Intramedullary rod with pivotable fastener and method for using same

Abstract

An intramedullary rod for use with a fastener to repair a femur includes an elongate nail extending along a longitudinal axis and having a stem and a head. The head is provided with an aperture extending along an axis at an angle to the longitudinal axis for receiving the fastener. A mechanism is carried by the head for pivoting the axis of the aperture from a first angled position relative to the head to a second angled position relative to the head. A method for using the rod and fastener is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intramedullary rod for use with a fastener to repair a femur comprising an elongate nail extending along a longitudinal axis and having a stem and a head, the head being provided with an aperture extending along an axis at an angle to the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive the fastener, and a mechanism carried by the head for pivoting the axis of the aperture from a first angled position relative to the head to a second angled position relative to the head. 
     
     
         2 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 1  wherein the head is provided with an additional aperture extending along an additional axis at an angle to the longitudinal axis and the mechanism is configured to pivot the axis of the additional aperture from the first angled position to the second angled position relative to the head. 
     
     
         3 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 2  wherein the axis of the aperture and the axis of the additional aperture extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 2  wherein the axis of the aperture and the axis of the additional aperture do not extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 2  wherein the axis of the aperture and the axis of the additional aperture are circumferentially spaced apart about the longitudinal axis from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism is disposed within the head. 
     
     
         7 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 6  wherein the head is provided with a proximal opening along the longitudinal axis for permitting adjustment of the mechanism in situ. 
     
     
         8 . A method for repairing a femur having a head and a medullary canal in situ comprising inserting a nail into the medullary canal, extending a fastener through the nail into the head of the femur and pivoting the fastener relative to the nail in situ so as to move the head. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising extending an additional fastener through the nail into the head of the femur and pivoting the additional fastener relative to the nail. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of pivoting the additional fastener occurs concurrently with the step of pivoting of the first-named fastener.