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 glass transition temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, is responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.
Claims18
A bone stabilization device for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the device comprising:
- an elongated 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 glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone;
- the body comprising a composite structure including one or more reinforcing members embedded in a polymer matrix, the one or more reinforcing members including a woven or braided tubular member.
A bone stabilization device for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the device comprising:
- an elongated 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 glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone;
- the body including a first portion adjacent the first end, a second portion adjacent the second end, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second ends, the intermediate portion including a polymer with a glass transition temperature above 37 degrees Celsius, at least one of the first and second end portions having a construction different from the intermediate portion;
- wherein at least one of the first and second portions remains relatively rigid at a temperature at which the intermediate portion is relatively deformable.
A method for inserting a bone stabilization device into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the bone stabilization device including an elongated 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 glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is heated above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is cooled below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone, the method comprising:
- heating the polymer above the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively deformable;
- inserting the bone stabilization device into the intramedullary canal of the bone;
- and
- cooling the polymer below the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone, wherein cooling the polymer comprises actively cooling the polymer by removing heat from the polymer via a heat removal apparatus.
A method for removing a bone stabilization device from the intramedullary canal of a bone, the bone stabilization device including an elongated 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 glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the device, while the polymer is heated above the glass transition temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, while the polymer is cooled below the glass transition temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone, the method comprising:
- heating the polymer above the glass transition temperature so that the polymer is relatively deformable;
- and
- removing the bone stabilization device from the intramedullary canal of the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.