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

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing a continuous compression fixation device for coupling a first bony structure to a second bony structure. The method can include providing a body structure and providing a plurality of arm structures coupled to and extending from the body structure. The method can include deflecting the 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 away; coupling the at least one of the plurality of arm structures to the first bony structure and the at least one opposed one of the plurality of arm structures to the second bony structure; and releasing the 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 to provide the compressive force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a continuous compression fixation device for coupling a first bony structure to a second bony structure, comprising:
 providing a body structure;   providing a plurality of arm structures coupled to and 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 at least 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 relative to a perpendicular orientation with respect to the body structure thereby providing a compressive force between the first bony structure and the second bony structure;   deflecting the 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 away from one another;   coupling the at least one of the plurality of arm structures to the first bony structure and the at least one opposed one of the plurality of arm structures to the second bony structure; and   releasing the 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 to provide the compressive force between the first bony structure and the second bony structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least 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 relative to the perpendicular orientation with respect to the body structure such that a desired compressive force is applied to an intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an additional arm structure and an additional opposed arm structure coupled to and extending from the body structure, wherein tips of the additional arm structure and the additional opposed arm structure are biased towards one another relative to the perpendicular orientation with respect to the body structure thereby also providing the compressive force between the first bony structure and the second bony structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the 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 relative to the perpendicular orientation with respect to the body structure by a compressive force generated in a proximity of where each of the arm structures and the body structure are coupled. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the shape memory alloy comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of arm structures comprises a tapered tip such that it may be disposed in a hole drilled into the associated bony structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of arm structures further comprises one or more friction structures such that it is securely retained in the hole drilled into the associated bony structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body structure is coupled to the intercalary structural augment disposed between the first bony structure and the second bony structure.