Bone stabilization device
AssigneeExsoMed Corporation
InventorsLloyd P. Champagne, Jozef Zoldos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method for stabilizing a broken bone while it heals is disclosed. The device preferably has a (a) first (or proximal) section with a driving head, threads and a first diameter, and (b) second (or distal) section that is threaded and has a second diameter. The first section is preferably greater in diameter than the second section so that greater torque can be applied to tighten the device. The device may include one or more self-tapping structures to lessen the torque required to screw it into a bone.
Claims22
(canceled)
-23. (canceled)
A method of implanting a cannulated intramedullary implant within an intramedullary canal of a metacarpal for fixation of a fracture, the method comprising:
- inserting a guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the metacarpal;
- drilling an opening into the metacarpal past a location of the fracture guided by the guidewire;
- rotatably driving the cannulated intramedullary implant into the intramedullary canal guided by the guidewire, the implant comprising a headless shaft having a trailing end and a leading end, the shaft comprising a thread of a constant pitch along an entire length of the shaft, wherein a first portion of the thread has a greater constant major diameter and a second portion of the thread has a smaller constant major diameter, the first portion of the thread being continuous with the second portion of the thread, and wherein the first portion of the thread engages bone material in a larger distal portion of the metacarpal and the second portion of the thread engages bone material in a narrower proximal and mid portion of the metacarpal such that the cannulated intramedullary implant is anchored in the metacarpal;
- and
- removing the guidewire.
A intramedullary implant configured to be implanted within an intramedullary canal of a metacarpal for fixation of a fracture:
- a headless shaft having a trailing end and a leading end, wherein the shaft comprises:
- a driving recess at the trailing end and configured to receive a driver;
- a first portion closer to the trailing end, the first portion comprising a first thread and a first root diameter which tapers to a smaller second root diameter;
- and
- a second portion closer to the leading end, the second portion comprising a second thread and the smaller second root diameter,
- wherein the first thread and the second thread have the same pitch, the first and second threads each comprising a cutting flute extending through a portion of the first and second threads respectively, and
- wherein the shaft is cannulated throughout a length of the shaft.
A method of implanting a cannulated intramedullary implant within an intramedullary canal of a metacarpal for fixation of a fracture, the method comprising:
- inserting a guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the metacarpal;
- drilling an opening into the metacarpal past a location of the fracture guided by the guidewire;
- rotatably driving the cannulated intramedullary implant into the intramedullary canal guided by the guidewire, the implant comprising a headless shaft having a trailing end and a leading end, the shaft comprising a thread of a constant pitch, wherein a first portion of the shaft closer to the trailing end has a greater outer diameter and a second portion of the shaft closer to the leading end has a smaller outer diameter, and wherein threads on the first portion engage bone material in a larger distal portion of the metacarpal and threads on the second portion engage bone material in a narrower proximal or mid portion of the metacarpal such that the cannulated intramedullary implant is anchored in the metacarpal;
- and
- removing the guidewire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.