Patent ID: 8216238
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of fracture fixation for fixation of a broken bone comprising a fracture site, a first fragment and a second fragment on opposing sides of the fracture site, and an intramedullary space within the bone, with portions of the intramedullary space on opposing sides of the fracture site, the method comprising: obtaining an implant having a first end and a second end; inserting at least a portion of the implant in a first direction into the intramedullary space of the first fragment through an entry point on the bone; displacing at least a portion of the implant across the fracture site in a second, substantially opposite direction to position the second end of the implant in the intramedullary space of the second fragment; affixing the second end to the second fragment; and affixing the first end to the first fragment; wherein the step of displacing at least a portion of the implant across the fracture site comprises the sub-steps of: forming an aperture in the second fragment; inserting at least a portion of a positioning instrument through the aperture; coupling at least a portion of the positioning instrument to at least a portion of the implant; and pulling at least a portion of the positioning instrument back through the aperture to, in turn, displace at least a portion of the implant across the fracture site in a second, substantially opposite direction.