Patent ID: 8211107
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An intramedullary fixation device for stabilizing and orienting bones or bone fragments, said device comprising: a blade having distal and proximate ends with a longitudinal axis therebetween and a portion between said ends having a specified cross-sectional shape, wherein said cross-sectional shape is configured in consideration of the geometry of a bone into which said blade is to-be-placed and so as to enhance the ability of said blade to stabilize said bone, an intramedullary nail having distal and proximate ends, a longitudinal axis extending between said ends, said proximate end terminating in an end cross section that intersects the longitudinal axis of said nail and having a configuration that allows said nail proximate end to be directly attached to and detached from said blade, a coupling element configured so as to interact with said nail so as to lock said nail proximate end directly to said blade and prevent relative movement between said nail and blade, a means for locating and positioning within the bones to-be-treated said nail and said blade and for positioning said nail proximate end with respect to said blade so that said nail proximate end can be directly locked to said blade, and wherein said blade proximate end having a cutting edge and configured so as to enable said blade to be inserted into said bone without requiring said means for locating and positioning to be decoupled from said intramedullary nail proximate end during said blade insertion.