Distal targeting device

A method for locating a cross bore in an intramedullary nail comprising:

• inserting an intramedullary nail having a cross bore in a bone canal;
• coupling a targeting arm to the intramedullary nail, the targeting arm having a portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nail;
• mounting an adjusting device having a cross bore drill guide on the portion of the targeting arm extending parallel to the nail longitudinal axis, the adjusting device drill guide moveable in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the bore and the nail longitudinal axis, the adjusting device having a target indicator coupled thereto having at least three parallel radiopaque elements thereon;
• aligning the target indicator in an x-ray beam with the nail cross bore;
• and
• positioning the cross bore drill guide in alignment with the nail cross bore by aligning the drill guide in the x-ray beam with a central one of the parallel radiopaque elements, if necessary, by moving the adjusting device.

A method for locating a cross bore in an intramedullary nail comprising:

• inserting an intramedullary nail having an oblong cross bore with first and second portions in a bone canal;
• coupling a radiolucent targeting arm to the intramedullary nail, the targeting arm having a portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nail;
• mounting a partially radiolucent adjustment device having a cross bore drill guide on the portion of the targeting arm extending parallel to the nail longitudinal axis, the adjustment device having a radiopaque template thereon with a bore alignable with an end portion of a targeted oblong cross bore in a bone nail, the adjustment device adjustable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cross bore and the bone nail longitudinal axis to align the bore of the radiopaque template of the adjustment device with one of the end portions of the targeted oblong cross bore, the adjusting device having a target indicator coupled thereto having at least two sets of two parallel radiopaque elements thereon;
• aligning the two sets of two parallel radiopaque elements in an x-ray beam;
• and
• locating the cross bore in the nail by centering the cross bore in the x-ray beam between the two sets of parallel radiopaque elements if necessary by moving the adjusting device.