Patent ID: 6224600
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for flexible fixation of long bone or proximal femoral fractures, said device comprising an elongate mechanical tendon adapted to apply axial prestressing or lateral prestressing to a fractured bone during fixation under tension in intramedullary position therein, said tendon having first and second ends with anchor means at the first end of said tendon and screw means at the second end of said tendon, a plurality of deformable elements held captive between said first and second ends and generally disposed about and along and substantially co-axial with the same longitudinal axis as said tendon and adapted to be positioned at the focus of the fracture when said tendon is in said intramedullary position for fixation, compression components for adjustably applying a compressive force to said deformable elements to cause lateral deformation thereof relative to said longitudinal axis adapted to transversely prestress the fractured bone at said focus, tension-applying elements comprising said anchor means and said screw means adapted to apply tension force to said tendon when in said intramedullary position for axial or lateral prestressing and fixation of the fractured bone simultaneous with said transverse prestressing, a plurality of cylindrical elements disposed about said tendon with attachment means spaced apart on two of said cylindrical elements for attaching the ends of said plurality of deformable elements thereto, said compression components being adapted to be screwed on said screw means whereby to bring said two cylindrical elements together to compress said deformable elements and deform them laterally, and thereby exercise intramedullary pressure transverse prestressing of the fractured bone.