Fracture fixation system
US6200321A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/921
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fracture fixation system is provided for the insertion of a fixation pin into the medullary canal of a fractured metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bone for stable bone fixation. The system includes a pin and an instrument for implanting the pin. According to one embodiment of the invention, the instrument includes a main handle and a pin handle movable relative to the main handle. The main handle includes a distal end, a drill coupled to the distal end, and a longitudinal slot which receives the pin handle. The drill includes a shaft having a distal boring tip and a groove proximal the boring tip for guiding the fixation pin. The pin handle is shaped and sized to slidably move within the longitudinal slot. The pin includes a curved, distal end. The distal end rests within the groove of the drill shaft. Movement of the pin handle within the slot of the main handle distally relative to the main handle causes the distal end of the pin to move relative to the drill shaft. In use, the main handle of the instrument is manipulated to subcutaneously introduce the drill into the metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal base, and the pin handle is then moved relative to the main handle to…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.