Intramedullary pin, clamp and method of use thereof
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10864025-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
An intramedullary pin includes a main body having a proximal boundary and a distal boundary; a curved extension having a degree of curvature of at least 1°, the curved extension being in direct contact with the distal boundary; a distal cap having a cylindrical portion and a rounded portion, the cylindrical portion being in direct contact with the curved extension; a grip element having at least one contour, the grip element being in direct contact with the proximal boundary; and a proximal cap having a flat surface, the proximal cap being in direct contact with the grip element. Also disclosed is a clamp that includes a handle, two blades, a pivot, and a plurality of grasping elements including a notch, at least one protrusion, and a groove, where one or more grasping elements have a contour that is structurally complementary to the grip element in the intramedullary pin. A method of immobilizing a bone fracture using the intramedullary pin and/or clamp is also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an intramedullary pin and an associated clamp for immobilizing a fractured bone. The method includes establishing an access point to the medullary cavity, reducing the bone fragments at the fracture, aligning an intramedullary pin at the access point, inserting the intramedullary pin at the access point and into the intramedullary cavity, and positioning the intramedullary pin within the intramedullary cavity to reduce movement of, or immobilize, the bone fragments in a reduced state.
The intramedullary pin is defined by a main body, a curved extension with a degree of curvature between 1° and 45°, a distal cap having a cylindrical portion and a rounded portion, a grip element having at least one contour, and a proximal cap having a flat surface. The proximal cap is hemispherical, with the flat surface on a distal side of the proximal cap and a spherical surface on a proximal side of the proximal cap.
The disclosed system further contemplates an instrument kit including the intramedullary pin and the matching clamp, optionally including an awl. The clamp has complementary grasping elements for the grip element, including structurally complementary contours, and the illustrative use case described in the content includes implantation for a metacarpal fracture using the clamp/pin.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is a method of immobilizing a fractured bone using a structurally defined intramedullary pin. The claim includes multiple inventive features: method steps for access, reduction, alignment, insertion, and positioning, and a structural intramedullary pin with bounded curvature and specified proximal cap geometry; dependent claims refine curvature range(s), clamp-based grasping, clamp structure, and material options.
Access-point establishing and medullary cavity immobilization method
Establishing an access point to the medullary cavity of the fractured bone; reducing the bone fragments at the fracture; aligning an intramedullary pin at the access point; inserting the intramedullary pin at the access point and into the intramedullary cavity; and positioning the intramedullary pin within the intramedullary cavity to reduce movement of, or immobilize, the bone fragments in a reduced state.
Curved-extension intramedullary pin geometry with bounded curvature
The intramedullary pin comprises a main body and a curved extension having a degree of curvature between 1° and 45°.
Distal cap and grip element structural configuration
The intramedullary pin comprises a distal cap having a cylindrical portion and a rounded portion, and a grip element having at least one contour.
Hemispherical proximal cap with distal flat surface and proximal spherical surface
The intramedullary pin comprises a proximal cap having a flat surface, wherein the proximal cap is hemispherical, having the flat surface on a distal side of the proximal cap and a spherical surface on a proximal side of the proximal cap.
Curvature refinements for specific numeric ranges or values
Dependent claims specify a curvature degree between 15° and 35° and a curvature degree of about 25°.
Clamp-based grasping for pin handling
Grasping the grip element and the proximal cap of the intramedullary pin using a clamp.
Clamp with complementary grasping contour and specified structural parts
A clamp includes a handle, two blades, a pivot, and grasping elements with a notch, protrusion(s), and a groove, where a contour on the grasping element is structurally complementary to the grip element of the intramedullary pin.
Pin material selection across multiple candidate materials
The intramedullary pin components including the main body, curved extension, distal cap, grip element, and proximal cap are made from at least one of stainless steel, titanium, nitinol, and a bioabsorbable material.
Overall claim coverage centers on immobilizing fractured bone by inserting and positioning a structurally defined intramedullary pin in the medullary cavity, with the pin curvature bounded between 1° and 45° and a hemispherical proximal cap having a distal flat surface and a proximal spherical surface. Dependent claims refine curvature ranges and values, specify clamp-based grasping and clamp structure, and add material options.
Stated Advantages
Immobilizing fractured bone by reducing movement of bone fragments in a reduced state.
Documented Applications
Implantation for a metacarpal fracture using the clamp/pin.
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