Patent ID: 9055987
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for implanting at least one bone fixation element in a bone, comprising: a bone fixation element comprising thermoplastic material and defining a proximal surface area at a proximal portion thereof; a hand piece that defines a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the hand piece including a laser source configured to emit a radiant flux φ a light guiding tip having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the light guiding tip including a second optical waveguide, the proximal end of the light guiding tip being configured to mechanically, optically and removably connect to the distal end of the hand piece, and the distal end of the light guiding tip being configured to permit removable attachment of the bone fixation element thereonto, and a controller configured to recognize the light guiding tip connected to the hand piece and in response to automatically adjust a total radiant energy Q transmitted from the laser source to the bone fixation element based on the light guiding tip connected to the hand piece and the proximal surface area of the bone fixation element.