Continuous compression fixation device for the fusion of an intercalary structural augment

Abstract

A continuous compression fixation device for coupling a first bony structure to a second bony structure, including: a body structure; and a plurality of arm structures extending from the body structure, wherein at least one of the plurality of arm structures is configured to be coupled to the first bony structure and at least one opposed one of the plurality of arm structures is configured to be coupled to the second bony structure; wherein the body structure and the plurality of arm structures are manufactured from a shape memory material; and wherein tips of the at least one of the plurality of arm structures and the at least one opposed one of the plurality of arm structures are biased towards one another such that a desired compressive force is applied to an intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A continuous compression fixation system adapted to couple a first bony structure to a second bony structure, comprising:
 an intercalary structural augment for insertion between the first bony structure and the second bony structure;   a body structure manufactured from a shape memory alloy and comprising four outer edges and four corners; and   four arm structures adapted to couple the body structure to the first bony structure and the second bony structure, wherein:
 each arm structure is coupled to and extends from the body structure from one of the four corners; and 
 the shape memory material is adapted to provide a compressive force and resist a torsional force between the first bony structure and the second bony structure when the body structure and the four arm structures are deflected from a first configuration to a second configuration and subsequently released. 
   
     
     
         2 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressive force is applied to the intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         3 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 2 , wherein the body structure is coupled to the intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         4 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the body structure comprises eight arcs. 
     
     
         5 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the eight arcs is formed by one of the four outer edges and one arm structure of the four arm structures. 
     
     
         6 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the body structure and the four arm structures are manufactured from a nitinol shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the four arm structures comprise one or more friction structures for securely retaining a respective arm structure in a hole drilled into a bony structure. 
     
     
         8 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 1 , wherein the body structure comprises at least one exterior side surface forming a concave transition between an arm structure of the four arm structures and at least one opposed arm structure. 
     
     
         9 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the four arm structures comprises a tip. 
     
     
         10 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a first arm structure of the four arm structures comprises a first tip;   a second arm structure of the four arm structures comprises a second tip; and   the first tip and the second tip are biased towards one another relative to a perpendicular orientation with respect to the body structure by a compressive force generated in a proximity of where each of the first arm structure and second arm structure are coupled.   
     
     
         11 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 10 , wherein the first tip is tapered for insertion into a hole drilled into a bony structure. 
     
     
         12 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the four arm structures comprises one or more friction structures for securely retaining each arm structure in the hole drilled in the associated bony structure. 
     
     
         13 . A continuous compression fixation system adapted to couple a first bony structure to a second bony structure, comprising:
 an intercalary structural augment for insertion between the first bony structure and the second bony structure;   a body structure manufactured from a shape memory alloy; and   two or more arm structures adapted to couple the body structure to the first bony structure and the second bony structure, wherein:
 each arm structure is coupled to and extends from the body structure; and 
 the shape memory material is adapted to provide a compressive force and resist a torsional force between the first bony structure and the second bony structure when the body structure and the two or more arm structures are deflected from a first configuration to a second configuration and subsequently released. 
   
     
     
         14 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein the compressive force is applied to the intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         15 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 14 , wherein the body structure is coupled to the intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         16 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 15 , wherein the body structure comprises an arc is formed by one outer edge and one arm structure of the two or more arm structures. 
     
     
         17 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein the body structure and the two or more arm structures are manufactured from a nitinol shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the two or more arm structures comprise one or more friction structures for securely retaining a respective arm structure in a hole drilled into a bony structure. 
     
     
         19 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein the body structure comprises at least one exterior side surface forming a concave transition between an arm structure of the two or more arm structures and at least one opposed arm structure. 
     
     
         20 . The continuous compression fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the two or more arm structures comprises a tip.