Intramedullary nail with oblique openings

Abstract

An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening through the body. The first opening defines a first opening centerline. The body has a second internal wall of the body defining a second opening through the body. The second opening defines a second opening centerline. The first opening centerline and the second opening centerline are oblique with respect to each other. The longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline form an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline. The longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Cross-reference is made to the following applications: DEP5499 titled, “MULTIPLE PURPOSE NAIL, NAIL ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED METHOD,” DEP5607 titled “MULTIPLE PURPOSE NAIL WITH OBLIQUE OPENINGS,” and DEP5507 titled “INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL” filed concurrently herewith which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of orthopaedics, and more particularly, to a device for securing a prosthetic component to bone for use with orthopaedic trauma or orthopaedic joint products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The skeletal system includes many long bones that extend from the human torso. These long bones include the femur, fibula, tibia, humerus, radius and ulna. These long bones particularly are exposed to trauma from accidents, and as such often are fractured during such trauma and may be subject to complex devastating fractures. [0004] Automobile accidents...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention is in the form of an intramedullary nail containing a series of holes that allows for locking screws to be placed in various positions. The nail can be locked using a combination of screws, which allows various locking c

Problems solved by technology

These long bones particularly are exposed to trauma from accidents, and as such often are fractured during such trauma and may be subject to complex devastating fractures.

Automobile accidents, for instance, are a common cause of trauma to long bones.

In particular, the femur and tibia frequently fracture when the area around the knee is subjected to a frontal automobile accident.

The lag screws have several different problems in use that are generally related to the lag screw not remaining in the proper position with respect to the intramedullary nail during the operating life of an implant.

Such a movement may render the patient non-ambulatory.

Another issue that may occur with lag screws is medial migration of a lag screw through the femoral head and into the pelvic cavity.

A further issue with an intramedullary nail lag screw is lateral migration or lateral pullout of the screw from the long bone.

Yet another problem with lag screws in trochanteric nail applications is the problem of neck

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