Patent ID: 6200321
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A fracture fixation system for stabilizing a fracture of a human metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bone, said system comprising:a) a fixation pin having a proximal end and a distal end, said fixation pin being sized to snugly fit within the medullary canal of the metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bone and having a stiffness sufficient to immobilize the fracture and a flexibility sufficient to permit said fixation pin to bend to facilitate insertion into the medullary canal; andb) an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end with means for boring in a first direction a hole in the bone, and a pin guide integral with said shaft which guides said distal end of said fixation pin into the medullary canal of the bone obliquely relative to said axis of said shaft when said fixation pin is moved relative to said shaft,said fixation pin and said shaft both adapted such that said distal end of said fixation pin is movable beyond said distal end of said shaft without said fixation pin entering and extending through said proximal end of said shaft, and said shaft is removable from the bone in a direction substantially opposite said first direction without removing said fixation pin from the bone.