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:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
May. 25, 2000
Frank A. Wilson, Essington, PA (US);
Mark E. Nadzadi, Iowa City, IA (US);
Synthes (USA), Paoli, PA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a radiolucent aiming guide for locating and drilling through the holes in the distal end of an implanted intramedullary nail. The aiming guide comprises an elongate handle constructed substantially of a radiolucent material, which does not cast a strong image on a monitor when exposed to radiation. The radiolucent handle is used in conjunction with a protection sleeve, trocar, drill sleeve, and drill bit, which are used to locate and drill through the hole in the nail. Radiopaque components in the distal end of the protection sleeve, trocar, and drill bit are used to align the drill over the nail hole. A pair of radiopaque pins, located within the handle and lying parallel to its longitudinal axis, aid in ensuring the proper rotational alignment of the aiming guide over the nail hole. The aiming guide may also include a structure to facilitate its alignment over a second hole in the distal end of the intramedullary nail.