Device for implanting compression plate within a body

Abstract

A delivery device delivers a compression plate to a fracture line in a bone. The delivery device includes a body that retains the compression plate in a strained condition, the body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a first beam. The delivery device also includes a cover plate attached to and moveable relative to the body, the cover plate including a second beam. A space is defined between the first beam and the second beam that receives the compression plate. The delivery device also includes a compression clip that retains the compression plate in the space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of repairing a fracture line in a bone, the method comprising:
 loading a compression plate between a body and a cover plate of a delivery device to position the compression plate in the strained condition;   placing the compression plate over the fracture line;   axially moving a compression clip away from the compression plate;   releasing the cover plate from the body to allow the cover plate to move relative to the body; and   releasing the compression plate from the delivery device.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  comprising:
 drilling holes through openings in the compression plate; 
 advancing threaded fasteners through the openings and into the bone fragments to secure the compression plate to the bone fragments; 
 removing the delivery device; and 
 generating and maintaining compression across the facture line as the compression plate tries to return to the unstrained condition. 
 
     
     
         3 . A delivery device for delivering a compression plate to a fracture line in a bone, the delivery device comprising:
 a body that retains a compression plate in a recess in a strained condition, the body including a first portion and a second portion defining the recess therebetween, wherein the first portion and the second portion are moveable relative to each other to change a dimension of the recess to compress the compression plate from an unstrained condition to the strained condition;   a threaded fastener that is turned to move the first portion and the second portion towards each other and reduce the dimension of the recess and compression the compression plate from the unstrained condition to the strained condition; and   an alignment feature that aligns the first portion and the second portion relative to each other.   
     
     
         4 . The delivery device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a groove to receive a portion of the compression plate. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a surface that acts as a stop to prevent movement of the first portion and the second portion towards each other.