Method and apparatus for an intramudullary implant and method of implantation thereof
Inventors
Taber, Joseph H. • Cheney, Daniel F. • Ritz, Joe • Peterson, Don • Humes, Bernard
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9636155-B2
Publication Date
2017-05-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of loading an implant inserter with an implant tab and an intramedullary orthopedic implant includes placing the intramedullary orthopedic implant engaged with the implant tab in an implant tab press tool. The implant tab press tool closes the implant tab, which is then moved to a locked position. The implant press tool opens, and the implant tab coupled with the intramedullary orthopedic implant is removed therefrom. The implant tab coupled with the intramedullary orthopedic implant and the implant inserter are placed in an inserter press tool. The inserter press tool closes the implant inserter, which is then moved to a locked position. The inserter press tool opens, and the implant inserter loaded with the implant tab and the intramedullary orthopedic implant coupled therewith is removed from the inserter press tool.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an intramedullary orthopedic implant having superelastic and/or shape-memory Nitinol properties, with a body section and first and second legs extending from the second end. The first and second legs begin in a first implanted shape and are movable to a second insertion shape, enabling the implant to be anchored relative to first and second bones while creating compression between the bones. The implant includes a point of insertion at the first end of the body section.
In conjunction with the implant, the invention provides an implant tab movable between an unlocked and a locked position, and an implant inserter movable between an open and a locked position. The implant tab engages the first and second legs when the implant tab resides in its unlocked position, and the implant is placed in an implant tab press tool to close the implant tab so that the legs move to the second insertion shape. The implant tab is then moved to its locked position so the legs are constrained in their second insertion shape and coupled with the implant tab.
The invention further provides a workflow for transferring the coupled implant tab into an inserter press tool, where the implant inserter is closed to grasp the implant tab and then moved to its locked position. The implant loaded with the implant tab is thereby coupled with the implant inserter in the locked configuration, and both tools are deactivated to remove the loaded implant inserter from the inserter press tool.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim that covers a complete method of loading an implant inserter with an implant tab and an intramedullary orthopedic implant, including changing leg shapes via the implant tab and transferring the coupled implant into a locked inserter configuration. The dependent claims refine the tab, leg engagement/constraining structures, and the implant-tab and inserter press-tool/vice mechanisms via additional structural and positional limitations.
Method of loading an implant inserter with an implant tab and intramedullary orthopedic implant
A method including providing an intramedullary orthopedic implant with first and second legs movable from a first implanted shape to a second insertion shape; engaging the first and second legs in their first implanted shape with an implant tab in an unlocked position; placing the engaged implant in an implant tab press tool and activating the tool to close the implant tab and move the legs to the second insertion shape; moving the implant tab to a locked position to constrain the legs in the second insertion shape and couple the implant to the tab; deactivating the implant tab press tool and removing the tab-loaded implant; placing the coupled tab in an inserter press tool and closing the implant inserter to grasp the tab; moving the implant inserter to a locked position so it is loaded with the tab and coupled implant; and deactivating the inserter press tool to remove the loaded implant inserter.
Legs constrained in second insertion shape via unlocked-to-locked implant tab
Engaging first and second legs with an implant tab when the implant tab resides in an unlocked position, then moving the implant tab to its locked position so the intramedullary orthopedic implant is coupled with the implant tab and the first and second legs are constrained in their second insertion shape.
Implant tab press tool coupling legs by closing implant tab
Placing the intramedullary orthopedic implant engaged with the implant tab in an implant tab press tool and activating the implant tab press tool to close the implant tab such that the first and second legs of the intramedullary orthopedic implant move to their second insertion shape.
Inserter press tool grasps implant tab and transfers coupled implant to locked inserter
Placing the implant tab coupled with the intramedullary orthopedic implant in an inserter press tool; activating the inserter press tool to close the implant inserter such that the implant inserter grasps the implant tab; moving the implant inserter to its locked position where it is loaded with the implant tab and the intramedullary orthopedic implant coupled therewith; and deactivating the inserter press tool and removing the loaded implant inserter.
Overall claim coverage is directed to a loading method that converts an implant’s legs from a first implanted shape to a second insertion shape through an unlocked-to-locked implant tab action using an implant tab press tool, then transfers the coupled tab/implant into a locked implant inserter using an inserter press tool.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?