Bone clip with resilient arm for proximal compression

Inventors

Seykora, Andrew W. • Sucec, Matthew C. • Wedam, Brandon

Assignees

Acumed LLC

Abstract

Devices and methods for stabilizing bone. The devices and methods may provide a more balanced proximal and distal compression when stabilizing bone. An exemplary device may comprise a staple member including a bridge connecting a first leg to a second leg. The device also may comprise a resilient arm elongated between a fixed end and a free end, and projecting from the first leg and/or from an end region of the bridge adjoining the first leg. At least a portion of the resilient arm intermediate the fixed and free ends may be inwardly adjacent and spaced from an upper region of the first leg.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a bone staple or bone clip device for stabilizing a first bone part and a second bone part. The device includes a staple member with a bridge connecting a first leg to a second leg, and it further includes a first resilient arm and a second resilient arm. Each resilient arm projects from at least one of the associated leg, the bridge, or a corner joining the leg and the bridge, and each resilient arm is configured to elastically deform towards its respective leg.

The positioning of the resilient arms with respect to the first leg and second leg is configured such that, while the device is being installed in the first and second bone parts, the first resilient arm and the second resilient arm apply a compressive force to the first and second bone parts. This compressive force compresses a gap between the first and second bone parts, thereby stabilizing the bone parts during fracture or cut stabilization.

The described embodiments characterize mechanical behavior using a stressed configuration and a relaxed configuration of the staple member, including bridge bending moment behavior. In some embodiments, the staple member is in a stressed configuration with parallel first and second legs and in a relaxed configuration with non-parallel first and second legs. The document also describes variations including slanted or stepped bridges, multiple legs and additional resilient arms, and alternative connectivity such as pivotally connected members instead of elastic deformation.

Claims Coverage

The document provides two independent claims: one directed to a device for stabilizing a first bone part and a second bone part, and one directed to a corresponding method. Across the independent claims, there are two principal inventive themes: a bridged staple member with elastically deforming resilient arms that apply compressive force to compress a gap, and installation using drilled holes with insertion of the legs while the resilient arms apply compressive force to compress the gap.

Overall claim coverage centers on a bridged staple member having resilient arms that elastically deform toward their associated legs during installation to apply compressive force and thereby compress a gap between first and second bone parts, implemented in a method by drilling holes and inserting the legs while the resilient arms exert the compressive force to compress the gap.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found