Bone fixation pin

Abstract

A bone fixation system and method are provided. The system includes a dual prong pin and a bone screw. The pin is especially configured and contoured to fixate fractures of the proximal phalanx, especially hyperextension fractures. Fracture of other long bones of the hand, foot or elsewhere may be managed with this bone fixation system.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A bone fixation pin for aiding reduction of a fractured bone and for engagement to at least one bone screw, said bone fixation pin comprising a first prong, a second prong, a central portion, and a mid-longitudinal axis extending through said central portion and between said first and second prongs, at least said first and second prongs being adapted to support portions of the fractured bone, said central portion including a first end, a second end, and defining a first opening and a second opening, each of said first and second openings defined by portions of two of a first arcuate portion, a second arcuate portion, and a third arcuate portion, said first opening adapted to receive a first bone screw of the at least one bone screw and said second opening adapted to receive a second bone screw of the at least one bone screw, said first and second openings each having a center, said centers of said first and second openings being provided on opposite sides of the mid-longitudinal axis of said bone fixation pin, said first prong extending outwardly from said first end of said central portion and said second prong extending outwardly from said second end of said central portion, said first and second prongs being symmetrical about a first plane extending through the mid-longitudinal axis and bisecting said central portion, said first and second prongs each including at least one portion adapted contact the fractured bone. 
     
     
         2 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 1 , wherein said centers of said first and second openings are offset from one another along a line transverse to the mid-longitudinal axis of said bone fixation pin. 
     
     
         3 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 1 , wherein said first arcuate portion extends around said center of said first opening more than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 3 , wherein said third arcuate portion extends around said center of said second opening more than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 4 , wherein said second arcuate portion is positioned between said first and third arcuate portions. 
     
     
         6 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 1 , wherein said first prong extends in a second plane and said second prong extends in a third plane, said second and third planes being substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 6 , wherein each of said at least one portion of said first and second prongs include a first portion and a second portion, said first portions and second portions having angled relationships with one another. 
     
     
         8 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 7 , wherein a fourth plane passes through said first, second, and third arcuate portions, and said first portions of first and second prongs each extend from said central portion at angles substantially perpendicular to the fourth plane. 
     
     
         9 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second arcuate portions define a first lobe of said central portion on one side of the mid-longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 9 , wherein said second and third arcuate portions define a second lobe of said central portion on the other side of the mid-longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The bone fixation pin of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second lobes are symmetrical about the mid-longitudinal axis.