Intramedullary Nail

Abstract

An intramedullary device includes an intramedullary nail extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, a proximal portion of the intramedullary nail including a cavity extending from an opening at the proximal end along the longitudinal axis and a locking hole extending transversely therethrough along with a first insert sized and shaped for insertion into the cavity along the longitudinal axis thereof and including a transverse bore aligning with the locking hole.

1 . A intramedullary bone fixation system comprising:
 an intramedullary nail having a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal axis, a cavity extending from the proximal end of the nail toward the distal end, and at least one locking hole that extends through the nail along a locking hole axis that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the at least one locking hole having a first cross-sectional dimension; and   an insert in the nail cavity, the insert having a first end, a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis toward the distal end of the nail, and at least one bore that extends through the insert, wherein the at least one bore is aligned with the at least one locking hole along the locking hole axis, wherein the at least one bore defines a second cross-sectional dimension that is less than the first cross-sectional dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one locking screw configured for insertion into the at least one locking hole and the least one bore, wherein the at least one locking screw has a threaded portion having a third cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the second cross-sectional dimension. 
     
     
         3 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 2 , wherein the threaded portion of the at least one locking screw is configured to cut into the at least one bore when the threaded portion of the at least one locking screw is inserted into the at least one bore. 
     
     
         4 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 3 , wherein the insert is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 4 , wherein the intramedullary nail is metallic. 
     
     
         6 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the intramedullary nail defines a stop in the cavity, and wherein the cavity includes a proximal cavity portion that extends from the proximal end of the intramedullary nail to the stop, wherein the insert is disposed in at least a portion of the proximal cavity portion. 
     
     
         7 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the insert defines a stop face that is adjacent to the stop in the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 7 , wherein the insert has a projection that extends from the stop face toward the distal end of the intramedullary nail. 
     
     
         9 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 6 , wherein the insert is a first insert, wherein the bone fixation further comprises a second insert configured for insertion in the cavity adjacent to the first insert. 
     
     
         10 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 9 , wherein the second insert includes an external thread on an outer surface thereof, wherein the cavity defines an internal thread adjacent to the proximal end of the nail, wherein the external thread of the second insert is configured to engage the internal thread of the intramedullary nail. 
     
     
         11 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 9 , wherein the cavity includes a shoulder disposed between the proximal end of the intramedullary nail and the stop, and the second insert is configured to contact the first end of the first insert and the shoulder. 
     
     
         12 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking hole is a first locking hole and a second locking hole, and wherein the at least one bore is a first bore and a second bore, wherein the first bore is aligned with the first locking hole and the second bore is aligned with the second locking hole along respective locking hole axes. 
     
     
         13 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second locking holes extend through the intramedullary nail at an angle relative to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The intramedullary bone fixation system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking screw is a first locking screw and a second locking screw, wherein the first locking screw is configured for insertion into the first locking hole and the first bore, and the second locking screw is configured for insertion into the second locking and the second bore. 
     
     
         15 . A method for securing an intramedullary nail to a bone, the nail having a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a longitudinal axis, and a cavity extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, the method comprising:
 inserting a locking screw through at least one locking hole in the intramedullary nail, the at least one locking hole extending along a locking hole axis that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking screw has a threaded portion defining a first diameter; and   causing the threaded portion of the locking screw to cut into the at least one bore defined by an insert, the at least one bore extending transversely through the insert, and wherein the insert is disposed in the cavity such the at least one bore is aligned with the at least one locking hole, wherein the at least one bore has a second diameter that is less than first diameter.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one locking hole is a first locking hole and second locking hole, and the at least one bore is a first bore and a second bore, and the locking screw is a first locking screw, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 inserting a second locking screw into the second locking hole; and   causing a threaded portion of the second locking screw to cut into the second bore.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of inserting the locking screw includes the step of inserting the locking screw in at least one locking hole that is disposed at a proximal portion of the intramedullary nail, the proximal portion being adjacent to the proximal end of the intramedullary nail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising advancing the threaded portion of the locking screw through the at least one locking hole and the at least one bore so as to engage the bone. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert is a first insert, wherein the method further comprises the step of inserting a second insert through an opening at the proximal end of the nail into the cavity proximal to the first insert. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of inserting the second insert further comprises advancing the second insert into the cavity along the longitudinal axis into contact with a shoulder defined by the cavity and a proximal end of the first insert.