Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9888951-B1
Publication Date
2018-02-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for repairing a bone fracture that is inserted intrafocally and deployed to properly position the fracture. The device includes an implant inserted intrafocally as a low profile fold and is then deployed to position the fracture.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a bone fracture repair device for intrafocal repair that is deployed from a low-profile folded implant into a rigid reduction-and-fixation construct. The device is configured for intrafocal insertion using a detachable handheld assembly, and after deployment the implant remains inside the fracture while the handheld assembly is detached.
A disclosed embodiment provides a two-bar hinged support with a lever acting as a pawl/rachet mechanism that incrementally opens from a folded condition into a triangular structure. The triangular structure reduces an impacted fracture within a rigid construct for fixation, and the opening is controlled through a detachable handheld assembly that includes an elongate base, an elongate support rod, an elongate control rod, and a control knob or elongate control slot for insertion and deployment.
A second disclosed embodiment provides a toggle-screw type support with two hingedly connected support bars and a toggle lever. The toggle lever has an internally threaded hole corresponding to external threads on an elongate support rod; when the support rod is rotated the toggle-screw type support transitions from a folded insertion position with substantially parallel support bars into an open position forming a triangular support structure with an apex at the hinged connection at the distal end.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim is supported by the single independent inventive concept of a toggle-screw type, two-bar hinged support that transitions between a folded insertion position and an open triangular support structure when driven by a detachably connected, externally threaded elongate support rod, including the tapered singular elongate base feature. No additional independent claims are present in the provided content.
Tapered singular elongate base for intrafocal deployment
An elongate singular base having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end has a width greater than the width of the distal end and the base tapers inward from the proximal end to the distal end.
Detachably connected externally threaded elongate support rod with distal tip
An elongate support rod having an external thread and a proximal end detachably connected to the distal end of the elongate base, with a distal end extending distally from the elongate base to terminate at a tip.
Toggle-screw two-bar hinged support with apex-forming open triangular structure
A toggle screw type support comprising two support bars having distal and proximal ends and hingedly connected to each other at the tip of the distal end of the elongate support rod, where the connection is capable of forming an apex at the distal end of the elongate support rod when the toggle screw type support is in a second position.
Toggle lever with internally threaded hole corresponding to support-rod threads
A toggle lever disposed between the two support bars, where the toggle lever has a hole disposed through a center of the toggle lever and the hole contains internal threads that correspond to the external threads of the support rod.
Folded insertion position transitioning to open triangular support structure on rotation
In a first position, the toggle screw type support is in a folded insertion position with the two support bars substantially parallel to each other; and in a second position, the toggle screw type support is in an open position forming a triangular support structure with the two support bars positioned to form the apex at the hinged connection when the elongate support rod is rotated.
Across the provided independent claim, the coverage centers on a tapered singular elongate base coupled to a detachably connected externally threaded support rod, driving a toggle-screw two-bar hinged support with a toggle lever to transition from a folded insertion position to an open triangular support structure.
Stated Advantages
Controlled or precise reduction of an impacted fracture.
Minimal invasiveness with reduced infection risk compared to external fixation and/or percutaneous pins.
Compatibility with plates, screws, pins, stacked implants, cannulation, and biologic cement augmentation.
Documented Applications
Intrafocal bone-fracture repair by deploying a low-profile folded implant into a rigid reduction-and-fixation construct to reduce an impacted fracture.
Augmentation use case involving biologic bone cement augmentation, as discussed in relation to compatibility.
Use with plate/screw/pin constructs and stacked implants, as discussed in relation to compatibility.
Use with cannulated devices and k-wire, as discussed in relation to compatibility.
Interested in licensing this patent?