Patent ID: 6200316
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A targeting apparatus for inserting a fastener into an implanted bone nail having a pair of locking openings aligned along an axis, comprising:a base adapted to be mounted in a fixed position with respect to a patient's limb having an implanted bone nail with a nail wall;a targeting device having a viewing axis;support structure mounted on the base for supporting the targeting device along the axis of a locking opening in the wall of the nail; including:first guide means on the support structure for supporting the targeting device for movement to an adjusted position in a first direction with respect to the nail;second guide means on the support structure for supporting the targeting device for movement in a direction generally at right angles to said first direction to a second adjusted position with respect to the nail such that the viewing axis of the targeting device generally intersects the axis of the locking opening;ball and socket means for supporting the targeting device on the base, the ball and socket means having a ball moveable in a socket to spherically adjust the targeting device to align the viewing axis of the targeting device with the axis of the locking opening in the nail for inserting a drill to form a hole in a bone in which the nail is implanted, and then to insert a fastener through the viewing axis of the targeting device for locking the bone to the nail.