Method and apparatus for an orthopedic fixation system

Inventors

Knight, Adam T. • Cheney, Daniel F. • Marcano, Eric A. • Pancratz, David J.

Assignees

Biomedical Enterprises Inc

Abstract

An orthopedic fixation system includes a sterile packaged implant kit and a sterile packaged instrument kit. The sterile packaged implant kit includes at least one surgical implant, an insertion device, and an implant package adapted to receive the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device therein. The implant package maintains the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged implant kit. The sterile packaged instrument kit includes one or more instruments necessary to use the sterile packaged implant kit and an instrument package adapted to receive the one or more instruments therein. The instrument package maintains the one or more instruments sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged instrument kit.

Core Innovation

The orthopedic fixation system includes a sterile packaged implant kit with at least one surgical implant having legs movable between a first convergent position and a second substantially parallel position. Movement of the legs to the second substantially parallel position stores a compressive force in the implant, and movement back to the first convergent position releases the compressive force stored in the implant. An insertion device is adapted to engage the implant with the legs in their second substantially parallel position so the implant stores the compressive force.

The sterile packaged implant kit includes an implant package adapted to receive the at least one surgical implant mounted on the insertion device, where the insertion device maintains the legs in their second substantially parallel position. The implant package maintains the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged implant kit. The implant package is described as an implant tray with an outer cover and an implant seal to maintain sterility after sterilization.

The orthopedic fixation system also includes a sterile packaged instrument kit comprising one or more instruments necessary to use the sterile packaged implant kit and an instrument package adapted to receive the instruments so the instrument package maintains the one or more instruments sterile after sterilization. The instrument package is described as a corresponding sealed instrument tray and cover system and includes items such as a drill bit, locating pins, an instrument handle, and an implant tamp.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims present 4 inventive features across an orthopedic fixation system: implant leg positions and compressive force storage and release, an insertion device that maintains the legs in a substantially parallel position, an implant package that maintains sterility after sterilization, and a sterile packaged instrument kit with an instrument package that maintains instruments sterile after sterilization.

The independent claims cover an orthopedic fixation system in which a surgical implant stores and releases compressive force through movement of its legs between convergent and substantially parallel positions, an insertion device maintains the legs in the substantially parallel position, and an implant package maintains sterility after sterilization. One independent claim further includes a sterile packaged instrument kit with an instrument package that maintains the instruments sterile after sterilization.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications