The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2001
Mark Vandewalle, Pierceton, IN (US);
Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
Long bone fracture fixation systems, and methods for using same, are described. The systems primarily include an intramedullary nail having an elongated throughbore and a first slot for receiving transcortical screws and another slot for receiving an insert. A modular sleeve having a throughbore and a pair of openings for receiving transcortical screws and another pair of dissimilarly shaped openings for receiving the insert are placed over the proximal portion of the intramedullary nail. The modular sleeve can be provided with various opening patterns for receiving transcortical screws at various angles relative to the intramedullary nail. The insert is then properly positioned and is held in place by a hollow set screw disposed within, and coaxial to, the throughbore of the intramedullary nail. In this manner, the throughbore of the intramedullary nail is unobstructed, thus allowing instrumentation to be freely inserted through the entire length of the throughbore.