilization device and method
AssigneeFlexfix, LLC
InventorDaniel F. Justin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a glass transition temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, is responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
Claims23
1-34. (canceled)
A bone stabilization device for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the device comprising:
- an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
A method for inserting a bone stabilization device into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the bone stabilization device including an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is heated above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is cooled below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone, the method comprising:
- heating the polymer above the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively deformable;
- inserting the bone stabilization device into the intramedullary canal of the bone;
- and
- cooling the polymer below the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
A method for removing a bone stabilization device from the intramedullary canal of a bone, the bone stabilization device including an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is heated above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is cooled below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone, the method comprising:
- heating the polymer above the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively deformable;
- and
- removing the bone stabilization device from the intramedullary canal of the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.