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:
Aug. 21, 2007
Filed:
May. 23, 2002
Sarah L. Thelen, North Manchester, IN (US);
Antony J. Lozier, Warsaw, IN (US);
Steven E. Dietzel, Peru, IN (US);
Billy N. Sisk, Claypool, IN (US);
Rick Miller, South Whitley, IN (US);
Gregory C. Stalcup, Columbia City, IN (US);
Sarah L. Thelen, North Manchester, IN (US);
Antony J. Lozier, Warsaw, IN (US);
Steven E. Dietzel, Peru, IN (US);
Billy N. Sisk, Claypool, IN (US);
Rick Miller, South Whitley, IN (US);
Gregory C. Stalcup, Columbia City, IN (US);
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. To position the femoral implant of the present invention, an incision is made along the greater trochanter. Because the greater trochanter is not circumferentially covered with muscles, the incision can be made and the wound developed through the skin and fascia to expose the greater trochanter, without incising muscle, including, e.g., the quadriceps. After exposing the greater trochanter, novel instruments of the present invention are utilized to prepare a cavity in the femur extending from the greater trochanter into the femoral head and further extending from the greater trochanter into the intramedullary canal of the femur. After preparation of the femoral cavity, a femoral implant in accordance with the present invention is inserted into the aforementioned cavity in the femur. The femoral implant is thereafter secured in the femur, with portions of the implant extending into and being secured within the femoral head and portions of the implant extending into and being secured within the femoral shaft.