Fracture fixation device, tools and methods
US8287541B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/08021
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid, an actuatable gripper disposed at a distal location on the elongated body, a hub located on a proximal end of the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the gripper to deploy the gripper from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises 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 hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations are disclosed for allowing a device body to change shape as it moves from a flexible state to a rigid state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.