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.

1 . An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone, said nail comprising: 
 a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery thereof for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone, said body having a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening therethrough, the first opening defining a first opening centerline, said body having a second internal wall thereof defining a second opening therethrough, the second opening defining a second opening centerline, the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline being oblique with respect to each other, the longitudinal axis of said body and the first opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween and the longitudinal axis of said body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said body is cannulated along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       3 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said body defines a groove along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       4 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening have a generally cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       5 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening have a generally oval shape.  
   
   
       6 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline intersects the longitudinal axis of said body.  
   
   
       7 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a internal wall defining a third opening the first opening and the second opening have a generally cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       8 . The nail as in  claim 1 , wherein the external periphery of said body is substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       9 . The nail as in  claim 8 , wherein said nail defines a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter.  
   
   
       10 . The nail as in  claim 9 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are located in the first portion.  
   
   
       11 . The nail as in  claim 10 , wherein said nail further defines a third opening therethrough, the third opening defining a centerline therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . A kit for use in repairing a fracture in a long bone, said kit comprising: 
 a nail adapted for implantation in a medullary canal of the long bone, said nail defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery thereof for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone, said nail having a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening therethrough, the first opening defining a first opening centerline, said nail having a second internal wall thereof defining a second opening therethrough, the second opening defining a second opening centerline, the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline being oblique with respect to each other, the longitudinal axis of said body and the first opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween and the longitudinal axis of said body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween;    a first screw adapted to be slidably fittable with the first opening; and    a second screw adapted to be slidably fittable with the second opening.    
   
   
       13 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said nail is cannulated along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said nail defines a groove along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       15 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening have a generally cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       16 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening have a generally oval shape.  
   
   
       17 . The kit as in  claim 12:   wherein said nail comprises a third internal wall defining a third opening, the third opening defining a third opening centerline thereof; and    wherein the third opening centerline is normal to the longitudinal axis of said nail.    
   
   
       18 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline intersects the longitudinal axis of said nail.  
   
   
       19 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein said nail further comprises a internal wall defining a third opening the first opening and the second opening have a generally cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       20 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein the external periphery of said nail is substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       21 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein said nail defines a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter.  
   
   
       22 . The kit as in  claim 21 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are located in the first portion.  
   
   
       23 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said first screw and said second screw is cannulated.  
   
   
       24 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein said nail further comprises internal threads.  
   
   
       25 . The kit as in  claim 12:   wherein said nail comprises a third internal wall defining a third opening, the third opening defining a third opening centerline thereof; and    wherein the longitudinal axis of said nail and the third opening centerline define an acute angle therebetween.    
   
   
       26 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein said nail further defines a third opening through said nail.  
   
   
       27 . The kit as in  claim 12 , wherein said nail further defines a third opening through said nail.  
   
   
       28 . A method for performing trauma surgery on a long bone, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an intramedullary nail, said nail defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery thereof for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone, said nail having a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening therethrough, the first opening defining a first opening centerline, said nail having a second internal wall thereof defining a second opening therethrough, the second opening defining a second opening centerline, the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline being oblique with respect to each other, at least one of the first opening centerline and the second opening centerline being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the nail, the longitudinal axis of said body and the first opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween and the longitudinal axis of said body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle therebetween;    positioning the nail at least partially in the medullary canal;    providing a first screw for cooperation with the long bone and for slidable cooperation with the first opening in said nail;    inserting said first screw through the cortical wall of the lesser trochanter of the long bone;    inserting said first screw through the first opening;    inserting said first screw through the cortical wall of the greater trochanter of the long bone;    providing a second screw for cooperation with the long bone and for slidable cooperation with the second opening in said nail;    inserting said second screw through the cortical wall of the long bone;    inserting said second screw through the second opening; and    inserting said second screw through the cortical wall of the long bone.