Fracture fixation device, tools and methods
US7909825B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/7241
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a flexible state and a rigid state, a plurality of grippers disposed at longitudinally spaced locations of the elongated body, a curved rigid hub connected to the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the grippers to deploy the grippers from a first shape to an expanded second shape. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprising inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a curved rigid hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy a plurality of grippers of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.