Patent ID: 7942877

Claim:
An implant for fixation of a bone fracture and for applying compression across the fracture, said implant comprising: a wire element having a first leg constructed and arranged to be implanted longitudinally in the bone and having a length to extend across the fracture and exit from the bone, and a second leg joined to the first leg by a bend, said bend having a size and shape so that the second leg extends linearly backwards in longitudinal juxtaposition with the first leg at a vertical spacing distance therefrom to overlie a superficial surface of the bone, guide means for guidable insertion of said first leg into a pilot hole in the bone and enable subsequent installation in the bone such that a longitudinal pulling force applied to the second leg will produce tension in the wire element and apply compression across the fracture, and means associated with said second leg and including a fixing element insertable in the bone for securing the second leg to the bone to maintain the tension developed in the wire element and continue to apply the compression across the fracture, wherein said guide means comprises a guide wire adapted to be secured in the bone and a bore in said first leg into which said guide wire is insertable, said guide wire having a length to extend through the bone and exit from the bore wherein said guide wire and said bore are sized to permit said first leg to be slid along the guide wire to be inserted into said pilot hole in the bone wherein said guide wire is secured in the bone at a rear wall of the pilot hole and said guide wire extends through the pilot hole to exit from the pilot hole and the bone.