LOCKING MECHANISM FOR INTRAMEDULLARY NAILS

摘要

Intramedullary nail apparatus comprising: an intramedullary nail (12) having an axis, a proximal end, a distal end, a first hole(16) going through the nail at an angle to the axis, and a second hole (14) going through said nail at the same or a different angle to the axis, with the second hole closer to the proximal end than the first hole; a first screw (10) which goes through the first hole; a second screw (25) which goes through the second hole; and a locking mechanism (22), accessible from the proximal end of the nail, operative to selectively lock in place the first screw.The apparatus may include a channel (48, 52) for the passage of fluid wich causes a portion (44) of the apparatus to expand radially thereby locking it in place or which cements it in place.