Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.

1 - 162 . (canceled) 
     
     
         163 . A system for stabilizing an implant inside a bone, the system comprising:
 a collar:
 defining an insertion axis; and 
 positionable outside the bone such that the insertion axis passes through an access hole in the bone; 
   a reference articulating surface fixed at a reference angle relative to the insertion axis; and   an implant articulating surface affixed to the implant and complementary to the reference articulating surface;   
       wherein the implant articulating surface is adjustable relative to the reference articulating surface to position, inside the bone, a longitudinal axis of the implant at a target angle relative to the insertion axis. 
     
     
         164 . The system of  claim 163  wherein the target angle is between 0 degrees and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         165 . The system of  claim 163  wherein a longitudinal axis of the collar is configured to be positioned parallel to an outside surface of the bone. 
     
     
         166 . The system of  claim 163  further comprising a locking mechanism that fixes a position of the implant articulating surface relative to the reference articulating surface. 
     
     
         167 . The system of  claim 166 , wherein:
 the reference articulating surface defines a first aperture;   the implant articulating surface defines a second aperture;   the implant comprises a threaded body;   the locking mechanism comprises a locking screw that passes through the first and second apertures and engages the threaded body;   
       wherein, engagement of the locking screw and the threaded body presses the reference articulating surface against the implant articulating surface, thereby fixing the target angle. 
     
     
         168 . The system of  claim 163  the collar defining an anchor receiving feature that directs an anchor into an outer surface of the bone. 
     
     
         169 . The system of  claim 167  wherein engagement of the locking screw and the threaded body prevents the implant, in an expanded state, from collapsing. 
     
     
         170 . The system of  claim 167  wherein the collar defines a third aperture for insertion or removal of the locking screw after the collar is secured to the outside surface of the bone. 
     
     
         171 . An orthopaedic implant stabilization system comprising:
 an implant:
 defining a central longitudinal axis; 
 expandable inside a bone after being inserted into the bone through an access hole in the bone; and 
 comprising a first articulating surface; 
   a support member positionable on an outside surface of the bone; and   a second articulating surface:
 supported by the support member about a central axis of the access hole; and 
 engageable with the first articulating surface such that the central longitudinal axis of the implant is adjustable at a range of angles relative to the central axis of the access hole. 
   
     
     
         172 . The system of  claim 171  further comprising a locking mechanism that fixes the central longitudinal axis of the implant at a target angular position relative to the central axis of the access hole. 
     
     
         173 . The system of  claim 171 , the support member further comprising an anchor receiving feature that directs an anchor into the outside surface of the bone. 
     
     
         174 . The system of  claim 171  wherein the range of angular positions between the central longitudinal axis of the implant and the central axis of the access hole is greater or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees. 
     
     
         175 . The system of  claim 172  wherein the locking mechanism fixes the target angle by bracing the first articulating surface against the second articulating surface. 
     
     
         176 . The system of  claim 171 , the support member further comprising an elongated member that extends into the access hole when the support member is positioned on the outside surface of the bone and the second articulating surface is mounted on a distal end of the elongated member. 
     
     
         177 . A method for stabilizing an implant inside a bone, the method comprising:
 inserting an expandable implant into the bone though an access hole in the bone;   adjusting an angle between a central longitudinal axis of the expandable implant and a central axis of the access hole; and   fixing the angle by pressing a first articulating surface affixed to the expandable implant against a second articulating surface supported by the outside surface of the bone.   
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 177  further comprising pressing the first articulating surface against the second articulating surface by inserting a locking screw into the access hole and engaging the expandable implant. 
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 178  further comprising inserting the locking screw into the access hole through an aperture defined by a collar supported by the outside surface of the bone. 
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 178  further comprising removing the locking screw from the access hole while the expandable implant remains inside the bone. 
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 178  further comprising removing the locking screw from the access hole while the collar remains secured to the bone.