Bone fixture apparatus and jig

Abstract

A bone fixture apparatus has an elongate fixture device intended to be inserted in a metaphysical region of a long bone. The device is inserted generally transversely of the direction of the medullary cavity in the bone. The fixture device includes an aperture extending laterally thereof and intended to accommodate an intramedullary nail inserted longitudinally therethrough into the cavity. The fixture device is further formed with an axial aperture intended to receive a securing element capable of insertion therein to firmly engage said nail with the fixture device. Also disclosed is a jig arrangement for locating, relative to a long bone, the bone fixture apparatus.

1 . A bone fixture apparatus for application to a metaphyseal region of a long bone, the apparatus comprising an elongate fixture device intended to be inserted, in said region, generally transversely of the direction of the medullary cavity in said bone; wherein the fixture device includes an intramedullary device-receiving aperture extending laterally thereof and intended to accommodate an intramedullary device inserted longitudinally therethrough into said cavity, wherein said fixture device comprises first and second components intended to be inserted coaxially into the bone from opposite directions and adapted to interfit within the bone.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second components are hollow and cylindrical.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second components are of different diameter.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the intramedullary device-receiving aperture is provided in at least one of the first and second components.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixture device also has an axial aperture, intended to receive a securing element capable of insertion therein to firmly engage the said intramedullary device with the fixture device.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the axial aperture is formed in at least one of the first and second components.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said axial aperture is screw-threaded and said securing element comprises a grub screw.  
   
   
       8 . A jig for inserting a bone fixture apparatus for a permanent intramedullary device into a bone, the jig comprising: 
 an elongate insert comprising a temporary intramedullary portion and an extension portion, which in use, is located outside of the medullary cavity, in axial alignment with the temporary intramedullary portion; and    a hollow sleeve member having a bore to enable the hollow sleeve member to be inserted over said extension portion, the hollow sleeve member also bearing a guide portion adapted to extend to at least one side of the bone in use, the guide portion having at least one guide aperture that defines a fixture apparatus insertion axis;    wherein the extension portion has a non-circular cross-section and wherein the bore of the hollow sleeve member has a corresponding non-circular cross-section so that, when the extension portion is located in the bore of the hollow sleeve member, relative rotation of the extension portion and the sleeve member is prevented.    
   
   
       9 . A jig according to  claim 8 , wherein the guide aperture extends transversely with respect to the axis of the elongate insert and is intended to guide a drilling means for drilling in said bone a bore to accommodate the bone fixture device.  
   
   
       10 . A jig according to  claim 9 , also including sleevings of differing dimensions for insertion in said at least one guide aperture to accommodate drilling means of different diameters.  
   
   
       11 . A jig according to  claim 8 , wherein the guide portion extends to both sides of the bone in use, and is formed with a pair of guide apertures extending transversely with respect to the axis of the elongate insert, one guide aperture being provided on each side of the bone; 
 wherein the jig also includes a respective securing sleeve for accommodation within each guide aperture; and    whereby, once the securing sleeves are inserted within the guide apertures, the securing sleeves engage the bone thereby maintaining reduction of the fracture.    
   
   
       12 . A jig arrangement according to  claim 8 , further comprising a cap member adapted to secure said sleeve member to said extension portion.  
   
   
       13 . A jig according to  claim 8  wherein at least one of said extension portion and said sleeve member is radiolucent.  
   
   
       14 . A jig according to  claim 8 , wherein the extension portion has a square cross-section and wherein the bore of the hollow sleeve member also has a square cross-section.  
   
   
       15 . A jig according to  claim 8 , wherein the temporary intramedullary portion is a distinct component from the extension portion, the temporary intramedullary portion being releasably attachable to an end of the extension portion.  
   
   
       16 . A jig according to  claim 15 , wherein the attachment end of the extension portion has a shoulder that is adapted to engage with an external bone surface when the extension portion is attached to the temporary intramedullary portion and when the temporary intramedullary portion is inserted into the medullary cavity of the bone.  
   
   
       17 . A jig according to  claim 15 , wherein the permanent intramedullary device is releasably attachable to an end of the extension portion.  
   
   
       18 . A method of fixing a permanent intramedullary device to a long bone, the method including the steps of: 
 inserting an elongate insert into the medullary cavity, the elongate insert including an extension portion which remains outside of the medullary cavity;    inserting a hollow sleeve member over the extension portion, with the extension portion being located in a bore of the hollow sleeve member, wherein the extension portion and the bore of the hollow sleeve member both have non-circular cross-sections such that relative rotation is prevented;    using the hollow sleeve member to define a fixture apparatus insertion axis;    withdrawing the elongate insert from the intramedullary cavity;    inserting a bone fixture apparatus into the bone along the fixture apparatus insertion axis; and    inserting a permanent intramedullary device into the medullary cavity and fixing the permanent intramedullary device to the bone fixture apparatus, the permanent intramedullary device being retained within an aperture of the bone fixture apparatus.    
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , including the further step of securing a cap on the hollow sleeve member, to limit relative axial movement between the elongate insert and the hollow sleeve member.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the elongate insert comprises a temporary intramedullary portion, which is releasably attachable to the extension portion, and wherein the step of inserting the permanent intramedullary device includes attaching the permanent intramedullary device to the extension portion, and using the extension portion to aid the insertion of the permanent intramedullary device into the bone.  
   
   
       21 . A method of fixing an intramedullary device to a long bone, including the steps of: 
 inserting a first component of a fixture device in a direction lateral to the medullary cavity of the bone;    inserting a second component of a fixture device into the bone in an opposite, lateral direction;    inserting an intramedullary device longitudinally into the medullary cavity of the bone and interfitting the first and second components of the fixture device together, to secure the intramedullary device to the fixture device.