Patent ID: 11969167
Assignee: ACUMED LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method for stabilizing a first bone part and a second bone part, the method comprising:
preparing a first bone hole in the first bone part;
preparing a second bone hole in the second bone part;
coupling an implant to an inserter with both the implant and the inserter in a free state, wherein in the free state the implant is undeformed,
wherein the implant includes:
a bridge connecting a first leg to a second leg, wherein the bridge is elastically deformable,
a first retainer protruding from the bridge, and
a second retainer protruding from the bridge,

wherein the inserter includes:
a body having a left half and a right half, wherein the body is configured such that a distance between a portion of the left half and a portion of the right half is adjustable,
a first connector,
a second connector, and
a protrusion disposed between the first and second connectors, wherein the protrusion is formed monolithically with the left half and the right half of the body

wherein the first connector of the inserter engages the first retainer of the implant and the second connector of the inserter engages the second retainer of the implant when the implant is coupled to the inserter;
transitioning the inserter and coupled implant to an actuated state from the free state by bringing the left half and the right half of the inserter closer together, thereby applying force to the bridge via the protrusion and deforming the coupled implant, wherein in the actuated state the protrusion contacts the bridge at a contact point such that a gap is enclosed by the bridge and the body of the inserter between the contact point and the first connector;
inserting the first leg of the implant into the first bone hole and the second leg of the implant into the second bone hole while the inserter and coupled implant are in the actuated state; and
removing the inserter from the implant.