Bone stabilization device and method
AssigneeFlexfix, LLC
InventorDaniel F. Justin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a deformation temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the deformation temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the deformation temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the deformation temperature, is responsive to an insertion force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the deformation temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
Claims15
A bone stabilization device for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a bone, the device comprising an elongated body configured for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the 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 deformation temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., wherein the polymer is in a relatively deformable first state at a temperature above the deformation temperature and a relatively rigid second state at a temperature below the deformation temperature, the device, while the polymer is in the first state above the deformation temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, when cooled to the second state below the deformation temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
A bone stabilization device for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary canal having a non-linear lengthwise shape, the device comprising:
- an elongated body configured for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a length along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a deformation temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., wherein the polymer is in a relatively deformable first state at a temperature above the deformation temperature and a relatively rigid second state at a temperature below the deformation temperature, the device, while the polymer is in the first state above the deformation temperature, being responsive to an insertion force during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone to conform along the length of the device to the non-linear lengthwise shape of the intramedullary canal, and the device, when cooled to the second state below the deformation temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.