Proximal anchors for bone fixation system

a bone fixation system and proximal anchor technology, applied in the field of bone fixation devices, can solve the problems of introducing several significant problems, exhibiting a tendency to migrate proximally, and sharp edges on the leading end portion

US20060195103A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-31INTERVENTIONAL SPINE
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-08-31
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Disclosed is a bone fixation device of the type useful for connecting soft tissue or tendon to bone or for connecting two or more bones or bone fragments together. The device comprises an elongate body having a distal anchor thereon. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device, to accommodate different bone dimensions and permit appropriate tensioning of the fixation device.
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Description

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 745,360, filed Dec. 23, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 990,587, filed Nov. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,706, the entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to bone fixation devices, and, more particularly, to an improved proximal anchor for a bone fixation device.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Bones which have been fractured, either by accident or severed by surgical procedure, must be kept together for lengthy periods of time in order to permit the recalcification and bonding of the severed parts. Accordingly, adjoining parts of a severed or fractured bone are typically clamped together or attached to one another by means of a pin or a screw driven through the rejoined parts. Movement of the pertinent...

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Embodiment Construction

[0048] Although the application of the present invention will be initially disclosed in connection with the simplified bone fracture of FIG. 1, the methods and structures disclosed herein are intended for application in any of a wide variety of bones and fractures, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. For example, the bone fixation device of the present invention is applicable in a wide variety of fractures and osteotomies in the hand, such as interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis, transverse phalangeal and metacarpal fracture fixation, spiral phalangeal and metacarpal fracture fixation, oblique phalangeal and metacarpal fracture fixation, intercondylar phalangeal and metacarpal fracture fixation, phalangeal and metacarpal osteotomy fixation as well as others known in the art. A wide variety of phalangeal and metatarsal osteotomies and fractures of the foot may also be stabilized using the bone fixation device of the presen...