Method and apparatus for treating supracondylar fractures of the femur
US7341588B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/744
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes two blades for passage through the intramedullary nail, each blade when engaging the passage being freely moveable in the passage, but both blades when engaging the passage resisting rotation thereof with respect to the nail. A blade guide, when connected to the nail, defines a passage aligned with the passage through the nail for use in forming a passage in the femur into which the blade(s) are positioned.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.