Patent ID: 12232784

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of these principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the present apparatus and methods for treating a bone fracture are disclosed and described, it is to be understood this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, as used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, “characterized by” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In addition, the term “at” when referring to the location or placement of an element or object means in, near, or by the area or location occupied by the particular structure or element referred to.

As used herein, the term “proximal” shall refer broadly to the concept of a nearest portion.

As used herein, the term “distal” shall generally refer to the opposite of proximal, and thus to the concept of a further portion, or a furthest portion, depending upon the context.

Referring now toFIG.1, a schematic view is shown of a known trochanteric nail10in an intramedullary cavity of a femur12. The nail10may be a relatively long variety, configured to extend a substantial entire length of the femur12. One or more proximal anchoring members14, such as bone screws, may be used to anchor a proximal end of the nail10within the femur12, and one or more distal anchoring members16may be used to anchor a distal end of the nail10.

FIG.2shows a schematic view of another known trochanteric nail18in the intramedullary cavity of a femur12. The nail18may be a relatively short variety, configured to extend only a partial length of the femur12. One or more proximal anchoring members14a, such as bone screws, may be used to anchor a proximal end of the nail18within the femur12, and one or more distal anchoring members16amay be used to anchor a distal end of the nail18.

Referring now toFIGS.3-4schematic views are shown of a trochanteric nail20in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the term “nail” as used here refers to a connective orthopedic nail implant, including but not limited to a trochanteric nail for use in a femur, as well as any other connective implant device suitable for use in any bone of interest. The nail20is depicted in the intramedullary cavity of a femur12. It will be understood that the nail20may be useful in other types of bones in addition to femurs, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. It will be understood that an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the nail20configured to extend substantially an entire length of the bone. For example, as used herein, the phrase “substantial entire length” of a bone shall be construed to mean approximately seven-five percent of the length of the bone or more, for example, eighty percent of the length, or eight-five percent, or ninety percent, or ninety-five percent, or 99.9%, or any amount in between any of those. More specifically, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to extend more than ninety percent of the length of the bone. It will be understood; however, that other embodiments of the nail may be configured to extend different lengths with respect to the bone.

One or more proximal anchoring members21may be used to anchor the nail20in the femur12. It will be understood that the anchoring members21may be bone screws or any other suitable variety of fastening mechanism known in the art for use with trochanteric nails. Accordingly, the shape, size, and configuration of the anchoring members21may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, as illustrated inFIG.4, a distal anchoring member25can be used to anchor the nail20in the femur.

Referring now toFIG.5, a break-away side view is shown of one embodiment of the nail20in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The nail20may include an elongate body22having a longitudinal axis24extending between a proximal end26and a distal end28. The body22may include a head portion30and a stem portion32located between the distal end28and a proximal end26. With the head portion30being closer to the proximal end26and the stem portion32being closer to the distal end28. The body22may also include a transition portion34between the head portion30and the stem portion32. The transition portion34may include a cross-sectional taper from a larger diameter adjacent the head portion30to a smaller diameter adjacent the stem portion32taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis24of the nail20. Accordingly, the head portion30may include a diameter that may be larger than the stem portion32.

The nail20may be viewed as including three areas or regions, a distal area20a, a medial area20b, and a proximal area20c. The distal area20ais that area of the nail20located nearby or adjacent to the distal end28. The proximal area20cis that area of the nail20located nearby or adjacent to the proximal end26. The medial area20bis that area of the nail20located between the distal and proximal areas20a,20c. Typically, the stem portion32encompasses the medial area20band distal area20a, with the head portion30located in the proximal area20c. In one embodiment, the areas are sized such that each of the respective areas20a,20b,20crepresents one-third (⅓) of the overall length of the elongate body22. The size or length of the respective areas in relation to one another may vary depending upon the overall length of the elongate body22of the nail20. For example, as the overall length of the elongate body22of the nail20increases, the overall increase in length typically occurs in the medial area20b, whereby the medial area20bmay occupy more than one-half (½) of the overall length of the elongate body22of the nail20.

A fitting36may be disposed on the head portion30at the proximal end26. The fitting36may be configured for receiving a tool (not shown) for manipulating the nail20, or for attaching an alignment guide or jig. The head portion30may also include one or more openings38. The openings38extend across the longitudinal axis24for receiving anchoring members, such as bone screws, to anchor the nail20in a bone. As shown inFIG.6, the axes of the openings38are parallel. The openings38extend across the longitudinal axis24at an angle of 90° or less.

The stem portion32may include a first opening42formed in the distal area20aof the stem portion32near the distal end28in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis24. The first opening42may comprise an oblong cross-section to allow movement of an anchoring member25therein. A second opening44may also be formed in the distal area20anear the distal end28of the body22. The second opening44may include a round cross-sectional shape for receiving an anchoring member25. While shown extending across the longitudinal axis24in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis24, the openings42,44may extend across the longitudinal axis24at an angle of 90° or less. It will be understood that other quantities of openings formed in the distal area20aof the stem portion32, or an embodiment may include no openings in the distal area20aof the stem portion32remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

As disclosed herein, the stem portion32also includes an intermediate opening50located in the medial area20bof the nail20. The opening50has an axis B. As shown inFIG.3, the axis A is non-parallel to the axis B. The intermediate opening50is disposed between the distal end28and the head portion30. The intermediate opening50configured for receiving an anchoring member23. When the nail20includes openings in the distal area20a, the intermediate opening50is spaced from and located between the openings and the head portion30. As illustrated, the intermediate opening may also extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis24, or it may extend across the longitudinal axis24at an angle less than 90°. Accordingly, the nail20may be configured such that when the intermediate opening50receives an anchoring member, the distal area20aof the nail20may remain free from anchoring members. For example, one embodiment of the nail may include a single intermediate opening50located in the stem portion32in an upper two-thirds (⅔) of the body22, such that when an anchoring member is installed in the intermediate opening50, a lower third (⅓) of the nail20remains free from an anchoring member. As used herein, the term “upper” is associated with the proximal end26of nail20while “lower” is associated with the distal end28.

Another embodiment may include a nail20having an intermediate opening50in the stem portion32in the upper one-half (½) portion of the body22, such that when an anchoring member is installed in the intermediate opening50, a lower one-half (½) of the nail20remains free from an anchoring member. Yet another embodiment may include a nail20having an intermediate opening50in the stem portion32in an upper one-third (⅓) of the body22, such that when an anchoring member is installed in the intermediate opening50, a lower two-thirds (⅔) of the nail20remains free from an anchoring member. Also, as illustrated inFIG.4, another embodiment contemplates installing an anchor member in both the intermediate opening and at least one of the openings in the distal area.

One embodiment of the nail20may include a through-bore45extending from the proximal end26to the distal end28along the longitudinal axis24. As shown in the end views ofFIGS.7and8, in one example the nail20is straight. If the nail20includes a bend48, the nail20includes two straight portions separated by the bend48. Also, a taper46may be positioned toward the distal end28of the stem portion32. The taper46may facilitate insertion of the nail20in a bone canal. Moreover, one embodiment of the nail20may include a bend48(seeFIG.8) enabling the nail20to align with a particular bone more closely. However, it will be understood that some embodiments of the nail20may be provided with a bend in a different direction, as shown inFIG.11, for example, and that other embodiments of the nail20may be provided without a bend.

One feature of the present disclosure may include a nail system for treating bone fractures in which the nail system includes a plurality of nails20having different lengths. Wherein the length is typically measured from the proximate end to the distal end. For example, the nails20may be provided in lengths of 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, and 48 centimeters. However, it will be understood that nails20of various different lengths may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. Each of the nails20may include an intermediate opening50spaced a uniform distance from the proximal end26such that the same targeting jig (not shown) may be used to install an anchoring member in the intermediate opening50. This may be helpful in avoiding the requirement to install an anchoring member using the “freehand” method, wherein a surgeon installs the anchoring member without the assistance of an instrument such as a targeting jig. One embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of nails20, each having the intermediate opening50formed approximately 15.5 centimeters from the proximal end26. It will be understood; however, that other embodiments may include the intermediate opening50positioned at different distances from the proximal end26.

A feature of the present disclosure is that the nail20may be versatile for use in a traditional manner, as shown inFIG.1, in which distal anchoring members may be installed in the bone. Alternatively, the nail20may be used without anchoring members in the distal area20aof the nail20, as shown inFIG.3.

In use, the nail20may be installed in the intramedullary canal of a bone, such as a femur12. The nail20may extend a substantially entire length of the femur12. One or more anchor members21may be installed in the openings38in the head portion30. An anchor member23may be installed in the intermediate opening50. It will be understood that a targeting jig may be used to position the anchor member23in the intermediate opening50, since the intermediate opening50may be located closer to the proximal end26of the nail20than are the openings in the distal area20aof some nails20. The portion of the nail20from the intermediate opening50to the distal end28may remain free from anchoring members.

It will be appreciated that the nail20may be formed of any known material capable of providing suitable strength and durability characteristics, as well as allowing for compatibility with the bone in which it is to be installed.

Referring toFIG.10, a break-away top view is shown of an alternative embodiment nail20a. It will be understood that the nail20amay be formed similar to the nail20, except the nail20amay be configured to be received in a different bone, such as a left femur. Accordingly, a bend48amay be arranged to allow the nail20ato correspond to a different bone.

Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a trochanteric nail that is simple in design and manufacture. Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide such a trochanteric nail that may provide enhanced stability by filling substantially an entire bone canal. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a nail that may be configured to reduce “pendulum” micro-motion and thereby reduce loosening of anchoring members. It is another feature of the present disclosure to provide a nail that may reduce the risk of bone fractures below the nail as may occur in instances where short nails are used. It is an additional feature of the present disclosure to provide a nail having an additional point of fixation that may be configured to span the isthmus of a bone canal. It is a further feature of the present disclosure to provide a nail with increased rigidity by decreasing the distance of the anchoring members from the proximal end of the nail. It is a further feature of the present disclosure to provide a nail that may allow a distal-most anchoring member to be installed using a targeting jig rather than a freehand approach. It is another feature of the present disclosure to provide a nail that may allow a distal portion of the nail to be free from anchoring members. It is an additional feature of the present disclosure, to provide a nail system in which a plurality of nails are provided having different lengths, and an intermediate opening may be provided at a uniform distance from the proximal end such that anchoring members may be installed in the intermediate openings using the same targeting jig.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.