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Publication Number
US-12226137-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Orthopedic implants for fixation of bone fractures to provide increase purchase of the orthopedic implant within specific regions of the repaired bone. Orthopedic accessory tools such as drill bits and multi-functional orthopedic sizing tools. Kits containing such orthopedic devices and methods for the use of such orthopedic implants, drill bits, and orthopedic tools.
Core Innovation
The invention provides orthopedic stabilization implants and orthopedic tools for sizing orthopedic implants intended for positioning in a cavity of an anatomic structure having an orthopedic wire extending from the cavity. The orthopedic tool includes a handle with a plurality of length markers visible from an exterior of the orthopedic tool, and the tool is configured to be advanced over a proximal portion of the orthopedic wire while a distal portion of the orthopedic wire remains within the cavity.
The invention determines a desired length of the orthopedic implant by identifying a length marker adjacent to a proximal end of the orthopedic wire, and selects a length of the orthopedic implant using the desired length. In related sizing, the orthopedic tool includes a driving shaft and implant sizing surfaces, and a non-invasive image of the first implant sizing surface and the anatomic structure is obtained so that diametric dimensions of the cavity can be compared to the sizing surfaces.
In the over-the-wire approach, an orthopedic tool is positioned over an exterior of the anatomic structure with implant sizing surfaces and length markers visible from an exterior of the handle. The first implant sizing surface is aligned along an axial centerline, a non-invasive image is obtained, and a diameter of the orthopedic implant is selected using comparison of an outer dimension of the implant sizing structure to a diametric dimension of the cavity. The method then feeds a proximal portion of the orthopedic wire within the orthopedic tool, positions the tip of the driving shaft adjacent to the anatomic structure, determines a desired length using a length marker adjacent to the proximal end of the orthopedic wire, selects the implant length, removes the orthopedic tool from the orthopedic wire, advances the orthopedic implant having the selected diameter and length over the wire, and drives the orthopedic implant into the cavity using the orthopedic tool.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent methods that collectively cover four main inventive aspects: visible length-marker based length determination over a proximal wire portion, imaging-based diametric comparison using implant sizing surfaces, alignment of the sizing surface along an axial centerline, and over-the-wire advancement and driving of the sized implant into the cavity using the orthopedic tool.
Length sizing over-wire using visible length markers
A method in which an orthopedic tool with a plurality of length markers visible from an exterior is advanced over a proximal portion of an orthopedic wire while a distal portion remains in the cavity, the tool tip is positioned adjacent to the anatomic structure, a desired length is determined by identifying a length marker adjacent to a proximal end of the orthopedic wire, and a length of the orthopedic implant is selected using the desired length.
Imaging-based diametric diameter selection from implant sizing surfaces
A method positioning an orthopedic tool over the exterior of the anatomic structure with a driving shaft including a first implant sizing surface and a second implant sizing surface, aligning the first implant sizing surface along an axial centerline, obtaining a non-invasive image of the first implant sizing surface and the anatomic structure, comparing a diametric dimension of the cavity to the first and second implant sizing surfaces on the non-invasive image to select a desired diameter corresponding to one of the sizing surfaces, and selecting a diameter of the orthopedic implant corresponding to the desired diameter.
Combined non-invasive over-the-wire diameter and length selection with driving
A method in which an orthopedic tool is positioned over the exterior of the anatomic structure with a driving shaft including a first implant sizing surface and a plurality of length markers visible from an exterior of the handle, the first implant sizing surface is aligned along an axial centerline, a non-invasive image is obtained, a diameter is selected by comparing an outer dimension of the first implant sizing structure to a diametric dimension of the cavity, a proximal portion of the orthopedic wire is fed within the orthopedic tool, the tip of the driving shaft is positioned adjacent to the anatomic structure with a distal portion of the wire within the cavity, a desired length is determined by identifying a length marker adjacent to the proximal end of the orthopedic wire, a length of the orthopedic implant is selected using the desired length, the orthopedic tool is removed from the orthopedic wire, the orthopedic implant having the selected diameter and length is advanced over the wire, and the orthopedic implant is driven into the cavity using the orthopedic tool.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on sizing orthopedic implants for cavity placement using an orthopedic tool with visible length markers and implant sizing surfaces, non-invasive imaging to select diameter by diametric comparison, axial centerline alignment of the sizing surface, and over-the-wire advancement and driving of the sized implant into the cavity.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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