Monofix Nail

Abstract

An intramedullary device includes an intramedullary nail extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the nail including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an opening extending laterally through a wall thereof proximate the distal end, the channel including a ramped surface along a distal portion thereof opposite the opening. The device further includes a wire extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the wire sized and shaped to be inserted into the channel of the nail such that the distal end engages the ramped surface to extend through the opening.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for treating a bone, comprising:
 inserting an intramedullary nail into a medullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary nail extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end;   inserting a wire through a channel extending longitudinally through the nail until a distal end of the wire engages a ramped surface along the channel and extends through an opening extending laterally through a wall of the nail opposite the ramped surface; and   rotating the wire in a first direction relative to the nail to drive the distal end of the wire into the bone.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein inserting the intramedullary nail into the medullary canal includes sliding the intramedullary nail along a guide wire received within the channel. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising inserting a bone fixation element through a proximal opening of the channel and into a lateral opening extending through a wall at a proximal end of the nail such that a shaft of the bone fixation element extends along a central axis of the lateral opening, which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nail. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising rotating the wire in a second direction relative to the nail to disengage the distal end of the wire from the bone. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising pulling the wire proximally relative to the nail to remove the wire from the channel of the nail.