Targeting device for screw insertion in distal end of bone

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12471933-B2
Application number	US-202217699611-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 21, 2022
Priority date	Mar 22, 2021
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

The present application provides a new and innovative device for aiding in screw installation through a distal end of a nail installed in a patient's bone (e.g., humerus). The nail's distal end is disposed away from an insertion point of the nail into the bone. The targeting device includes a targeting body having an outer frame, a flexible member connected to the outer frame, a targeting block having multiple holes and connected to the flexible member such that the flexibility of the flexible member enables the targeting block to translate towards sides of the outer frame, and an adjustment assembly that adjusts and maintains the targeting block's position relative to the sides of the outer frame. The targeting device further includes a base plate removably coupled to the targeting body. The targeting device may be coupled to the nail at the base plate.

First claim

The invention is claimed as follows:

1 . A targeting device for aiding in the installation of a screw through a distal end of a nail installed in a bone of a patient, wherein a proximal end of the nail is disposed near an insertion point of the nail into the bone and the distal end of the nail is disposed away from the insertion point, the targeting device comprising:
a targeting body including:
an outer frame,
a flexible member connected to the outer frame,
a targeting block connected to the flexible member such that the flexibility of the flexible member enables the targeting block to translate towards a first side of the outer frame and a second side of the outer frame, the first side being opposite the second side, and wherein the targeting block includes a plurality of holes, and
an adjustment assembly configured to adjust and maintain a position of the targeting block relative to the first and second sides of the outer frame,
wherein the adjustment assembly includes:
a rod having a first threading,
a component arranged in one hole of the plurality of holes of the targeting block, wherein the component includes an opening, the opening including a second threading,
wherein the rod is positioned through the opening of the component and an opening of the targeting block, the rod arranged to engage the second threading such that rotation of the rod adjusts the position of the targeting block; and

a base plate removably coupled to the targeting body, the targeting device configured such that the base plate may be coupled to the nail.

2 . The targeting device of claim 1 , further comprising a curved connector bow, wherein the base plate is removably coupled to the targeting body via the curved connector bow such that a central plane of the curved connector bow is substantially perpendicular to a central plane of the targeting body and a central plane of the base plate is substantially perpendicular to the central plane of the curved connector bow.

3 . The targeting device of claim 1 , wherein the nail is substantially parallel to the targeting body when coupled to the base plate.

4 . The targeting device of claim 1 , further comprising a removable targeting cannula configured to be positioned through a hole of the targeting body, the removable targeting cannula configured to guide a drill bit.

5 . The targeting device of claim 1 , further comprising a removable insert adapted to be positioned against the targeting block such that the removable insert blocks access to some of the plurality of holes of the targeting block while allowing access to the remaining, non-blocked holes.

6 . The targeting device of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet arranged adjacent to at least one of the plurality of holes.

7 . The targeting device of claim 6 , wherein the magnet is embedded within the targeting block.

8 . The targeting device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a leaf spring.

9 . The targeting device of claim 1 , further comprising radiopaque components embedded within the targeting block.

10 . The targeting device of claim 9 , wherein the radiopaque components include a first set of radiopaque components arranged in a first line, a second set of radiopaque components arranged in a second line parallel to the first line, and a third radiopaque component arranged parallel to the first and second lines.

11 . The targeting device of claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of radiopaque components are arranged in a first plane, and wherein the third radiopaque component is arranged in a second plane spaced apart from the first plane.

12 . A method for installing a screw through a distal end of a nail installed in a bone of a patient, wherein a proximal end of the nail is disposed near an insertion point of the nail into the bone and the distal end of the nail is disposed away from the insertion point, the method comprising:
installing the nail into the bone of the patient, the nail including a screw hole at the distal end of the nail; coupling the targeting device of claim 1 to the proximal end of the nail; aligning the coupled targeting device with the aid of fluoroscopy such that one of the holes of the targeting block is targeted at the screw hole at the distal end of the nail; drilling a bone hole in the bone such that the drilled bone hole is aligned with the screw hole at the distal end of the nail; and installing a screw in the screw hole.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein aligning the targeting device includes inserting a targeting marker in the one of the holes of the targeting block such that an end of the targeting marking is adjacent the bone, and wherein the end of the targeting marker is radiopaque.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising coupling a straight radiopaque component to the targeting device, and wherein aligning the targeting device includes adjusting the targeting device until the coupled straight radiopaque component and the installed nail are substantially parallel on a fluoroscopy image.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the targeting block includes a first row of radiopaque components, a second row of radiopaque components parallel to the first row, and a third radiopaque component arranged parallel to the first and second rows, and wherein aligning the targeting device includes adjusting the targeting device until the third radiopaque component is equidistantly between the first and second rows of radiopaque components on a fluoroscopy image.

16 . A system for installing a screw through a distal end of a nail installed in a bone of a patient, wherein a proximal end of the nail is disposed near an insertion point of the nail into the bone and the distal end of the nail is disposed away from the insertion point, the system comprising:
the nail including a screw hole at the distal end of the nail; and a targeting device including:
a targeting body including:
an outer frame,
a flexible member connected to the outer frame,
a targeting block connected to the flexible member such that the flexibility of the flexible member enables the targeting block to translate towards a first side of the outer frame and a second side of the outer frame, the first side being opposite the second side, and wherein the targeting block includes a plurality of holes, and

an adjustment assembly configured to adjust and maintain a position of the targeting block relative to the first and second sides of the outer frame,
wherein the adjustment assembly includes:
a rod having a first threading,
a component arranged in one hole of the plurality of holes of the targeting block, wherein the component includes an opening, the opening including a second threading,
wherein the rod is positioned through the opening of the component and an opening of the targeting block, the rod arranged to engage the second threading such that rotation of the rod adjusts the position of the targeting block; and

a base plate removably coupled to the targeting body, the targeting device configured such that the base plate may be coupled to the nail.

17 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a straight component, wherein the targeting device is configured to couple the straight component to the targeting device.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the targeting device further includes a removable insert adapted to be partially inserted within at least one of the plurality of holes of the targeting block, and wherein the removable insert is configured to couple the straight component t

Assignees

• Acumed Llc

Inventors

• Prien Ole
• Sommers Mark
• Conley Brian
• Vanvleet David

Classifications

• A61B17/744

  the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail · CPC title

• A61B17/86

  Pins or screws {or threaded wires; nuts therefor (A61B17/72 take precedence)} · CPC title

• A61B17/8875

  Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches · CPC title

• A61B17/7241

  the nail having separate elements through which screws pass · CPC title

• A61B17/7082

  for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws · CPC title