Source: http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/fra/brevet/2142951/sommaire.html
Timestamp: 2019-12-06 05:54:57
Document Index: 51358388

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n6', 'art.\n7', 'art.\n8', 'art.\n10', 'art.\n13', 'art\n16', 'art.\n22', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'arts 11']

Sommaire du brevet 2142951 - Base de données sur les brevets canadiens
Base de données sur les brevets canadiens / Sommaire du brevet 2142951
(11) CA 2142951
TELLMAN, LARS (Suède)
LAGERMAN, PEHR (Suède)
HANSSON, HENRIK (Suède)
COLLUX AB (Suède)
9400609-5 Suède 1994-02-21
9401057-6 Suède 1994-03-29
La présente invention concerne un implant pour fixer les fractures fémorales et autres fractures semblables. L'implant comprend trois parties, dont la première consiste en un élément d'angle, la seconde consiste en un support, et la troisième est une vis. L'élément d'angle comprend un manchon destiné à recevoir la vis. Le manchon et la vis sont tous deux conçus pour glisser dans un conduit aménagé dans le col et la tête du fémur d'un patient. L'élément d'angle comprend en outre une glissière que l'on fait coulisser dans le support. Ce support est, de son côté, fixé au moyen de vis d'ancrage posées dans la diaphyse du fémur. Grâce à la coopération entre la glissière et le support, l'élément d'angle peut se déplacer par rapport à la diaphyse du fémur. Le manchon de l'élément d'angle est disposé en angle par rapport à la glissière.
The present invention relates to an implant for fixing femoral fractures
and the like. The implant consists of three main parts, namely a
first part consisting of an angle element, a second part which forms a
holder and a third part in the form of a screw. The angle element
includes a sleeve for receiving the screw. Both the sleeve and the
screw are intended to be passed into a channel provided through the
neck and head of the femur of a patient. The angle element moreover
includes a slide which is slidingly accommodated by the holder. The
holder is, in its turn, secured by means of anchorage screws in the
shaft of the femur. By cooperation between the slide and the holder the
possibility is afforded that the angle element may move in relation to
the shaft of the femur. The sleeve of the angle element is disposed at
an angle in relation to the slide.
1. An implant for fixing femoral fractures and the like, consisting of
a first part, a second part and an anchorage device; said first
part including a sleeve for insertion in a channel provided in the
head of the femur, said sleeve being permanently fixed at an angle
to a slide and including a throughgoing central cavity with an
opening facing towards said slide, said slide being intended to be
disposed along the shaft of the femur and forming a sliding portion;
said second part including a sliding portion which axially
slidably cooperates with the sliding portion of said first part,
and said second part displaying apertures for receiving anchorage
screws intended to be secured in the shaft of the femur; and said
anchorage device being disposed to be received by said sleeve and
secured in the head of the femur, wherein both said sliding portions
are restrictedly movable in relation to one another transversely
of the longitudinal direction of the shaft of the femur;
and said restricted movement maximizes the displacement of the
opening of said central cavity to at most approx. 7 mm from the
neutral position of the end region; and the minimum permitted
displacement of the opening of said central cavity from the neutral
position is at least 0,1 mm.
2. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said restricted movement
of said opening of said central cavity is at most preferably
approx. 5 mm, and, as a rule, is at most approx. 3 mm; and said
minimum displacement of said opening of said central cavity is
preferably at least 0,2 mm, and, as a rule, is at least 0,3 mm.
3. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sliding portion of
said second part is formed by a groove open at both its ends; and
the slide of said first part displays, in a transitional region to
said sleeve, a cross-sectional alteration which, at a predetermined
position, prevents continued relative sliding movement of said
sliding portion of said second part in a direction towards said
4. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said second part
consists of a holder with a sliding portion in the form of a groove
which is upwardly open, i.e. directed away from the femur; said
groove is extended along the entire axial extent of said holder;
said groove of said holder displays, in cross-section, sloping
inner side walls, where the width of said groove decreases
upwardly, i.e. directed away from the femur; and said sliding
portion of said first part is of a cross-sectional configuration
with sloping side walls for sliding fit in said groove of said
5. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a groove is provided on
said slide of said first part, said groove axially slidably
surrounding said sliding portion of said second part.
6. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an arrangement is
provided for temporarily fixing said sliding portion of said first
part in relation to said sliding portion of said second part; and
said sliding portions of said first part and said second part are
prevented from sliding apart.
7. The implant as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said arrangement for
temporarily fixing consists of an aperture for receiving a locking
screw disposed adjacent the lower end of said sliding portion of
said first part, and where said aperture for receiving said locking
screw is oriented such that the tip of said locking screw locks
against said sliding portion of said second part.
8. The implant as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said arrangement for
temporarily fixing consists of friction surfaces disposed on sides
facing one another of said sliding portions of said first and
9. The implant as claimed in Claim 6, wherein for said temporary
fixation, said sliding portion of one part is provided with a
spring-tensioned pin which cooperates with an aperture in said
sliding portion of the other part.
10. The implant as claimed in Claim 6, wherein to prevent sliding apart
said sliding portion of one part is provided with a spring-tensioned
pin which cooperates with an aperture in said sliding portion
11. The implant as claimed in Claim 6, wherein for preventing sliding
apart, each respective sliding portion of said first, and said
second parts is provided with markings which must not pass one
another on application of said implant.
12. The implant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the axial extent of said
second part is equal to or less than the axial extent of said
sliding portion of said first part.
13. An implant for fixing femoral fractures and the like, consisting of
to a slide, said slide being intended to be extended along the
shaft of the femur and forming a sliding portion; said second part
including a sliding portion which axially slidably cooperates with
the sliding portion of said first part, and said second part
displaying apertures for receiving anchorage screws intended to be
secured in the shaft of the femur; and said anchorage device being
disposed to be received by said sleeve and secured in the head of
the femur, wherein the lower end of said slide can freely pass the
lower end of said sliding portion of said second part; and said
slide displays, in a transitional region to said sleeve, a
cross-sectional alteration which, at a predetermined position prevents
continued relative sliding movement of said sliding portion of said
second part in a direction towards said sleeve.
14. The implant as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the sliding portion of
15. The implant as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said second part
16. The implant as claimed in Claim 13, wherein a groove is provided on
17. The implant as claimed in Claim 13, wherein an arrangement is
part in relation to said sliding portion of said second part, and
18. The implant as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said arrangement for
19. The implant as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said arrangement for
20. The implant as claimed in Claim 17, wherein for said temporary
21. The implant as claimed in Claim 17, wherein to prevent sliding
apart said sliding portion of one part is provided with a
spring-tensioned pin which cooperates with an aperture in said sliding
portion of the other part.
22. The implant as claimed in Claim 17, wherein for preventing sliding
23. The implant as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the axial extent of
said second part is equal to or less than the axial extent of said
CA 021429~1 1998-10-29
The present invention relates to implants for fixing femoral fractures and
The term femoral fractures is here taken to signify intertrochanterian,subtrochanterian and supracondylar fractures, i.e. fractures at different
places of the thigh bone (femur).
In order to promote the healing of femoral fractures, use has been madefor a relatively long time of various types of screws or pins for fixing the
loose bone pieces in such mutual positions that the growing together of
the bone pieces across the sides of the fracture is promoted.
In intertrochanterian fractures or fractures which are both intertrochant-
erian and subtrochanterian, the orthopedist has, to support the bone
pieces around the fracture, often chosen in accordance with techniques
hitherto employed to use a fixation device (implant) comprising a screw
and an angled plate with which the screw is connected. The screw is
passed, via a bore, into the head of the femur and is thereafter screwed in
place therein. The plate is secured to the femur by means of screws of
considerably smaller dimensions than the previously mentioned screw.
The head of the femur and the femur proper have thereby obtained
mutually fixed positions even if the fixation device permits a certain, very
limited possibility for sliding in the longitudinal direction of the neck of thefemur. On the other hand, the plate secured to the femur has always
been arranged to realize a completely rigid fixation of the plate in the
longitudinal direction of the femur.
While operations in which such fixation devices are applied normally -
give the desired outcome, it is not uncommon that problems occur
because of excessive loading on the fixation device. Excessively high
loading entails, for example, that the plates or their anchorage screws
break off that the smaller anchorage screws are projected out of their
holes in the bone some time after the operation or that the large screw
up through the neck of the femur cuts through the surface definition of
the head of the femur towards the hip joint. Such problems are natural- -
ly extremely negative, involve pain to the patient and often entail
that a new operation must be carried out.
Moreover, the technique disclosed in the immediately preceding para-
.graphs entails the disadvantage that the fracture surfaces after being
subjected to loading, are occasionally fixed in positions in which the
surfaces do not fit into one another, a factor which both prolongs and
impedes the healing process. This results in bone shortening, lameness
and difficulties in walking.
indicated disadvantages inherent in prior art employed implants and ~-
makes it possible better to utilize the natural healing processes of
the human body. The implant also entails that the body, when necessary,
corrects the mutual positions of the fracture pieces so that the
25 fracture pieces, once the operation has been completed and the patient - -~
subjects the area to load by walking, assume more optimum positions
favorable for the process of healing and growing together. This is - ~ -~
effected in that the implant is of a construction which permits both
contraction and separation movements in the axial direction of the
30 shaft of the femur and in the direction of the hole made in the head of ~ -
the femur. In addition, the implant according to the present invention ~
permits movements transversely of the longitudinal direction of the shaft
of the femur to a degree which corresponds to a maximum displacement
of the fracture surfaces in relation to one another of up to approx. 7 mm.
It is not only those forces which occur in normal loading to which the
implant is subjected. When the patient is anaesthetized during the
operation, the muscles are wholly relaxed, but when the patient recovers
from the anaesthetic after the operation, considerable muscular
contractions take place. This entails considerable compression forces on
the fracture. In such an event, these forces are directed substantially
along the axial direction of the shaft of the femur. The implant according
to the present invention is of such construction that those movements
caused by the muscular contraction are absorbed and controlled by the
As was mentioned above, it is important that the implant permits
movement along the shaft of the femur. The only type of angled implant
for fractures of the femur of which we are aware and which permits the
sliding movement disclosed by way of introduction is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,628,923 issued in December 1986 to Medoff. However, the
sliding movement is restricted by the use of a distal screw. No movement
transversely of the direction of the shaft of the femur is either mentioned
or intimated in the patent specification. The above-described sought-for
function in the implant is achieved according to the present invention by
providing relative movement of respective slidable portions of a holder
anchored to the femur and of a slide carrying an anchorage screw also
anchored to the femur. The holder and slide are not directly connected to
one another so that their sliding portions can move relative to one another
and accommodate changes in the femur during loading thereof.
Applying the solution according to the present invention, there will beobtained an implant which is flexible in that it can be employed in many
different fracture formations, and in which the natural healing powers of
the human body are supported instead of, as is sometimes the case in the
employment of prior art implants, impeding and obstructing the natural
In order to create as small an operation incision as possible, the portion
fixed to the shaft of the femur must have as slight axial extent as possible
in the longitudinal direction of the shaft of the femur.
The implant according to aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,628,923
suffers from the drawback that the operational incision will be relatively
long, since the implant is of a construction which requires that the
operation incision be made longer than the retainer element itself. The
reason for this long operational incision is that there must be room to
allow for operating a compression screw or so-called distal screw
disposed in the axial direction of the retainer element, which lengthens the
operational incision by approx. 5 cm or more. Yet a further disadvantage
is that the locking of the rotational movement between the cooperating
parts of the implant is complicated, in that the circular cross-section
necessitates a solution in which rotational movements are prevented, this
being attained for an implant according to the above U.S. patent by
means of a tongue and groove.
In one embodiment of the implant according to the present invention, the
implant has a construction which entails that, when it is to bridge over a
certain length of the shaft of the femur, the advantage will be attained that
the requisite length of the implant is less than the length which is required
in the implant according to aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,628,923.
This is achieved in that the sliding portion of the second part is disposed
to permit the lower end of the sliding portion to pass the lower end of the
sliding portion of the second part.
There is a series of, to some extent contrary, demands placed on an
implant for fixing femoral fractures. The basic requirement is that the
implant must be suffficiently powerful in order to be able to absorb those
forces to which it is expected to be subjected, without risking breakage.
For the orthopedist, it is important that the implant is simple to handle so
that he/she can quite simply concentrate on applying it in place. In an
alternative embodiment of the present invention the implant is, therefore,
arranged so as to permit the mutually sliding parts, to be temporarily and
adjustably fixed to one another until the implant is in place.
There are further requirements that the implant should follow and connect
as closely as possible to the bone and project out as little as possible from
the femur, in order that the patient does not suffer from greater discomfort
In order, if possible, to avoid the risk that the orthopedist places the
different implant parts too far apart, which could result in such large torque
forces being applied that there is a risk of breakage, the implant is, in one
embodiment, provided with a mechanical stop which prevents sliding
movement past a certain critical position. In one alternative embodiment,
the point which may not be passed on a sliding movement is shown by
Yet a further advantageous feature of the implant according to the present
invention is that the retainer plate is designed so that the screws which
are secured in the femur will be in place crosswise, which improves
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an
implant for fixing femoral fractures and the like, consisting of a first part, asecond part and an anchorage device; said first part including a sleeve for
insertion in a channel provided in the head of the femur, said sleeve being
permanently fixed at an angle to a slide and including a throughgoing
central cavity with an opening facing towards said slide, said slide being
intended to be disposed along the shaft of the femur and forming a sliding
portion; said second part including a sliding portion which axially slidably
cooperates with the sliding portion of said first part, and said second part
disposed to be received by said sleeve and secured in the head of the
femur, wherein both said sliding portions are restrictedly movable in
relation to one another transversely of the longitudinal direction of the
shaft of the femur; and said restricted movement maximizes the
displacement of the opening of said central cavity to at most approx.
7 mm from the neutral position of the end region; and the minimum
permitted displacement of the opening of said central cavity from the
neutral position is at least 0,1 mm.
Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided an implant
for fixing femoral fractures and the like, consisting of a first part, a second
part and an anchorage device; said first part including a sleeve for
permanently fixed at an angle to a slide, said slide being intended to be
extended along the shaft of the femur and forming a sliding portion; said
second part including a sliding portion which axially slidably cooperates
with the sliding portion of said first part, and said second part displaying
apertures for receiving anchorage screws intended to be secured in the
shaft of the femur; and said anchorage device being disposed to be
received by said sleeve and secured in the head of the femur, wherein the
lower end of said slide can freely pass the lower end of said sliding portion
of said second part; and said slide displays, in a transitional region to said
sleeve, a cross-sectional alteration which, at a predetermined position
prevents continued relative sliding movement of said sliding portion of
said second part in a direction towards said sleeve.
The present invention will now be described in greater detail herein-
below, with the aid of embodiments shown on the drawings. In the
Fig. la is a top plan view illustrating the movability of the
implant; ~
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 seen
from the side; ~
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ,~-
in Fig. I or Fig. la;
Fig. 4 is an end elevation of one of the details in the
embodiments of Fig. I or Fig. la; -
of the sliding movement between the d;fferent parts - ~ ~ '
included in the embodiments according to Fig. I or
Fig. 8 is a cross-section corresponding to that of Fig. 3 of
an alternative embodiment;
Fig. 9 shows an implant according to the present invention ~
fixed to the femur; ~-
. . :. ..: .
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
In the embodiment shown in the Figures (cf. Figs. 1 and 2), the implant
consists of three main parts, namely a first part constituting an angle - ;
element 1, a second part forming a holder 2 and a third part in the
form of an anchorage device 3 and shown in the Figures in one preferred
embodiment in which it is in the form of a screw (lag screw) 3, herein-
lS after designated main screw 3. ; ; .
The angle element 1 has a first section which substantially consists of
a sleeve 10, and a second section which substantially consists of a
slide 11. In the region 14 where the sleeve 10 merges into the sl;de ;
20 11, the angle element 1 displays a portion 16 which is thickened in
relation to the slide 11. The thickened portion forms the upper region
of the slide. The central cavity 13 of the sleeve 10 ;s arranged to ' -~
receive the main screw 3 preferably with tight fit. The one opening 47
of the central cavi~tyiis located in the thickened portion 16. The slide
25 11 is intended to be disposed substantially parallel with the shaft of
the femur. The section between the transitional region 14 and the lower
end 15 of the slide forms the sliding portion 11 of the first part 1.
30 Fig. 2). Normally, the angle a is of the order of magnitude of between --
120-150~. Preferably said angle a varies between 130~ and 140~, and, as ;
~21429~1
a rule is approx. 135~. In other embodiments intended for special types
of fractures and bone sizes, the angle a varies further.
As is apparent from Fig. 3, the slide 11 has, in the illustrated em-
bodiment, sloping side walls 12 where the width of the slide 11
surgically inserted with the implant decreases in a direction away from
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1,1a and 9, the holder 2 dis- ~
lO plays a groove 21 (cf. Fig. 4) of a cross-sectional configuration which ~ -
corresponds to the cross-sectional configuration of the slide 11, i.e.
the groove displays side walls 22 which slope towards one another. The
groove 21 forms the sliding portion 21 of the second part 2. The holder i;
2 moreover has a number of flange portions 24 through which holes 25
lS are provided for receiving screws 5 which are intended to be secured in - ;~
the femur. These screws are of smaller dimensions than the main screw 3
and are hereinafter generally referred to as anchorage screws S. The
groove 21 on the holder 2 is throughgoing, i.e. it has no stop abutment
at the end of the grooves 20,23, whereby the entire groove length in
this embodiment can be utilized for accommodating the slide 11, which
entails that the operational incision will be kept short. The absence
of stop abutments entails that one and the same holder 2 can be em-
ployed for angle elements 1 with different lengths of the slide 11. -
The holder 2a according to the embodiment in Fig. 11 differs from the
holder 2 according to the above-described embodiment only in that the ;~
groove 21a is closed at the lower end 23a. A distal screw 48 passes
through a bore in the lower end 23a of the holder and is received in a
threaded bore 49 in the lower end 15a of the slide 11a. The head of the
distal screw abuts against the lower edge of the holder, whereby the
slide 11a is displaced upwardly or downwardly in the groove 21a of the
,~ 2142951 ~
holder 23a when the screw is rotated, and therewith the sleeve 10 of
the angle element 1. Other reference numerals have their counterparts
in those previously defined in the description of Figs. 1-10. This type
of holder is employed, for example, if there is a need for an implant
which makes it possible to apply a compression force in the axial
direction of the shaft of the femur.
One desired function of the passage of the holder is to prevent the
angle element from leaving the passage in a direction transversely of
the shaft of the femur. This function is accomplished in the shown
embodiments by the cross-sections of the sliding parts 11,11a,21,21a of ~
cross-sections are not limited to the shapes shown in the drawings, as -
this function is accomplished by a number of cross-sections such as
polygonal, circular or oval cross-sections. If a circular cross-section '
is used, the sliding parts are furnished with some type of guiding in
order to prevent the angle element from rotating in the holder. One
example of a suitable guiding is that one of the parts is furnished
with a projection which runs in a groove furnished in the other part.
In some embodiments the passage or groove 21 of the holder is closed,
i.e. covered, while in other embodiments it is open, as shown in the
The axial length of~the holider 2 is, in the embodiment illustrated in
Figs. 1,1a,9 and 10, shorter than the axial length of the sliding
portion 11 of the first part, whereby the operational incision can be ~;
kept short. A further feature of the illustrated embodiment which makes
possible short operational incisions is that the hole 25 for the lower-
most anchorage screw 5 is disposed a distance from the lower edge 23 of
the holder 2. The operational incision need not be longer than it pro-
vides access for screwing in the lowermost anchorage screw 5. Those
'' ' :~' :- . ' ;.
parts of the implant which are located lower down can be moved into ~ -
place without needing to make an incision for the region below the
lowermost anchorage screw 5. This is effected in that the tissue is ~
ments, with holes 25 for four or six anchorage screws 5, the present
invention is not restricted to implants exclusively including holders
lO having this number of holes. If necessary, a larger number of holes, -~
' ~ - ''-
In the illustrated example, the anchorage means consist of a main screw ~
3 with a thread 31 and a shaft 32 which fit into the sleeve 10. The - ~-l5 main screw 3 is disposed, if des;red, to be lockable in relation to the -
sleeve 10 with the aid of a clamping screw 4 which is screwed into a
threaded opening (not shown) in the end of the screw shaft 32. The
illustrated main screw 3 should only be seen as an example of one
embodiment, and given that the invention is not dependent upon the
exact design of the main screw 3, this will not be described in greater
detail. It is obvious that the anchorage device may be of varying
designs, for example a nail, a pin, a bolt provided with projecting
anchorage means in its end, etc.
trochanterian 42 and a subtrochanterian 43 fracture. As is apparent ~ - '
from the Figure, the main screw 3 is secured in a channel through the
neck of the femur 44 and the head of the femur 41, and the holder 2 is
30 fixed with the aid of anchorage screws 5 in the shaft 40 of the femur. i' -
21429~
Fig. la illustrates one embodiment of the invention in which the cross-
section of the sliding portion 21 of the holder 2 and the sliding por- ;
tion 11 of the angle element 1 are dimensioned such that there exists a
certain clearance between both of the sliding portions. The conical
5 cross sections entail that this clearance is at its greatest when the ;~
slide 11 is most proximal the bottom 46 of the groove 21. The dimen-
sional differences of the cross-sections are selected such that the ; ;;~
maximum permitted displacement of the opening 47 from the neutral
position is less than approx. 7 mm, preferably less than approx. 5 mm
and, as a rule~ less than approx. 3 mm. The minimum permitted
displacement of the opening 47 from the neutral position is at least
0,1 mm, preferably at least 0,2 mm, and as a rule, at least 0,3 mm. The
clearance which is required for sliding to occur is normally approx.
By cooperation between the sliding portion 11 of the slide and the
sliding portion 21 of the holder 2, it is possible that the angle
element 1 can move axially along the shaft of the femur 40. In the - -
embodiment illustrated in Fig. la, a certain limited movement is also
made possible in planes substantially at right angles to the axial
direction of the slide. The parts are manufactured from a material ;
which gives low friction between the different sliding portions of the
parts, for example surface-treated stainless steel. ~ :
The movement transversely of the shaft of the femur 40 is marked in
Figs. la and 11 by broken lines 52,52a. It will be obvious to a person ~-~
the possible directions of movement transversely of the axial direction
of the slide. In those embodiments in which the construction of the
implant permits movements transversely of the axial direction of the
2 1 4 2 9 ~
slide, such movement takes place in that direction occasioned by the
relevant loading of the implant.
When applying the implant, a channel is first drilled in the head 41 of
5 the femur in which passage the main screw 3 (according to the illus- ~-
trated embodiment) is passed once threads have been formed by a
threaded p;n on the inner wall of the channel. This is often preceded
(among other things in order to check the direction and alignment of ~ -the channel) by the drilling of a small hole, whereafter a guide wire
is passed in and up through the head of the femur. In order to be able
to use this technique, the main screw 3 is normally provided with an
axial through aperture. When the channel has been drilled and the entry
hole broadened in the radial direction to receive the sleeve, and once
the main screw 3 has been screwed ;nto the head 41 of the femur, the
sleeve 10 is passed in onto the screw shaft 32.
The next step for the orthopedist is to determine where the holder 2 is
to be placed in order to provide maximum support but nevertheless make
possible sufficient sliding along the sliding portion 21 of the holder.
When this pos;t;on has been determined, holes are drilled for the
anchorage screws S in the shaft 40 of the femur, whereafter the an-
chorage screws 5 are screwed in place in order to fix the holder 2 in
relation to the shaft 40 of the femur. Before the holder 2 is finally
fixed at the shaft~40 of the femur, a locking screw 4 may, if this is
2s considered necessary, be screwed into the bottom of the main screw 3 ~ ~;
Forces are normally exercised on the femur substantially in two direc-
tions, partly in the major direction of the head and neck of the femur, ;
30 and partly along the shaft 40 of the femur. The forces in a direction -~of the head and neck of the femur are guided via the main screw 3 and ~;-
~' :''' '
21~29~
the sleeve 10, and the forces along the shaft 40 of the femur are
guided by the sliding portions 11 and 21 of the holder 2 and the angle
element 1. The above-mentioned muscular contraction which takes place
when the patient recovers from the anaesthetics gives a relatively
5 powerful compression in the direction of the shaft 40 of the femur. -
Movements along the shaft 40 of the femur occur on healing as a rule
amounting to several cm and normally lie in the range of between 0-2
cm. The movement transversely of the shaft of the femur is substantial-
ly less and lies normally in the range of between 0-8 mm.
The implant according to the invention unites the requirement of
stability of the implant with the requirement on restrictive movement
between the meeting surfaces of the fracture. Thus, employment of the
lS implant affords the post-operative possibility of permitting a move-
ment, between the fracture surfaces, predetermined by the orthopedist,
in the longitudinal direction of the shaft of the femur and a mobility,
determined by the dimensions of the implant, transversely of the long;-
tudinal direction of the shaft of the femur. Since minor movements in a :-
20 fracture promote the healing process, the above-disclosed movements in ~ :
the longitudinal and lateral directions entail that a stimulation of
the healing process is achieved. It should be particularly noted that
the above-disclosed movements in the lateral direction afford the pos-
sibility of rectifying the fracture surfaces so that these mutually ~
25 adapt and assume a well compressed position for the fracture, at the ~ ~ -
same time as the pumping effects occurring on movement between the
fracture surfaces is utilized to the full for promoting the healing
' ' ' :,
In certain practical applications, it is desirable to restrict the
maximum downward sliding of the angle element 1 in relation to the
?.~ ',' ' ~ ' - ' ,' ' ' ;. ; ~. '
~ 2 1 4 2 9 ~
angle element 1 restricts the upward movement of the holder 2 towards
the main screw 3. When this stop function is to be employed, the ortho-
pedist places the holder 2 in such a position that the distance between
the upper edge 20 of the holder and the thickened portion 16 of the
angle element 1 corresponds to the length of the maximum movement which
can be permitted in the longitudinal direction of the shaft of the
femur. In other embodiments (not shown) the above stop function is
accomplished by flanges, lugs, ribs, beads or the like on the angle
element, replacing the thickened portion and projecting in any
direction, although the most common direction being transversally of
the longitudinal direction of the shaft of the femur.
Given that the side of the holder 2 which is intended to be turned to
face towards the shaft 40 of the femur including the flange portions 24
of the holder is of concave form, the anchorage screws 5 may, after ~ -
application, be disposed crosswise in the shaft 40 of the femur. (Fig.
10) . ,,. ~ -
In order, in an operat;on, that the holder 2 and the angle element 1
are not unintentionally separated from one another before the implant
. ... . .:
least temporarily fixes the slide 11 of the angle element 1 in relation
to the holder 2.
In embodiments according to Fig. ~, the fixing disclosed in the pre-
ceding paragraph is effected by means of a locking screw 6 which is
accommodated in a threaded through aperture 45 in the slide 11. The
temporary locking is effected in that the locking screw 6 is screwed -
down to the bottom of the groove 21 of the holder 2, the slide being
raised from the bottom and pressed against and locked by the sloping
.~ 2~2951
side walls 22 of the groove. In one alternative application, locking is
effected in that the locking screw 6 is screwed down so far that its
tip projects out beneath the slide 11 when the aperture 45 ;s located
beneath the lower edge 23 of the holder 2. The concept here is that the
locking screw 6 is backed off once the implant has been secured the
In the embodiment according to Fig. 6a, locking of the angle element 1 -
takes place with the aid of friction, in that the side walls 12 and 22
of each respective sliding portion 11, 21 are provided with friction
surfaces 19. Only the friction surface on the slide 11 is shown in Fig.
" .:,'..,
In alternative embodiments, the temporary locking is provided with the
lS aid of rubber plugs, etc.
In a further alternative embodiment, locking is effected by means of a
ball resiliently depressed into an opening in the bottom of the groove
21. The ball forces the side walls 12 of the slide 11 upwards towards
20 the side walls 22 of the groove 21 with a force which is sufficient to '
prevent sliding movements between the sliding portions 11,21.
In yet a further alternative embodiment, the ball is replaced by a -
spring-tensioned 51~ plate 50 or the like (cf. Fig. 6b). The upwardly
directed force on the slide 11 is, in the two above-disclosed embodi-
ments, sufficiently great for the parts not to become separated by the ; ~ -~
action of, for example, force of gravity but is not so great that the
parts are prevented from being displaced in relation to one another in
the normal muscular and loading forces which prevail as described
21429~1
In one alternative embodiment, the angle element 1 displays a groove
which surrounds a ridge-like elevation 29 on the holder 2, the groove
and the elevation 29 forming the sliding portions (Fig. 8).
If the holder 2 is placed too far down on the shaft 40 of the femur,
there is a risk that the end 15 of the slide 11 will be so high in the
groove 21 that the abutment between the side walls 12,22 is insuf-
ficient to withstand the torque forces which occur, in which event
either the holder 2 or the slide 11 will break. In order to prevent
this, a mechanical abutment is provided in certain embodiments, this
preventing the end 15 of the slide 11 from coming too high in the
groove 21. In the embodiment according to Fig. 7a, this abutment con- ~ -
sists of a spring-pretensioned 26 pin 27 which cooperates with a lock-
ing aperture 17 in the slide 11. This locking arrangement may also
i5 function as a temporary stop for inadvertent sliding movements in
accordance with the above. ~
Instead of a mechanical stop member, the slide 11 and the holder 2
have, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7b, been provided with markings
18,28 which must not pass one another in order to avoid the risk of
breakage of the implant as contemplated above. The markings consist of ~ - - ;
scr;bings, scorings, inlays of different colors, etc. In one alter-
native embodiment, only one of the sliding portions 11,22 is provided ;
i with a marking, whille the end of the other sliding portion constitutes
a second marking.
In the above description of the illustrated embodiment, we have taken
as a po;nt of departure the situation when the implant is employed for ~ :~
fixing intertrochanterian 42 and subtrochanterian 43 fractures. As was
disclosed in the introduction of the specification, the implant accord-
ing to the present invention can also be employed for supracondylar
~ 21429~
fractures, in which event the sleeve 10 will, however, be disposed
further down, the angle a being then between 80~ and 100~. Preferably,
the angle a varies between 90~ and 100~, and, as a rule is approx. 90~.
When use is made, in the body of this description, of expressions such
as upper, lower, etc., these generally relate only to those directions
in the Figures to which they refer.
'::, .. '.' .'"~'
Even though the description above has concentrated on femoral frac- -
tures, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the
implant according to the present invention is conceivable for use also
in fractures to other bones, such as bones of the lower leg and the
forearm. -
, ~, - .: i
lS The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number of ~-
embodiments of the present invention, but it will be readily perceived
by a person skilled in the art that the present invention encompasses a 'large number of embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope -
of the appended Claims
'' ;',''"'' ,'
'':', ,' '. '., . '
,., .".,., :-, :.'
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, :,:, . - .: .'., :~ .'
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(22) Dépôt 1995-02-20
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public 1995-08-22
Requête d'examen 1996-02-16
Expiré 2015-02-20
Dépôt 0,00 $ 1995-02-20
Enregistrement de documents 0,00 $ 1995-09-07
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 2 1997-02-20 50,00 $ 1997-02-11
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 3 1998-02-20 50,00 $ 1998-02-02
Taxe Finale 150,00 $ 1998-10-29
Expiré 2019 - Modifications après acceptation 200,00 $ 1998-10-29
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 4 1999-02-22 50,00 $ 1999-01-20
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 5 2000-02-21 75,00 $ 2000-01-26
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 7 2002-02-20 150,00 $ 2002-01-16
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 6 2001-02-20 350,00 $ 2002-01-22
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 8 2003-02-20 150,00 $ 2003-02-03
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 9 2004-02-20 200,00 $ 2004-01-20
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 10 2005-02-21 250,00 $ 2005-01-18
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 11 2006-02-20 250,00 $ 2006-02-13
Expiré 2019 - Paiement rectificatif/L'article 78.6 725,00 $ 2006-10-02
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 12 2007-02-20 250,00 $ 2007-02-12
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 13 2008-02-20 250,00 $ 2008-01-07
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 14 2009-02-20 250,00 $ 2009-01-13
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 15 2010-02-22 450,00 $ 2010-01-13
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 16 2011-02-21 450,00 $ 2011-01-28
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 17 2012-02-20 450,00 $ 2012-02-03
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 18 2013-02-20 450,00 $ 2013-01-31
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 19 2014-02-20 450,00 $ 2014-01-16
LAGERMAN, PEHR
TELLMAN, LARS
Description 1995-12-16 17 1 129
Description 1998-10-29 18 1 097
Page couverture 1995-12-16 1 48
Abrégé 1995-12-16 1 48
Revendications 1995-12-16 6 431
Dessins 1995-12-16 6 296
Page couverture 1999-02-04 1 47
Dessins représentatifs 1998-08-11 1 23
Dessins représentatifs 1999-02-04 1 4
Correspondance 2007-12-11 1 14
Poursuite-Amendment 1998-10-29 10 401
Poursuite-Amendment 1998-11-17 1 2
Correspondance 1998-10-29 1 52
Taxes 2002-01-22 2 57
Poursuite-Amendment 2006-10-02 2 49
Correspondance 2006-10-18 1 14
Correspondance 2007-09-17 1 17
Correspondance 2007-10-03 2 51
Taxes 2011-01-28 1 37
Taxes 2012-02-03 1 37
Taxes 2013-01-31 1 31
Correspondance 2014-05-01 1 4
Taxes 1997-02-11 1 64
Cession 1995-02-20 7 245
Poursuite-Amendment 1996-02-16 2 50
Poursuite-Amendment 1998-10-29 4 119
Poursuite-Amendment 1996-07-10 2 47
Correspondance 1995-05-16 1 30
Correspondance 1995-07-28 1 12
Correspondance 1996-03-14 1 55
Correspondance 1998-11-17 1 14