Patent ID: 6293947
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for elongating a bone having first and second bone segments separated by a fracture comprising the steps of:(a) presenting a sterile bone distraction device in accordance with claim 1; then(b) surgically exposing said fracture and a portion of a surface on the first and second bone segments; then(c) drilling a hole in said first and second bone segments; then(d) attaching the first footplate to the first bone segment and the second footplate to the second bone segment by bioabsorbable bone fastener means and wherein the telescopic member spans the fracture; then(e) closing the wound thereby implanting the distraction device within the body; then(f) increasing the distance between the first and and second bone segments by the percutaneous adjustment of the adjustment means; then(g) repeating step (f) until the desired elongation is attained; then(h) surgically exposing and detaching the telescopic member from the first and second footplates and explanting the telescopic member while leaving the first and second bioabsorbable footplates attached to the first and second bone segments; then(i) closing the wound.