Expandable orthopedic device

Abstract

An intramedullary device used to stabilize any of a variety of fractured bones. The device includes a plurality of resilient spine elements and a porous interconnection structure, which interconnects the plurality of spine elements. The porous interconnection structure can be composed of a mesh or plurality of struts connected between the spine elements, The device expands at one or both of the ends. Optionally, the shaft of the device can expand. The end of the device, when expanded, has a circumference greater than a circumference of the structural shaft. Expansion of the device is actuated by pre-shaping the spine elements and/or the interconnection structure. In this regard, the spine elements and/or interconnection structure can be composed of a resilient material and pre-shaped, such that the end or ends of the device expand in the absence of an external restraining force. Or the spine elements and/or interconnection structure can be composed of a shape memory material, such that the end or ends of the device expand when heated to a temperature above the shape transitional temperature of the shape memory material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.