# US 8,540,715 B2 · Locking rod fusion device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,715 B2 - Document ID: US8540715B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/128,445 - Filed: 2009-11-10 - Published: 2011-10-13 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-11-10 - Assignees: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Applicants: Jason A. Piraino - Inventors: Jason A. Piraino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540715B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)} - A61B 17/7291: {for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist} - A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails - A61B 17/7216: {for bone lengthening or compression (A61B17/7258 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/8061: {specially adapted for particular bones (A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence)} - A61F 2002/30622: {Implant for fusing a joint or bone material} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A locking rod fusion device and method uses internal locking rods and screws that will lock together. In particular, the device allows the insertion of multiple locking rods in combination with a plate, which requires less dissection and disruption of soft tissues and vasculature. The device also provides a more stable internal construct for fusions that prevent non-unions, hardware failure and reoccurrence of deformities, such as Charcot foot. The device combines the strength of locking technology and the utility and ease of an internal rod system to provide a single stable construct in multiple planes as apposed to using multiple plates or screws separately. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A locking rod fusion device, comprising: a vertical rod; an oblique rod having a posterior end and an anterior tip, the posterior end attached to the vertical rod, the oblique rod slanting downward slightly from the posterior end to the anterior tip to establish a slightly obtuse angle between the vertical rod and the oblique rod such that when the vertical rod is inserted through a plantar foot, the oblique rod is aligned for insertion through the medial column; a locking plate implant lockingly attached to the vertical rod and the oblique rod, the locking plate implant shaped to fit against an ankle bone, the locking plate implant including a plurality of apertures aligned with the vertical rod, the oblique rod and bones in the foot when fit against the ankle bone; a first connecting rod directly attached to the locking plate implant and the vertical rod, the locking plate implant and the vertical rod having a locked engagement therebetween from the direct attachment of said first connecting rod to the locking plate implant and the vertical rod; and a second connecting rod directly attached to the locking plate implant and the oblique rod, the locking plate implant and the oblique rod having a locked engagement therebetween from the direct attachment of said second connecting rod to the locking plate implant and the oblique rod. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a third connecting rod arranged to connect the oblique rod to one of the bones in the foot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a locking screw inserted through an aperture of the vertical rod that abuts the oblique rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the vertical rod including apertures for alignment of the vertical rod against an alignment jig, the alignment jig including apertures configured for alignment of the vertical rod, the oblique rod, the connecting rods and the locking plate implant. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the oblique rod is circular in cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the oblique rod is polygonal in cross-section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said locking plate implant is adapted for subcutaneous fitment against the ankle bone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said locking plate implant is permanently locked to the vertical rod and the oblique rod to permanently immobilize an ankle joint. ### Claim 9 A locking rod fusion device, comprising: a vertical rod; an oblique rod having a posterior end and an anterior tip, the posterior end attached to the vertical rod, the oblique rod slanting downward slightly from the posterior end to the anterior tip to establish a slightly obtuse angle between the vertical rod and the oblique rod such that when the vertical rod is inserted through a plantar foot, the oblique rod is aligned for insertion through the medial column; a calcaneocuboid rod having a posterior end and an anterior tip, the posterior end attached to the vertical rod, the calcaneocuboid rod slanting downward slightly from the posterior end to the anterior tip to establish a slightly obtuse angle between the vertical rod and the calcaneocuboid rod such that when the vertical rod is inserted through a plantar foot, the calcaneocuboid rod is aligned for insertion through the calcaneocuboid joint; a first connecting rod directly attached to the calcaneocuboid rod and the oblique rod, the calcaneocuboid rod and the oblique rod having a locked engagement therebetween from the direct attachment of said first connecting rod to the calcaneocuboid rod and the oblique rod; and a second connecting rod directly attached to the calcaneocuboid rod and adapted to lock the calcaneocuboid rod to an adjacent bone of the plantar foot. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further comprising a locking screw inserted through an aperture of the vertical rod that abuts the calcaneocuboid rod. ### Claim 11 A locking rod fusion device, comprising: a vertical rod; a locking plate lockingly attached to the vertical rod, the locking plate shaped to fit subcutaneously against an ankle bone, the locking plate including a plurality of apertures aligned with the vertical rod and with bones in the foot when fit against the ankle bone; a first connecting rod directly attached to the locking plate and to the vertical rod, the locking plate and the vertical rod having a locked engagement therebetween from the direct attachment of said first connecting rod to the locking plate and the vertical rod; and an oblique rod lockingly attached to the locking plate, the oblique rod having a posterior end and an anterior tip, the posterior end attached to the vertical rod, the oblique rod having an aperture aligned with one of the apertures of the locking plate, the oblique rod slanting downward slightly from the posterior end to the anterior tip to establish a slightly obtuse angle between the vertical rod and the oblique rod such that when the vertical rod is inserted through a plantar foot, the oblique rod is aligned for insertion through the medial column. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, the locking plate being an implant adapted for subcutaneous fitment against the ankle bone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein said locking plate implant is permanently locked to the vertical rod and the oblique rod to permanently immobilize an ankle joint. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, the locking plate being an implant adapted for subcutaneous fitment against the ankle bone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising a second connecting rod directly attached to the locking plate and the oblique rod, the locking plate and the oblique rod having a locked engagement therebetween from the direct attachment of said second connecting rod to the locking plate and the oblique rod via the aligned apertures thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein said locking plate implant is permanently locked to the vertical rod and the oblique rod to permanently immobilize an ankle joint. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, the locking plate being an implant adapted for subcutaneous fitment against the ankle bone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein said locking plate implant is permanently locked to the vertical rod and the oblique rod to permanently immobilize an ankle joint. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, the vertical rod including apertures for alignment of the vertical rod against an alignment jig, the alignment jig including apertures configured for alignment of the vertical rod, the oblique rod, the connecting rods and the locking plate.