Telescoping IM nail and actuating mechanism

摘要

A length-adjustable IM nail system includes a telescoping IM nail with proximal and distal bodies. An inner magnet within the proximal body is connected to a threaded rod which, in turn, is connected to the distal body. The threaded rod passes through a threaded block which is connected to the proximal body. The position of the distal end of the threaded rod is fixed with respect to the distal body, but may rotate freely within this fixed position. An actuator is also disclosed that includes a pair of rotating magnets disposed in an angular relationship with each other and the axis of the IM nail and the patient's limb. Rotation of these outer magnets in the same direction results in rotation of the inner magnet and threaded rod and a telescoping axial movement of the threaded block and proximal body with respect to the distal body.

主权项

1. A method for adjusting the length of an intramedullary nail, comprising:
placing an actuator about a patient's limb, the actuator including an arcuate housing that surrounds the limb such that the actuator extends circumferentially from a first side of the patient's limb to an opposing second side of the patient's limb, an outer magnet of the actuator being disposed relative to an intramedullary nail located within the patient's limb, the intramedullary nail including first and second bodies configured for relative axial movement and an inner magnet; and rotating the outer magnet to impart rotation to the inner magnet that results in relative axial movement of the first and second bodies to adjust the length of the intramedullary nail.