Medial-Extending Intramedullary Nail for Proximal Humerus Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing proximal humerus fractures often lead to humeral head collapse during healing, and existing intramedullary or calcar systems do not provide adequate stabilization, necessitating improved solutions for bone stabilization in trauma applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of an intramedullary nail implant with a distal and proximal portion, where the proximal portion is configured to extend medially within the humeral head, and a calcar nail implant with a blade body extending along an arcuate path, along with a stabilization system that includes various fasteners and guide members for secure screw placement, to provide enhanced stabilization and prevent collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plating alone is used for proximal humerus fracture fixation, then the surgical procedure is relatively simple, but humeral head collapse occurs during healing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plating with intramedullary nail insertion to create a hybrid fixation system. The plate provides lateral stabilization while the intramedullary nail with medial extension provides internal support and prevents humeral head collapse, merging two fixation methods into a single comprehensive solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The intramedullary nail extends medially into the humeral head, adding a new spatial dimension to the fixation system. This medial extension provides support from within the bone structure, complementing the lateral plating and creating multi-dimensional stabilization.
2Reliability
If an allograft fibular strut is inserted through the fracture site to prevent head collapse, then humeral head stability is improved, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a synthetic intramedullary nail that replaces the need for allograft fibular strut. This proprietary device provides the necessary structural support without requiring complex allograft preparation, harvesting, and insertion procedures, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If existing intramedullary or calcar systems are used, then the surgical procedure is relatively simple, but adequate stabilization is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary nail features a medial extension with a specific blade configuration that concentrates stabilization force at the critical medial region of the humeral head. This localized structural adaptation provides enhanced stabilization precisely where it is needed most, rather than uniformly distributing support throughout the entire nail structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An intramedullary nail implant for positioning in a bone having a head and a shaft defining an intramedullary canal. The implant includes a distal portion having a shaft extending along a central axis and configured for positioning within the intramedullary canal. A proximal portion extends proximally from the distal portion. The proximal portion defines a contact surface which extends at least in part medially of the central axis such that it is configured to extend within a medial portion of the bone head. A method of implanting the nail is also provided.