Deployment tool for distal bone anchors with secondary compression

Abstract

Deployment systems for deploying a bone fixation device are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a deployment system includes a syringe-shaped body configured to provide proximal traction to a bone fixation device in response to a compressive force between a finger grip and a plunger adapted to be engaged by the heel of a clinician's hand. The device may include a collet for gripping a proximal pin of a fixation device. The deployment device may also include a tool that includes an elongate body with a distal tip adapted to rotationally engage a bone fixation device in order to axially rotate the fixation device. A further deployment device embodiment includes a cauterizing tip for heat-cutting an excess portion of a pin of a bone fixation device.

1 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a bore through the first bone fragment in the direction of the second bone fragment;    advancing a fixation device comprising an elongate body, having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical anchor on the distal end of the elongate body and a proximal anchor, moveably carried by the elongate body, the elongate body and the proximal anchor having complementary retention structures configured to resist proximal movement of the proximal anchor with respect to the elongate body;    rotating the fixation device to engage bone in the second bone fragment; and    using a deployment device to apply a distal force to proximally withdraw the elongate body with respect to the proximal anchor.    
   
   
       2 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 1 , wherein the second bone fragment comprises the head of a femur.  
   
   
       3 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of rotating the fixation device comprises engaging the proximal anchor of the fixation device with the deployment and rotating the deployment device to rotate the proximal anchor and the distal anchor.  
   
   
       4 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of using a deployment device to proximally withdraw the elongate body with respect to the proximal anchor comprises moving the fingers of a hand that is holding the deployment device towards the palm of the hand that is holding the deployment device.  
   
   
       5 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of using a deployment device to proximally withdraw the elongate body comprises gripping the elongate body of the fixation device with the deployment device.  
   
   
       6 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 5 , wherein the step of gripping the elongate body of the fixation device with the deployment device comprises proximally withdrawing a collet within the deployment device.  
   
   
       7 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 1 , further comprising separating the elongate body into a first portion that remains coupled to the proximal anchor and a second portion that is removed from the fixation device.  
   
   
       8 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 7 , wherein the step of separating the elongate body comprises rotating the second portion with respect to the first portion.  
   
   
       9 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 7 , wherein the step of separating the elongate body comprises cutting the elongate body with the deployment device.  
   
   
       10 . A method of securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment as in  claim 9 , wherein the step of separating the elongate pin comprises heating.