Active fracture compression implants

Abstract

An assembly and method are disclosed. The assembly includes an orthopaedic implant and an active compression member. The implant has a compression screw hole with a step and the active compression member includes an outer tube and an inner slide. The tube and slide allow the proximal end portion and the distal end portion to move relative to one another. The method includes inserting a guide wire, placing a drill over the guide wire and drilling into a femur, tapping the drilled hole, using a compression device to reduce the fracture using the orthopaedic implant step, and inserting one or more active compression members into the tapped hole.

Claims

1. A compression device comprising: a. a first handle comprising a first pivot hole and at least one cam portion; b. a rod holder comprising a channel, a first receiver, and a shaft portion with a locking portion; c. a second handle comprising a body portion with a second pivot hole, a second receiver, a chamber, and a passage, the passage adapted to receive the shaft portion; d. a pivot pin for placement through the first pivot hole and the second pivot hole; e. a release member comprising an engagement portion and a thumb release, the release member configured to move within the chamber, and the engagement portion adapted to engage the locking portion; and f. a plate for engagement by the at least one cam portion, the plate comprising a capture hole adapted to receive the shaft portion, wherein the at least one cam portion causes the plate to rotate such that the shaft portion is captured by the capture hole to move the shaft portion axially to change the distance between the first receiver and the second receiver.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings which is this case is a group of sketches prepared by the inventor and, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the invention and together with the written description serve to explain the principles, characteristics, and features of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an implant assembly.

(3) FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an active compression member.

(4) FIGS. 7-8 illustrate supplemental fixation members.

(5) FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate a first orthopaedic implant.

(6) FIGS. 10 and 12 illustrate a second orthopaedic implant.

(7) FIGS. 13-18 illustrate instruments and a method for implanting the implant assembly.

(8) FIGS. 19-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the orthopaedic implant.

(9) FIGS. 21-22 illustrate a disk instrument and its use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(10) The following description of the depicted embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

(11) Embodiments of the present invention provide active compression implants that are designed for fracture repair of long bones. FIGS. 2 and 3 show how an implant assembly 100 is typically secured to a portion of a bone for fracture repair.

(12) In a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-12, an implant assembly 100 is disclosed. As best seen in FIG. 1, the implant assembly 100 includes an orthopaedic implant 10 and at least one active compression member 20. Further, while the active compression member 20 is illustrated as a cannulated screw, any surgical screw with appropriate shape, size and properties can be used. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the orthopaedic implant 10 is a plate but could equally be another device, such as an intramedullary nail (best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20). Further, there are three active compression members 20 illustrated in the figures but any number of active compression members may be used. Additionally, while the active compression member 20 is illustrated as a screw, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the active compression member 20 could equally be a peg or a helical blade (best seen in FIG. 20).

(13) Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the orthopaedic implant assembly 100 is applied to a bone, either internally in the intramedullary canal or externally against cortical bone. In the depicted embodiment, the orthopaedic implant assembly 100 is applied externally against a femur F to repair a fracture Fx. The orthopaedic implant 10, 30 may include a shaft 11 with supplemental fixation holes 18 as shown in FIG. 3 or no shaft as shown in FIG. 2. The active compression member(s) 20 span across the fracture Fx. Fixation holes 18 may be cylindrical, frusto-conical, lozenged, navicular, prolated, or combinations thereof. Fixation holes 18 may be fully-threaded, partially-threaded, or non-threaded.

(14) Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the active compression member 20 may include a head 21, distal threads 22, an inner slide 23, proximal threads 24, an outer tube 25, a spring 26, a connecting member 27, and a locking member 28. The distal threads 22 may engage cancellous bone. The proximal threads 24 may engage cortical bone and/or cancellous bone. The proximal threads 24 may have the same pitch as the distal threads 22. Further, the proximal threads 24 may have the same size threads as the distal threads 22. Those having ordinary skill in the art, however, would understand the pitch may be coarser or finer and that the thread size may be smaller or larger. In the depicted embodiments, the proximal threads 24 are larger and have a different pitch then that of the distal threads 22. The head 21 may be threaded. A portion of the inner slide 23 slides within the outer tube 25. The connecting member 27 connects the inner slide 23 with the spring 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 26 is a tension spring and is affixed to both the outer tube 25 and the connecting member 27, but those of ordinary skill in the art would understand spring 26 could equally be a compression spring adapted to push upon the inner slide 23 toward the head 21.

(15) As mentioned above, in one embodiment the active compression member may be a non-locking screw. It differs from the active compression member 20 described above in that instead of the thread on head 21, the thread is omitted. All other characteristics of this embodiment may be the same as described above.

(16) Yet another embodiment of the active compression member is a helical blade. This embodiment differs from the embodiments mentioned above in that, instead of the distal threads 22, the distal section of the screw is a helical blade. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a active compression member having a helical blade. All other characteristics of this embodiment match the active compression member 20 described above.

(17) FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate supplemental fixation members 40 that may be used with supplemental fixation holes 18. The supplemental fixation members may be a non-locking screw 42, a locking screw 44, or a peg 46. In addition, any surgical fastener compatible with an orthopaedic fracture fixation device with appropriate shapes and sizes can be used.

(18) In one embodiment, the orthopaedic implant 10 can be a bone plate. The bone plate can have different shapes and sizes according to the clinical applications.

(19) In one embodiment, the bone plate is a conventional bone plate. In another embodiment, the bone plate is a locking plate. Yet in another embodiment, the bone plate has at least one threaded screw hole to receive a locking screw and at least one non-threaded screw hole to receive a non-locking screw. Characteristics of the locking plate/screws and the non-locking plate/screws may be the same as mentioned above.

(20) FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate an embodiment of the orthopaedic implant 10. The implant 10 may have a shaft 11, at least one compression screw hole 12, an instrument hole 13, a step 14, an alignment hole 15, threads 16, one or more supplemental fixation holes 18, and a bone contacting side 19. The compression screw hole 12 may be cylindrical, frusto-conical, lozenged, navicular, prolated, or combinations thereof. The compression screw hole 12 can be threaded, partially-threaded, or non-threaded. Further, if there is more than one compression screw hole, one may be threaded or partially threaded and the other one may be non-threaded. In the depicted embodiment, there are three compression screw holes 12 arranged in a reverse triangle but other hole layouts may equally be used. In some embodiments, the implant 10 may include one or more provisional fixation holes 17. As best seen in FIG. 11, the bone contacting side 19 may be shaped to match the bone. As examples, the bone contacting side 19 may be multiple planar segments, splined, multiple curved segments, or arcuate. The step 14 provides a location for an instrument to press upon as explained in greater detail below.

(21) FIGS. 10 and 12 illustrate another embodiment of the orthopaedic implant 30. The implant 30 may have at least one compression screw hole 32, an instrument hole 33, a step 34, an alignment hole 35, threads 36, and a bone contacting side 39. In some embodiments, the implant 30 may include one or more provisional fixation holes 37. The fixation holes 37 can be either threaded or non-threaded. As best seen in FIG. 12, the bone contacting side 39 may be shaped to match the bone. As examples, the bone contacting side 39 may be multiple planar segments, splined, multiple curved segments, or arcuate. The step 34 provides a location for an instrument to press upon as explained in greater detail below.

(22) The instrument hole 13, 33 allows the orthopaedic implant to connect to an instrument. For example, the connection may be through a pin, peg, or screw. Further, the alignment hole 15, 35 may be used to orient the orthopaedic implant relative to an instrument. The alignment hole 15, 35 may be sized and shaped to receive a pin, peg, or screw. In some embodiments, instrument hole 13, 33 and/or alignment hole 15, 35 may be omitted.

(23) In some embodiments, a compression device is provided. In general, any compression device with appropriate sizes and shapes that buttresses against the bone plate and pulls a tapping section of the device axially back out of the compression screw hole 12, 32 can be used.

(24) Some embodiments include an instrument for a bone plate that has a self-tapping thread section, an integral rod section, and a compression device. In general, any compression device with appropriate size, shape and properties can be used. The instrument for a bone plate can be inserted through one of the plurality of threaded or unthreaded plate holes of the plate. Non-limiting examples of compression device are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,456,005, 7,135,023, 7,503,919, which describe compression members of a compression bone fixation device that draws a threaded screw axially, which compresses the fracture site for use in the treatment of fractures.

(25) In some embodiments, FIGS. 13-16 illustrate instruments for the implant 10, 30. FIG. 13 illustrates a rod 50 and a compression device 60. In some embodiments, the rod 50 has at least one recess 52 such that the rod is assembled to the compression device 60 through the use of the at least one recess 52.

(26) As best seen in FIG. 14, the compression device 60 may have a first handle 62, a rod holder 70, a second handle 80, a pivot pin 81, a first spring 83, a clocking pin 87, a release member 90, a plate 91, and a second spring 92. The first handle 62 has a first pivot hole 66 and one or more cam portions 64. The rod holder 70 has a channel 72, a first receiver 74, and a shaft portion 75. The shaft portion 75 has a groove 76 and a locking portion 78. The shaft portion 75 may be square, round, or D-shaped. The locking portion 78 may comprise teeth, such as ratchet teeth. The second handle 80 includes a body portion 82. The body portion 82 has a second pivot hole 84, a second receiver 85, a chamber 86, a passage 88, and a clocking hole 89. The passage 88 may be square, round, or D-shaped and may or may not match the shape of the shaft portion 75. In some embodiments, the slot 76, the clocking pin 87, and the clocking hole 89 may be eliminated. The plate 91 includes a capture hole 93. The release member 90 has an engagement portion 94 and a thumb release 96. In the depicted embodiment, there is a thumb release 96 on each side of the release member 90 but in other embodiments the thumb release 96 may be provided only on one side.

(27) For assembly of the compression device 60, the clocking pin 87 is inserted into the clocking hole 89, the second spring 92 is placed in the chamber 86, and the release member 90 is placed in the chamber 86 over the second spring 92. The shaft portion 75 is inserted into the passage 88, over the release member 90, into the first spring 83, through the capture hole 93 of the plate 91, and through the remainder of the passage 88 such that the groove 76 engages the clocking pin 87. The first spring 83 presses against the plate 91, and the second spring 92 presses against the release member 90 such that the engagement portion 94 contacts or engages the locking portion 78. The first handle 62 is placed such that the first pivot hole 66 is aligned with the second pivot hole 84 and the cam 64 engages the plate 91. Once aligned, the pivot pin 81 is inserted into the pivot holes 66, 84.

(28) In use, a user applies pressure to the first handle 62 and/or the second handle 80. The first handle 62 rotates about the pivot pin 81, which causes the cam 64 to engage the plate 91. The cam 64 causes the plate 91 to rotate such that the shaft portion 75 is captured or pinched by an upper and lower portion of the capture hole 93. As the first handle 62 continues to rotate, the captured shaft portion 75 is moved axially while the locking portion 78 slides over the release member 90 to change the distance between the first receiver 74 and the second receiver 85. When rotation stops, either by the user or mechanical limits, the cam 64 disengages from the plate, the plate 91 releases the shaft portion 75, and the engagement portion 94 engages the locking portion 78 to maintain the relative positions of the first and second receivers 74, 85. When desired, a user may press upon the thumb release 96 to allow the release member 90 to disengage from the locking portion 78 such that the rod holder 70 may slide relative to the handles 62, 80.

(29) FIGS. 15-16 illustrate the embodiments of the rod 50. In FIG. 15, the rod has a tapping section 80. The tapping section 80 may be monolithic, composite, or modular. In FIG. 16 the rod 50 is connected to a compression member 20. The compression member 20 is the same as those depicted above except the proximal threads for engaging cortical bone are omitted.

(30) While the FIGS. 13-14 illustrate the compression device 60, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other mechanisms may be used to reduce the fracture and apply compression. As best seen in FIGS. 17-18, a rod 100 is used to reduce the fracture and apply compression. The rod 100 is the same as rod 50 except it has a threaded section 106 and a handle 110. The rod 100 may have a tap section or compression member as described above. FIGS. 17-18 also illustrate a drill guide tube 120 and a nut 130. The rod 100 engages the bone fragment, through the tap section or the compression member, and the drill guide tube 120 is placed over the rod 100. The drill guide tube 120 pushes against the implant. The nut 130 is placed over the rod 100 and is rotated to engage the threaded section 106. The nut 130 uses the thread section 106 to push on the drill guide tube 120 and pull on the rod 100 to reduce and/or compress the fracture.

(31) As another example, a user could pull on the rod 100 using the handle 110 to manually reduce the fracture. Further, the user could apply a clamp (not shown) to the rod 100 to hold compression while implanting one or more active compression members 20 after manually reducing the fracture.

(32) In some embodiments, the compression device may be inserted into a patient by any suitable known technique. Generally, correct positioning of the nail or plate is critical to ensure that the screws are placed in the center of the femoral head. A guide wire is inserted angularly with respect to the femoral shaft. The guide wire is driven across the bone fracture to reach the cancellous bone of the femoral head. Optionally, according to the position of the guide wire, an appropriate reamer is used to ream a void in the cortex for receipt of the compression screw to extend through the cortex. An appropriate sized reamer can be selected to ream the femoral head. For example, the reamer can be 5 mm, 7 mm, or 9 mm in diameter. The correct depth for reaming is less than the length of the guide wire to reduce the likelihood of the guide wire being removed with the reamer. The compression screw is inserted along the guide wire and threadingly secured in the femoral head. The implant is secured to the femoral shaft and a compression screw can place the fractured bone pieces in compression across the fracture.

(33) In some embodiments, a guide wire is placed through one of the locking plate holes 12. In the depicted embodiment, the guide wire is placed through the bottom hole. A drill is placed over the guide wire and drills through the compression hole, into the femur F, and across the fracture site, using the guide wire for guidance. The drill is removed. A tap is placed over the guide wire to tap threads into the drilled hole. In some methods, the guide wire may be removed before tapping. An active compression member 20 is placed into the tapped hole. The rod 50 is attached to a self-tapping section 180. In some methods, the rod 50 may be attached before the tapping section 180 is placed into the tapped hole. In some methods, an active compression member may be connected to the rod instead of the tap. The compression device 60 is connected to the rod 50. A user squeezes the first and second handles 62, 80 to apply force to the active compression member 20. As the user squeezes the handles 62, 80, the rod holder 70 pushes against the step 14, 34. The user watches on fluoroscopy while squeezing the handles 62, 80 to see the bone fragments being reduced. In some methods, as noted above, the active compression member 20 may be used to reduce the fracture instead of the tap. After reduction, the remaining holes 12 are drilled, tapped, and receive an active compression member 20. In some methods, the remaining holes 12 can receive any bone screws that have appropriate sizes and shapes. The compression device 60 is removed. If necessary, an active compression member 20 is placed in the compression screw hole 12 that is used for reduction. Thereafter, supplemental fixators 40 may be inserted in the supplemental fixation holes 18.

(34) In another method, at least one active compression member is inserted into bone such that threads 24 are engaged as described above but the active compression member is not locked to the bone plate. The user applies the compression device 60 to reduce the fracture, and the user then inserts the active compression member to lock the compression member to the plate, all while maintaining reduction.

(35) Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the threads 16, 21, 36 are a convenient way to lock the active compression member 20 to the plate 10, 30, but there are other ways to achieve the same function. For example, a cover plate attached to the bone plate could be used to lock the active compression member in place. As another example, a manhole cover could thread into the bone plate over the active compression member to lock it in place.

(36) FIGS. 19-20 show an implant assembly 200. The implant assembly 200 includes an orthopaedic implant 210 and at least one active compression member 220. The orthopaedic implant 210 has at least one compression hole 212. Further, while the active compression member 220 is illustrated as a cannulated screw, any surgical screw with appropriate shape, size and properties can be used. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19-20, the orthopaedic implant 210 is an intramedullary nail. Further, there are two active compression members 220 illustrated but any number of active compression members may be used. Additionally, while the active compression member 220 is illustrated as a screw in FIG. 19, the active compression member 220 could equally be a peg or a helical blade, as shown in FIG. 20. In some embodiments, there is provided only a limited amount of clearance between the active compression member 220 and the compression hole 212 so the compression member 220 has a reduced likelihood of toggling.

(37) The active compression member 220 may have a head 221, distal threads or helical blade 222, and proximal threads 224. The distal threads 222 may engage cancellous bone. The proximal threads 224 may engage cortical bone and/or cancellous bone. The proximal threads 224 may have the same pitch as the distal threads 222. Further, the proximal threads 224 may have the same size threads as the distal threads 222. Those having ordinary skill in the art, however, would understand the pitch may be coarser or finer and that the thread size may be smaller or larger. In the depicted embodiments, the proximal threads 224 are larger and have a different pitch then that of the distal threads 222. In some embodiments, the proximal threads 224 may be adjacent to the head 221 to ensure purchase into cancellous bone. In yet other embodiments, the proximal threads 224 may be omitted. The head 221 may or may not be threaded.

(38) The head 221 may be threaded to lock the active compression member to the intramedullary nail. Alternatively, one or more set screws in the intramedullary nail cannulation may be used to lock each active compression member. Additionally, the active compression member may be locked through the use of: an offset or eccentric hole, a sleeve, a sliding insert, a hole that deforms when the active compression member is tightened, or a collet.

(39) Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, there is provided a disk 300. In some instances, it may be desirable to reduce the fracture Fx with more than one tap or compression member so as not to apply a moment to the fracture fragment. The disk 300 allows a user to reduce the fracture evenly and without applying a moment. The disk 300 has holes 310 and the same hole pattern as the implant 10, 30. The holes 310 may or may not be threaded. Further, holes 310 may or not include a step 312 to receive the rod 50. While FIGS. 21-22 illustrate the disk 300 as being cylindrical, other shapes, such as rectangular or triangular, could equally be used.

(40) FIG. 22 illustrates the fracture Fx, the implant 10, 30, the rod 50, and the compression device 60. As noted above, other compression devices and methods may be used. In a first embodiment, three taps are placed into the fracture fragment, the disk 300 is placed over the taps and against the implant 10, 30, the rod 50 is connected to one of the taps, and the compression device 60 is used to reduce the fracture and apply compression. In a second embodiment, the disk 300 has one non-threaded hole and two threaded holes, the rod and tap are inserted through the non-threaded hole, screws, taps, or alignment pegs 320 are connected to the threaded holes and the fracture fragment, and the compression device 60 is used to apply compression and reduce the fracture. In a third embodiment, the disk 300 is connected to the rod 50, such as by threads or a stop, such that as the compression device 60 pulls back on the rod 50 the disk 300 is also pulled back, screws, taps, or alignment pegs 320 are connected to the threaded holes and the fracture fragment, and the compression device is used to apply compression and reduce the fracture.

(41) As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

(42) Throughout this document, various references are mentioned. All such references are incorporated herein by reference.