Intramedullary pin, clamp and method of use thereof
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11172973-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-16
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 a complementary clamp for grasping the intramedullary pin to immobilize reduced bone fractures. The intramedullary pin includes a curved extension having a degree of curvature of 1°–45° and further includes a distal cap with cylindrical and rounded portions and a proximal cap having a flat surface.
A grip element is located on a proximal boundary of the intramedullary pin and includes contours that are structurally complementary to clamp grasping elements. The clamp includes a handle at a proximal end, two blades extending from the handle, and a pivot adjacent the blades and a distal end of the clamp, with a plurality of grasping elements extending from the blades, including notches, protrusions, and grooves.
At least one grasping element comprises a contour that mates with the proximal cap via inverse contour geometry. In particular, the clamp includes a notch having a concave hemispherical proximal side and a flat distal side situated opposite the concave hemispherical proximal side, together defining an inverse hemispherical shape structurally complementary to the proximal cap of the intramedullary pin.
The document also discloses an instrument kit including the intramedullary pin and the complementary clamp, and optionally an awl used to puncture a bone hole for pin passage. The disclosed use is fracture immobilization using access and reduction, aligning and inserting the intramedullary pin, and then grasping and performing proximal manipulation with the clamp to immobilize bone fragments.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim directed to the clamp for grasping an intramedullary pin, with dependent claims adding contour feature options, material options, and expanding coverage to an instrument kit with optional awl functionality. The central inventive content is the specific clamp construction with grasping elements and inverse hemispherical notch geometry structurally complementary to the pin’s proximal cap.
Clamp with handle, two blades, and distal pivot for grasping intramedullary pin
A clamp for grasping an intramedullary pin comprising a handle at a proximal end, two blades extending from the handle, a pivot adjacent the blades and a distal end of the clamp, and a plurality of grasping elements extending from the blades.
Grasping elements with notch, protrusion, and groove contouring
The plurality of grasping elements comprises at least one notch, at least one protrusion, and at least one groove, wherein at least one grasping element comprises a contour.
Inverse hemispherical notch complementary to pin proximal cap
The at least one notch has a concave hemispherical proximal side and a flat distal side situated opposite the concave hemispherical proximal side, the concave hemispherical proximal side and the flat distal side together defining an inverse hemispherical shape that is structurally complementary to a proximal cap of the intramedullary pin.
Overall, the independent claim coverage centers on a clamp architecture and a structured mating interface culminating in an inverse hemispherical notch geometry that is structurally complementary to the intramedullary pin’s proximal cap.
Stated Advantages
Improved insertion stability, including rotational stability.
Improved control during insertion and extraction.
Reduced risk of dislocation or disruption.
Documented Applications
Fracture immobilization of reduced bone fractures using an intramedullary pin and the complementary clamp.
Use with an instrument kit including the clamp and intramedullary pins, optionally including an awl to puncture a bone hole for pin passage.
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