Biomet, Inc.

Tim Lessek

William S Pietrzak

Mark V Vanderwalle

Lowell Scott Weil, Sr

James S Babcock

Andrew Carver

Stuart D Miller

A device is described for joining a first phalange to a second adjacent phalange, such as the proximal phalange to the intermediate phalange at the proximal interphalangeal joint. The device is a substantially elongated member comprised of a resorbable material, such as, but not limited to polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and combinations thereof. The member has a first end portion, a middle portion, and second end portion spaced and opposed from the first end portion. The middle portion has a curvature such that an angle is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the angle is substantially anatomically correct with respect to the particular joint, such as the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Interphalangeal fusion pin

A fixation device, such as a bone screw, includes a bioresorbable proximal shaft portion and a non-bioresorbable distal threaded portion. In one aspect, the shaft portion is provided with a longitudinal throughbore which is aligned with a corresponding longitudinal bore in the proximal region of the threaded portion. A driver mechanism is employed to impart a rotary force so as to enable the device to be inserted into bone tissue. Afterwards, the driver mechanism is withdrawn from the respective bores. In another aspect, the non-bioresorbable distal portion is a substantially elongated solid member and includes a threaded distal region and a shaft-like proximal region. The comparatively smaller bioresorbable proximal region can mate with the distal portion either after or before the distal portion has been inserted into the bone tissue.

Bone screw having bioresorbable proximal shaft portion

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Warsaw, IN, United States of America

Tim Lessek