Bone fracture fixation system

Abstract

A bone fracture fixation system including a bone plate having a contour that substantially matches the contour of an underlying bone. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig that can be moved relative to non-parallel cannulas guided by the jig into operative position relative to a bone plate. In one embodiment, the jig includes grooves which do not completely surround the perimeter of the cannulas guided by the jig. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig including guides having a position and orientation which is adjustable relative to other ones of the guides. In one embodiment, the jig includes two portions that can articulate with respect to each other. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a wire bender that can bend a wire greater than 180 degrees so that both ends of the wire can be inserted into a fractured bone.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 : A jig for aligning a guide with a bone plate, comprising:
 a first body adapted to align with the bone plate about a first axis;   a second body adapted to align with the bone plate, said second body having a guide surface sized for receiving the guide, said second body movably secured to said first body, said second body movable with respect to said first body about a second axis, said second axis non-collinear with said first axis.   
   
   
       17 : The jig of  claim 16 , further comprising a fastener positioned to selectively lock said second body to said first body to prevent relative movement between said first body and said second body. 
   
   
       18 : The jig of  claim 16 , further comprising articulating means for allowing said second body to articulate with respect to said first body to align said second body with the bone plate. 
   
   
       19 : The jig of  claim 16 , wherein said first body includes a head portion, and said second body includes an elongate portion. 
   
   
       20 : A jig for aligning a guide with a bone plate, comprising:
 a first body adapted to align with a bone plate;   a second body adapted to align with the bone plate, said second body having a guide surface sized for receiving a guide, said second body movably secured to said first body; and   articulating means for allowing said second body to articulate with respect to said first body to align said second body with the bone plate.   
   
   
       21 : The jig of  claim 20 , further comprising a fastener positioned to selectively lock said first body to said second body to prevent relative movement between said first body and said second body. 
   
   
       22 : A method of adapting a jig to a bone plate, comprising:
 aligning a first body of the jig with the bone plate about a first axis;   attaching the first body of the jig to the bone plate, the jig including a second body movably secured to the first body, the second body movable with respect to the first body about a second axis non-collinear with the first axis; and   aligning the second body with respect to the bone plate.   
   
   
       23 : The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of locking the first body to the second body. 
   
   
       24 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the second body includes a guide aperture and wherein said step of aligning the second body of the jig with respect to the bone plate comprises the step of inserting a guide through the guide aperture of the second body and securing the guide relative to the bone plate. 
   
   
       25 : The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of detaching the guide from the bone plate before the step of inserting the bone plate into a patient.