Intramedullary implant, system, and method for inserting an implant into a bone

Abstract

An intramedullary implant system, and method for placement within a bone system are provided by the invention. The implant includes a body with at least one pair of beams arranged about a longitudinal axis of the body. The beams are each fixed to the body and each have an end. The end of one of the beams of a pair is releasably coupled to the other beam of the pair by a k-wire from one end of which extends a flexible tail. The beams are each deflectable between (i) a coupled and biased position for insertion of the beams into a respective bone, and (ii) an uncoupled position for gripping bone. The beams of each pair in the uncoupled position being arranged so as to compressively engage the bone.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An intramedullary implant system comprising:
 a body having an end from which project a pair of beams arranged about a longitudinal axis of said body, said beams each being fixed to said body and having an end, the end of one of said beams being releasably coupled to the other beam of the pair by a removable coupling rod, from one end of which projects a flexible tail, the beams each being deflectable between (i) a coupled and biased position for insertion of the beams into a respective bone with at least a portion of said flexible tail positioned outside of a bone, and (ii) an uncoupled position for gripping said respective bone, said pair of beams in the uncoupled position being arranged so as to form a compressive engagement with said respective bone.   
     
     
         16 . An intramedullary implant system according to  claim 15  wherein said beams each deflect inwardly toward said longitudinal axis when coupled and biased by said removable coupling rod prior to insertion into a respective bone. 
     
     
         17 . An intramedullary implant system according to  claim 16  wherein said beams are arranged symmetrically about said longitudinal axis of said body. 
     
     
         18 . An intramedullary implant system according to  claim 16  wherein said beams are arranged asymmetrically about said longitudinal axis of said body. 
     
     
         19 . An intramedullary implant system according to  claim 16  wherein said beams are arranged in diagonally spaced relation to one another on said body. 
     
     
         20 . An intramedullary implant system comprising:
 a body defining a through-bore along a longitudinal axis and having an end from which project a pair of beams arranged about a longitudinal axis of said body, said beams each being fixed to said body and having an end, the end of one of said beams being releasably coupled to the other beam of the pair by a removable coupling rod, from one end of which projects a flexible tail the structure of which is selected from the group consisting of woven, non-woven, knitted, braided or crocheted strands, the beams each being deflectable between (i) a coupled and biased position for insertion of the beams into a respective bone with at least a portion of said flexible tail positioned outside of a bone, and (ii) an uncoupled position for gripping said respective bone, said pair of beams in the uncoupled position being arranged so as to form a compressive engagement with said respective bone.