Orthopedic intramedullary fixation system

Abstract

A system and method for repairing fractured long bones. A guide wire is inserted through an opening drilled in a proximal bone segment and pushed through the intramedullary cavity of the proximal bone segment, across the fracture site and into the intramedullary cavity of a distal bone segment. A dilator is inserted over the guide wire and pushed through the intramedullary cavity into the distal bone segment to a stop at the distal end of the guide wire. A flexible tube having a radially expandable distal portion is then pushed over the guide wire into the distal bone segment and against the dilator. A compression nut is threaded over the proximal end of the guide wire to engage the proximal bone segment and compress the flexible tube. Compression of the flexible tube deploys the radially expandable distal portion to anchor the device in the distal bone segment.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A method for aligning bone segments comprising: installing a tube in an intramedullary space spanning a fracture; anchoring a portion of said tube to a first side of said fracture; compressing said tube to radially expand an expandable anchor portion of said tube on a second side of said fracture. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24  further comprising: installing a guide wire in said intramedullary space spanning said fracture; wherein said tube is installed over said guide wire; and wherein said tube is compressed between stops on said guide wire. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25  further comprising installing a tapered dilator over said guide wire prior to installing said tube over said guide wire; wherein said dilator includes a transverse portion which serves as one of said stops. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein said step of anchoring a portion of said tube to a first side of said fracture comprises installing an anchor nut over a proximal end of said guide wire. 
   
   
       28 . A method for aligning fractured bone segments comprising: installing a guide wire in an intramedullary space spanning said fracture; installing a flexible tube over said guide wire in said intramedullary space spanning a fracture; anchoring a portion of said flexible tube to a first side of said fracture; compressing said flexible tube to between stops on said guide wire to radially expand an expandable anchor portion of said flexible tube on a second side of said fracture. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 25  further comprising installing a tapered dilator over said guide wire prior to installing said tube over said guide wire; wherein said dilator includes a transverse portion which serves as one of said stops. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein said step of anchoring a portion of said tube to a first side of said fracture comprises installing an interface washer over a proximal end of said guide wire. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 25  further comprising: drilling into said intramedullary space in a proximal bone segment; and reaming said intramedullary space. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 25  further comprising: releasing compression on said flexible tube to allow said expandable anchor portion to retract for removal of said tube and guide wire upon healing of said bone segments.