Method and system for the intramedullary fixation of a fractured bone

Abstract

The system and method for intramedullary plate fixation of the preferred embodiments include a first intramedullary plate of a first geometry with a plurality of bores, a second intramedullary plate of a second geometry with a plurality of bores, a plurality of fasteners that fasten the first and second intramedullary plates to bone, and an alignment fixture held outside of the body that indicate the location of the bores of the first and second intramedullary plates and through which the fasteners are aligned with the bores of the first and second intramedullary plates, allowing the surgeon to make incisions in the patients body in known locations of the bores, and thus allowing for a minimally invasive intramedullary plate installation and fixation procedure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for intramedullary plate fixation in a body comprising:
 a first intramedullary plate defining a plurality of first plate bores;   a second intramedullary plate defining a plurality of second plate bores that interfaces with the first intramedullary plate such that a first bore of the plurality of first plate bores is coaxial with a first bore of the plurality of second plate bores;   an alignment fixture defining a plurality of channels that is engaged with the first intramedullary plate such that a first channel of the plurality of channels is coaxial with a bore of the plurality of first plate bores; and   a fastener disposed within the first bore of the plurality of first plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of second plate bores.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has a first end, second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, the first end having a cross-section that defines a duct; and
 wherein the second intramedullary plate is insertable into the duct such that the first bore of the plurality of first plate bores is coaxial with the first bore of the plurality of second plate bores.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the duct extends the entire length of the first intramedullary plate. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each bore of the plurality of first plate bores has a bore axis; and
 wherein the bore axes of the plurality of first plate bores are parallel.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third intramedullary plate defining a plurality of third plate bores;
 wherein the second intramedullary plate interfaces with the third intramedullary plate such that a second bore of the plurality of second plate bores aligns with a first bore of the plurality of third plate bores; and   further comprising a second fastener disposed within the second bore of the plurality of second plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of third plate bores.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has a first end, second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end; and
 wherein the first intramedullary plate defines a curve along the length of the first intramedullary plate.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has an exterior surface;
 wherein each bore of the plurality of first plate bores extends through the exterior surface and has a bore axis; and   wherein the bore axis of each bore of the plurality of first plate bores extends at an orthogonal angle to the exterior surface of the first intramedullary plate.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second intramedullary plate is insertable into the first intramedullary plate such that a second bore of the plurality of first plate bores aligns with a second bore of the plurality of second plate bores. 
     
     
         9 . A system for intramedullary plate fixation in a body comprising:
 a first intramedullary plate defining a plurality of first plate bores;   a second intramedullary plate defining a plurality of second plate bores that is adapted to interface with the first intramedullary plate such that a first bore of the plurality of first plate bores is coaxial with a first bore of the plurality of second plate bores;   an alignment fixture defining a plurality of channels that is adapted to engage with the first intramedullary plate such that a first channel of the plurality of channels is coaxial with a bore of the plurality of first plate bores; and   a fastener that is adapted to be disposed within the first bore of the plurality of first plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of second plate bores.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has a first end, second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, the first end having a cross-section that defines a duct; and
 wherein the second intramedullary plate is adapted to be inserted into the duct such that the first bore of the plurality of first plate bores is coaxial with the first bore the plurality of second plate bores.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the duct extends the entire length of the first intramedullary plate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each bore of the plurality of first plate bores has a bore axis; and
 wherein the bore axes of the plurality of first plate bores are parallel.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a third intramedullary plate defining a plurality of third plate bores;
 wherein the second intramedullary plate is adapted to interface with the third intramedullary plate such that a second bore of the plurality of second plate bores aligns with a first bore of the plurality of third plate bores; and   further comprising a second fastener that is adapted to be disposed within the second bore of the plurality of second plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of third plate bores.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has a first end, second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end; and
 wherein the first intramedullary plate defines a curve along the length of the first intramedullary plate.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has an exterior surface;
 wherein each bore of the plurality of first plate bores extends through the exterior surface and has a bore axis; and   wherein the bore axis of each bore of the plurality of first plate bores extends at an orthogonal angle to the exterior surface of the first intramedullary plate.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second intramedullary plate is adapted to interface with the first intramedullary plate such that a second bore of the plurality of first plate bores aligns with a second bore of the plurality of second plate bores. 
     
     
         17 . A system for intramedullary plate fixation in a body comprising:
 a first intramedullary plate defining a plurality of first plate bores;   a second intramedullary plate defining a plurality of second plate bores that interfaces with the first intramedullary plate such that a first bore of the plurality of first plate bores is coaxial with a first bore of the plurality of second plate bores;   a third intramedullary plate defining a plurality of third plate bores that interfaces with the second intramedullary plate such that a first bore of the plurality of third plate bores is coaxial with a second bore of the plurality of second plate bores;   an alignment fixture defining a plurality of channels that is engaged with the first intramedullary plate such that a first channel of the plurality of channels is coaxial with a bore of the plurality of first plate bores;   a first fastener disposed within the first bore of the plurality of first plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of second plate bores; and   a second fastener disposed within the second bore of the plurality of second plate bores and the first bore of the plurality of third plate bores.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first intramedullary plate has a first intramedullary plate first end with a cross section that contains a duct;
 wherein the third intramedullary plate has a third intramedullary plate first end with a cross section that contains a duct; and   wherein the second intramedullary plate has a second intramedullary plate first end and a second intramedullary plate second end, the second intramedullary plate first end having a cross section that contains duct-connecting geometry that is adapted to be received by the duct of the first intramedullary plate, the second intramedullary plate second end having a cross section that contains duct-connecting geometry that is adapted to be received by the duct of the third intramedullary plate.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cross section of the first intramedullary plate first end is an “O” type cross-section. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cross section of the third intramedullary plate first end is an “O” type cross-section.