Expandable intramedullary systems and methods of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9974581-B2
Application number	US-201514946939-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 20, 2015
Priority date	Nov 20, 2015
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

Intramedullary systems, expandable intramedullary nails, expandable anchors, and methods of using the same. The intramedullary system may include an expandable intramedullary nail configured to extend into an intramedullary canal of a long bone and/or one or more expandable anchors configured to extend at an angle transverse to the intramedullary nail. The intramedullary nails and/or anchors may include one or more integrated expansion mechanisms that allow for insertion in a contracted configuration and expansion into a deployed configuration to lock the relative position and prevent axial rotation and translation of the system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for stabilizing a long bone, the method comprising:
inserting an expandable intramedullary nail into an intramedullary canal of a long bone in a contracted position, the intramedullary nail having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having an opening extending therethrough, and the distal portion having one or more expandable fixation members disposed in the intramedullary nail, one of the one more expandable fixation members extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail;
inserting a proximal anchor through the opening in the intramedullary nail and substantially transverse to the intramedullary nail to securely anchor the proximal portion of intramedullary nail; and
deploying the one or more fixation members to an expanded position by mechanical actuation of the expandable intramedullary nail such that the one or more fixation members radially extend from the intramedullary nail to securely anchor the distal portion of intramedullary nail in the intramedullary canal, wherein, when deployed, the first end and the second end of the expandable fixation member are extended outwardly the same distance from the longitudinal axis of intramedullary nail, wherein deploying the one or more fixation members is performed by inserting an adjustment rod having at least one ramped surface into the intramedullary nail such that the at least one ramped surface engages at least one of the fixation members.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intramedullary nail further includes an actuation member, wherein the one or more fixation members are deployed by moving the adjustment rod longitudinally through the nail body.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising rotating the actuation member positioned within the adjustment rod to linearly translate the adjustment rod.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein a distal portion of the adjustment rod is arranged with a plurality of angled tongues or grooves configured to engage with corresponding angled grooves or tongues on the one or more fixation members, and wherein translational movement of the adjustment rod causes the one or more fixation members to deploy to the expanded position.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of angled tongues or grooves include at least two angled ramps spaced apart from one another and angled in the same direction.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising expanding the proximal anchor.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a distal portion of the proximal anchor has one or more expandable securing members disposed in the anchor in a contracted position, wherein, upon mechanical actuation of the one or more securing members, the one or more securing members radially extend from the anchor to an expanded position to securely anchor the proximal portion of intramedullary nail.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the expandable proximal anchor includes a cannulated elongate body, an actuation mechanism extending longitudinally through the elongate body, and at least one expandable securing member engaged with the actuation mechanism, wherein upon linear movement of the actuation mechanism, the at least one securing member deploys from the elongate body.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to a deployment member, and wherein the at least one securing member deploys into the expanded position when an axial force is applied to the adjustment member.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the deployment member is arranged with at least one angled tongue or groove configured to engage with a corresponding angled groove or tongue on the at least one securing member, and wherein translational movement of the deployment member causes the at least one securing member to deploy to the expanded position.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more expandable fixation members deploy from the intramedullary nail with continuous and discrete adjustments.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the long bone is a femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, ulna, or phalange.

13. A method for stabilizing a long bone, the method comprising:
inserting an expandable intramedullary nail into an intramedullary canal of a long bone, the intramedullary nail comprising an elongate nail body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongate adjustment rod extending through the nail body, and an actuation member, the proximal portion having an opening extending therethrough, and the distal portion having one or more expandable fixation members disposed in the nail body in a contracted position, one of the one more expandable fixation members extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail;
inserting an expandable proximal anchor through the opening and transverse to the intramedullary nail to secure the proximal portion of the intramedullary nail; and
deploying the expandable fixation members by rotating the actuation member, thereby causing the adjustment rod to linearly translate through the nail body, and the one or more fixation members to radially extend from the intramedullary nail to an expanded position to securely anchor the distal portion of intramedullary nail in the intramedullary canal, wherein, when deployed, the first end and the second end of the expandable fixation member are extended outwardly the same distance from the longitudinal axis of intramedullary nail, wherein deploying the one or more fixation members is performed by inserting the adjustment rod having at least one ramped surface into the intramedullary nail such that the at least one ramped surface engages at least one of the fixation members.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein a distal portion of the adjustment rod is arranged with a plurality of angled tongues or grooves configured to engage with corresponding angled grooves or tongues on the one or more fixation members, and wherein translational movement of the adjustment rod causes the one or more fixation members to deploy to the expanded position.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the expandable proximal anchor includes a cannulated elongate body, an actuation mechanism extending longitudinally through the elongate body, and at least one expandable securing member engaged with the actuation mechanism, and wherein upon linear movement of the actuation mechanism, the at least one securing member deploys from the elongate body.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to a deployment member, and the at least one securing member deploys into the expanded position when an axial force is applied to the adjustment member.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the deployment member is arranged with at least one angled tongue or groove configured to engage with a corresponding angled groove or tongue on the at least one securing member, and wherein translational movement of the deployment member causes the at least one securing member to deploy to the expanded position.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the adjustment member includes one or more angled projections configured to engage partial threads arranged on an inner surface of the proximal anchor to provide for ratchet-like advancement of the adjustment member.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising rotating the adjustment member such that the angled projections align with at least one smooth portion on the inner surface of the a

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• Jansen David

Classifications

• A61B17/7258

  with laterally expanding parts, e.g. for gripping the bone · CPC title

• A61B17/7275

  with expanding cylindrical parts · CPC title

• A61B17/7225

  for bone compression · CPC title

• A61B17/7266

  with fingers moving radially outwardly · CPC title

• A61B17/744 Primary

  the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail · CPC title