Systems and methods for intermedullary bone fracture fixation are described herein. The fixation device includes a main body having a flexible state and a rigid state. The fixation device further includes a proximal interface coupled to a proximal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an exterior surface of the bone and a distal interface coupled to a distal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an interior cavity of the bone. The fixation device further includes a locking interface to configured to convert the main body from the flexible state to the rigid state.

An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.

A flexible connecting system consists of a flexible connecting rod manufactured from a rigid material, a leading segment and a trailing segment. The body has at least one flexible center section, each having at least one slot to provide flexibility. The slot follows a sinuous, serpentine path to form a plurality of interlocking teeth that can follow a helical or a concentric path. One or more flexible sleeves are dimensioned to fit over the connecting rod to prevent the ingress or egress of material. One or both of the ends of the flexible connecting rod and flexible sleeve can be open or sealed.

The present technology may comprise a fixation device. The fixation device can comprise an elongate body comprising a plurality of interconnected segments, each of the segments comprising an engagement member, a recess configured to receive the engagement member of an adjacent one of the segments, and a plurality of channels. At least one of the channels can extend through the engagement member. The fixation device can further comprise a plurality of flexible elongate members, each extending through one of the channels. The elongate body can be transformable between a flexible configuration in which the elongate members can move relative to one another and a rigid configuration in which the elongate members are fixed relative to one another.

A flexible connecting rod is manufactured from a rigid material and having a substantially cylindrical hollow body, a leading segment with a securing area and a trailing segment having a trailing edge and a securing area. The body has at least one flexible center section, each having at least one slot to provide flexibility. The slot follows a sinuous, serpentine path to form a plurality of interlocking teeth that can follow a helical or a concentric path. Each slot has a proximal end spaced from the trailing segment and a distal end spaced from the leading segment. With multiple slots the proximal end of a slot can be spaced from, and separated by an inflexible section, or adjacent to, a distal end of a subsequent slot.

A system for treating a bone includes an insertion device for an intramedullary nail. A first end includes a channel extending therethrough so that, when the insertion device is coupled to an intramedullary nail, the channel of the device is aligned with and in communication with a channel of the nail. The system also includes a guide sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a first bend extending along a portion of a length thereof so that a longitudinal axis of a distal portion of the sleeve is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of a remaining portion of the sleeve. In an operative position, the distal end of the sleeve is inserted into the channel of the device and the remaining portion of the sleeve extends toward a lateral side of a bone being treated.

Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device.

Provided is a method of open reduction and internal fixation of a bone of a patient using a fixation device. The method includes analyzing the bone to obtain a fracture profile, wherein the fracture profile includes data corresponding to a physical structure of the bone, shaping the fixation device using the data of the fracture profile, heat treating the fixation device by heating the fixation device to a first temperature, cooling the fixation device to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, securing the fixation device to the bone, and heating the fixation device to a third temperature lower than the first temperature and greater than the second temperature to reduce the bone.

The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of manufacturing medical devices. An intramedullary rod includes a head member, a shaft member partially disposed within a distal recess of the head member, and an outer body member disposed circumferentially around the shaft member and a portion of the head member. Medical device systems and methods of manufacturing medical devices are also described.

A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.