| 摘要 |
The present invention describes an intramedullary nail for use in orthopedic surgery for the fixation of bone fractures and fusion sites. The nail employs one or more internal loaded springs, biocompatible elastic or rubber bands, or other mechanism that provides continuous dynamic compression across the healing site throughout the healing process. By altering the size, tension and/or number of the internal compression devices, the amount of compression may be customized on a case-by-case basis. Further, the slots within the nail for its attachment can be utilized to create a torsional force when desired. The nail can have a cross-sectional shape that prevents its rotation. A system and method of use is also described. |
| 主权项 |
1. An intramedullary nail for providing dynamic compression
across a fusion or fracture site, comprising: an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner channel; at least one distal aperture located proximate to said distal end of said body and which is capable of permitting a fastener to pass therethrough and be secured in a position transversing said nail, at least one elongated aperture having interior sides located closer to said proximal end of said body than said distal aperture and which is capable of receiving a fastener that transverses said nail such that said nail may have a movement relative to said fastener, said movement restricted by said interior sides of said at least one elongated aperture, at least one compression member contained within said inner channel, said at least one compression member having a first end and a second end, and at least one of said ends of said at least one compression member having a compression member aperture therethrough, said compression member aperture substantially aligned with said at least one elongated aperture, said compression member aperture capable of engaging said fastener received in said elongated aperture, wherein said at least one compression member is capable of exerting a force against at least one of said fastener and said interior side of said at least one elongated aperture thereby causing said nail to move relative to said fastener, said at least one compression member fully enclosed within said inner channel; wherein said at least one compression member comprises a first and a second compression member; wherein said first compression member is selected from the group consisting of a compression spring, a torsional spring, a Belleville washer, and a plurality of Belleville washers; and wherein said second compression member is selected from the group consisting of a compression spring, a torsional spring, a Belleville washer, and a plurality of Belleville washers; thereby increasing compression to said fusion or facture site when at least one fastener is received in said elongated aperture on one side of said fusion or fracture site, and at least one fastener is received in said distal aperture on an opposing side of said fusion or fracture site. |
