Device for repairing a bone fracture

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.

Claims

1. A device for repairing a bone fracture, comprising: an elongate singular base having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end of the elongate singular base has a width greater than a width of the distal end wherein the elongate singular base tapers inward from the proximal end to the distal end; an elongate support rod having an external thread and a proximal end detachably connected to the distal end of the elongate base and having a distal end that extends distally from the elongate base to terminate at a tip; 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 wherein the connection of the two support bars is capable of forming an apex at the distal end of the elongate support rod when the toggle screw support is in a second position; and a toggle lever disposed between the two support bars, wherein the toggle lever has a hole disposed through a center of the toggle lever wherein the hole contains internal threads that correspond to the external threads of the support rod; wherein in a first position, the toggle screw type support is in a folded insertion position wherein the two support bars are substantially parallel to each other; and wherein in the 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.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the singular elongated base has a smooth exterior surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a bone with a fracture having displacement or angulation;

(3) FIG. 2 is a bone fracture repair device in a first folded position;

(4) FIG. 3 is the bone fracture repair device in a second open position;

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a control rod and a support rod detached from a construct within the fracture; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a toggle screw type support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) As depicted in FIG. 1, a bone 10 includes a fracture 12. When a bone fractures, the fragments lose their alignment in the form of displacement or angulation. For the fractured bone to heal without any deformity, the bony fragments must be re-aligned to their normal anatomical position. The claimed invention is bone fracture repair device that is inserted intrafocally into a fracture as a low profile fold and then deployed to create a rigid construct support to reduce an impacted fracture in a controlled fashion.

(8) In a first embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the device includes a first low profile folded position (FIG. 2) that is inserted into the fracture 12 using a detachable assembly 16. The implantable portion of the device includes two support bars 18 and 20 and a lever 22 forming an implantable rigid construct. The support bars 18 and 20 are hingedly connected 26 together and the lever 22 is hingedly connected 28 to one of the support bars 20.

(9) As depicted in FIG. 3, the lever 22 acts as a pawl in communication with a plurality of ratchet like teeth 30 disposed along the support bar 18 opposite the lever 22 thereby forming a pawl and ratchet type mechanism for ratcheting open the support bars 18 and 20. As the support bars 18 and 20 are ratcheted open, they reduce the fracture to its original angulation. Although depicted as a ratchet type mechanism, any mechanism that creates the triangle and locks it from sliding from closed is envisioned.

(10) Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, the detachable assembly includes an elongate base 32, an elongate support rod 34, an elongate control rod 36, a control knob 38, and an elongate control slot 40. The elongate base 32 is adapted to be held in a human hand and includes a hollow interior 42. The elongate support rod 34 includes a proximal end 44 attached to the elongate base 32 and a distal end 46 that extends distally of the elongate base 32 and is detachably connected to the support bar 20. The elongate control rod 36 includes a proximal end 48 slideably disposed in the hollow interior 42 of the elongate base 32 and a distal end 50 that extends distally of the elongate base 32 and is detachably connected to the lever 22. The control knob 38 is connected to the elongate control rod 36 and is slideably mounted on the elongate base 32 for controlling the instantaneous position of the elongate control rod 36. The elongate control slot 40 is formed in the elongate base 32, with the elongate control rod 36 being connected to the control knob 38 through the elongate control slot 40.

(11) As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control knob 38 and the elongate control rod 36 include a first position (FIG. 2) where the support bars 18 and 20 and the lever 22 are in a collapsed folded repose position. Conversely, as depicted in FIG. 3, the control knob 38 and the elongate control rod 36 include a second position where the support bars 18 and 20 and the lever 22 form a triangular support structure as the lever 22 is ratcheted upward. In both positioned, the elongate support rod 34 includes a respective fixed position unaffected by retraction and extension of the control knob 38 and the elongate control rod 36.

(12) As depicted in FIG. 4, once the implantable portion of the device is positioned within the fracture, the control rod 36 and support rod 34 are detached from the lever 22 and support bars 20, respectively, leaving the construct within the fracture site.

(13) The elongate base and support rod give control and leverage to a surgeon as they insert the implant intrafocally. Once within the fracture, the control rod attached to the folded down lever bar is pulled and through a series ratchet teeth (or any catching or locking type mechanism) on the support structure is deployed to create a rigid construct support to reduce an impacted fracture in a controlled fashion.

(14) The claimed invention allows for both the reduction and secure fixation of the fracture with one device. It is as minimally invasive as the percuateous intrafocal pinning method but has the advantage of being more controlled and precise and allows the surgeon to achieve a reduction and hold it securely with one implant. The implant is contained completely or nearly completely within the fracture site and under the skin reducing the infection risks associated with external fixation and percutaneous intrafocal pinning.

(15) Unlike plating, there is no large incision required. Similarly, unlike both plating and intramedullary, fixation of the device allows a surgeon to fixate the fracture in one position reduce the fracture back into place and securely holding it.

(16) The claimed invention can be attached to a plate to provide a more secure fracture fixation. Moreover, a plurality of the implants may be stacked to distract a fracture even further.

(17) The implant is not limited to three bars linked by hinges; instead, the implant may include a plurality of bars hingedly connected.

(18) Ridges or short spike like protrusions may be placed on the bars for additional traction and friction. The device may also be cannulated to aid in more accurate placement over a k-wire. Furthermore, the distal end of the implant may have a protruding screw or spike to fix it to the far side of the bone for added stability.

(19) The device can be used alone or in combinations with plates, screws, or pins. It can attach to a plate making a construct that can both reduce and fixate a fracture. In addition, the device can be used in combination with biologic bone cement materials to provide a better reduction and reinforced construct to fix a fracture.

(20) In a second embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the implantable portion of the device may include a toggle screw type support 60. The toggle screw type support 60 includes two support bars 80 and 82 hingedly connected 84 and a toggle lever 86 disposed between the support bars 80 and 82. The toggle lever 86 includes a hole with internal threads that correspond to the external threads 94 a support rod 88. The toggle screw type support 60 includes a first position where it is folded for insertion into the fracture site and a second position where it is open forming a support structure when the elongate support rod 88 is threaded through the corresponding internal threads of the toggle lever 86. An elongate base 66 is adapted to be held in a human hand, with the elongate support rod 88 having a proximal end 90 detachably connected to the elongate base and a distal end 92 that extends distally of the elongate base.

(21) Both implantable constructs may include support bars that are shaped in an arching fashion to provide additional stability and support. The support bars, however, can be flat, round, or of any desired shape.

(22) The device can be used safely through a small incision for a slow controlled and stable fracture reduction, allowing a surgeon to fix fractures safely, effectively, and with less pain in the emergency room or office environment under a local or block anesthetic.

(23) It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

(24) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein disclosed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.