Patent ID: 7927332
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for fixing a bone, comprising: a reamer including (i) a shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the shaft portion being flexible and at least substantially noncannulated, (ii) a cutting head disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft portion, and (iii) an elongate, flexible tip portion in fixed axial relation to the cutting head and extending distally from the cutting head in opposing relation to the shaft portion, wherein the tip portion and the cutting head each have a length measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the length of the tip portion is greater than the length of the cutting head, wherein the cutting head includes a tapered section disposed adjacent the tip portion and forming a leading face that decreases in diameter as the leading face extends to the tip portion, and wherein the leading face includes at least one flute forming a cutting edge on the leading face, thereby endowing the cutting head with end-cutting ability; and an intramedullary nail to fix the bone, wherein the intramedullary nail has a longitudinal midpoint that conceptually divides the nail into a leading half and a trailing half, wherein the leading half is adapted to enter the bone before the trailing half, and wherein the trailing half has a substantially constant diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the cutting head.