Orthopedic fasteners, instruments and methods

Abstract

Examples of the invention relate to methods, implants, and instruments for compressing first and second bone portions or a bone portion and an implant together.

20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bone fastener comprising:
 an insertion axis;   a first leg, said first leg having a first elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a first leg leading end to a first leg trailing end, the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first leading distance at the leading end and the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first trailing distance at the trailing end, the first leading distance being greater than the first trailing distance;   a second leg, the second leg having a second elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a second leg leading end to a second leg trailing end, the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second leading distance at the leading end and the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second trailing distance at the trailing end, the second leading distance being equal to or greater than the second trailing distance; and   a flexible member, said flexible member extending between said first leg and said second leg, said flexible member configured to vary a distance between said first leg and said second leg.   
     
     
         22 . The bone fastener of  claim 21 , wherein said flexible member also configured to vary an angle between said first leg and said insertion axis. 
     
     
         23 . The bone fastener of  claim 21 , wherein said flexible member also configured to vary an angle between said first leg and said second leg. 
     
     
         24 . A bone fastener comprising:
 an insertion axis;   a first leg, said first leg having a first elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a first leg leading end to a first leg trailing end, the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first leading distance at the leading end and the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first trailing distance at the trailing end, the first leading distance being greater than the first trailing distance;   a second leg, the second leg having a second elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a second leg leading end to a second leg trailing end, the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second leading distance at the leading end and the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second trailing distance at the trailing end, the second leading distance being equal to or greater than the second trailing distance; and   a flexible body, said flexible body extending between said first leg and said second leg, said flexible body configured to shorten a distance between said first leg and said second leg.   
     
     
         25 . The bone fastener of claim  4 , wherein said flexible body configured to vary an angle between said first leg and said insertion axis. 
     
     
         26 . The bone fastener of claim  4 , wherein said flexible body configured to vary an angle between said first leg and said second leg. 
     
     
         27 . A bone fastener comprising:
 an insertion axis;   a first leg, said first leg having a first elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a first leg leading end to a first leg trailing end, the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first leading distance at the leading end and the first elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a first trailing distance at the trailing end, the first leading distance being greater than the first trailing distance;   a second leg, the second leg having a second elongate inboard surface facing the insertion axis and extending from a second leg leading end to a second leg trailing end, the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second leading distance at the leading end and the second elongate inboard surface being spaced from the insertion axis a second trailing distance at the trailing end, the second leading distance being equal to or greater than the second trailing distance; and   a flexible body, said flexible body extending between said first leg and said second leg, wherein said first leg and said second leg are moveable relative to each other from a first position to a second position, wherein a distance between said first leg and said second leg is shorter in the second position.   
     
     
         28 . The bone fastener of claim  7 , wherein, in the second position, said first leg is at a different angle relative to said second leg than the first position.