DEVICE FOR CLOSING THE MEDULLARY SPACE OF THE FEMUR USED FOR ENDOPROSTHETIC IMPLANTS

摘要

The invention relates to a device (10) for closing the medullary space of the femur or of other tubular bones used in endoprosthetic implants. The inventive device is configured as an undersized plug element (12) that is introduced into the medullary space and that has a plug body (16). A plurality of lamellae (18) are joined to said plug body and are off-set from one another at an angle in the circumferential direction. The lamellae, which are retracted in the position of introduction, are associated with an expansion element (24) that has a shank (22) that can be axially retracted in a through bore (14) of the plug body (16) and with an expansion body (26) that is joined at the distal end of the plug body. In the initial position, said expansion body (26) is disposed in the area of the free ends of the lamellae. When the shank (22) is retracted into the through bore (14) of the plug body (24), the expansion body is drawn between the lamellae and radially expands them. A number of thin cover wings (36) are disposed on the plug body (16) radially off-set from one another in the circumferential direction between the expansible lamellae (18) of the expansion element (12). These cover wings widen outwardly in the shape of sectors and are swivelably disposed on the plug body (16) in a position in which the cover wings (36) are disposed above an associated space (30) between adjoining lamellae (18) of the plug element (12).