System and method for guidance and implantation of implantable devices

A system for stabilizing fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the system comprising:

• a deformable intramedullary bone fixation device having an elongated shape capable of being positioned within the intramedullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary bone fixation device comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius and being deformable at a first thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is greater than the glass transition temperature and hard at a second thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is lower than the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is in the first thermo-chemical state, being responsive to a deforming force to deform from a first shape to a second shape which conforms to a surrounding portion of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is in the second thermo-chemical state, maintaining the second shape in a relatively rigid configuration to provide reinforcement to the fractured bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone;
• and
• a guidewire configured to be removably coupled to the deformable intramedullary bone fixation device, wherein the guidewire is configured to cooperate with the deformable intramedullary bone fixation device to guide the placement of the deformable intramedullary bone fixation device into the intramedullary canal of a bone.

A method for stabilizing a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the method comprising:

• inserting a guidewire into the intramedullary canal of a bone;
• heating an elongated implant comprising a polymer above its glass transition temperature to transform it into a deformable state;
• guiding the implant along the guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the bone while it is in the deformable state;
• and
• removing the guidewire such that the implant remains in the intramedullary canal.

A method for stabilizing a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the method comprising:

• inserting a guidewire into the intramedullary canal of a bone;
• heating an elongated composite intramedullary bone fixation device comprising a polymer above its glass transition temperature to transform it into a first, deformable state;
• guiding the composite intramedullary bone fixation device along the guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the bone while it is in the deformable state;
• and
• allowing the composite intramedullary bone fixation device to cool below its glass transition temperature to transform it into a second state in which it provides reinforcement to the fractured bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone.

A method for stabilizing a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the method comprising:

• inserting a guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the bone;
• heating an elongated intramedullary bone fixation device comprising a polymer above its glass transition temperature to transform it into a first, deformable state, the intramedullary bone fixation device having a lengthwise passage;
• guiding the intramedullary bone fixation device along the guidewire into the intramedullary canal of the bone by engaging the guidewire with the lengthwise passage;
• removing the guidewire such that the intramedullary bone fixation device remains in the intramedullary canal of the bone.