Instrument for fracture fragment alignment and stabilization

Abstract

An instrument for locating an axis of a blocking screw is disclosed. The instrument is applicable for a retrograde installation of a femoral intramedullary device or an antegrade installation of a tibial intramedullary device. The instrument includes a drill jig with a radiolucent frame portion and a mounting portion. The mounting portion is adapted to connect to an intramedullary device, and the frame portion has at least one aperture for locating the axis of the blocking screw. The drill jig is adjustable to locate the aperture in a longitudinal or rotational direction relative to the intramedullary device.

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . An instrument for locating an axis of a blocking screw, the instrument comprising:
 a mount having a barrel portion and a neck portion, the barrel portion adapted to connect to an orthopaedic implant and having a central axis;   a frame removably attached to the neck portion of the mount, the frame having a first leg and a second leg;   a pilot member removably attached to the frame at the first leg or at the second leg, the pilot member having at least two tracks formed by at least two guide members spaced apart from a center rib; and   a cartridge received within the at least two tracks, the cartridge having at least one locating hole, and wherein the cartridge moves in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         36 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the mount and frame are integral and define a single-piece structure. 
     
     
         37 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are arcuate and form a continuous curve. 
     
     
         38 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the frame includes at least one channel for mounting the pilot member. 
     
     
         39 . The instrument of  claim 35 , further comprising a fracture alignment device. 
     
     
         40 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the cartridge has at least one plunger that cooperates with at least one detent of the pilot member to temporarily fix the cartridge in a fixed location. 
     
     
         41 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a lip. 
     
     
         42 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the cartridge has a rotating drum. 
     
     
         43 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the pilot member has a plurality of regularly spaced detents along the center rib. 
     
     
         44 . The instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the cartridge has at least two locating holes separated by a length. 
     
     
         45 . An instrument for locating an axis of a blocking screw, the instrument comprising:
 a mount having a barrel portion and a neck portion, the barrel portion adapted to connect to an orthopaedic implant and having a central axis;   a frame removably attached to the neck portion of the mount, the frame having a first leg and a second leg;   a pilot member removably attached to the frame at the first leg or at the second leg, the pilot member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner and outer portions formed by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall; and   a cartridge received within the inner portion of the pilot member, the cartridge having at least one locating hole, and wherein the cartridge moves within the pilot member in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         46 . The instrument of  claim 45 , the pilot member further comprising a stud. 
     
     
         47 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the pilot member is reversible. 
     
     
         48 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the third wall and fourth wall are angled relative to at least one of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         49 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the mount and frame are integral and define a single-piece structure. 
     
     
         50 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are arcuate and form a continuous curve. 
     
     
         51 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the frame includes at least one channel for mounting the pilot member. 
     
     
         52 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the cartridge has at least one plunger that cooperates with at least one detent of the pilot member to temporarily fix the cartridge in a fixed location. 
     
     
         53 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the cartridge has a rotating drum. 
     
     
         54 . The instrument of  claim 45 , wherein the pilot member has a plurality of regularly spaced detents along the center rib. 
     
     
         55 . An instrument for locating an axis of a blocking screw, the instrument comprising:
 a mount having a barrel portion and a neck portion, the barrel portion adapted to connect to an orthopaedic implant and having a central axis;   a frame removably attached to the neck portion of the mount, the frame having a first leg and a second leg;   a pilot member removably attached to the frame at the first leg or at the second leg; and   a cartridge received within pilot member, the cartridge having at least one locating hole, and wherein the cartridge moves within the pilot member in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         56 . The instrument of  claim 55 , wherein the mount and frame are integral and define a single-piece structure. 
     
     
         57 . The instrument of  claim 55 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are arcuate and form a continuous curve. 
     
     
         58 . The instrument of  claim 55 , wherein the cartridge has at least one plunger that cooperates with at least one detent of the pilot member to temporarily fix the cartridge in a fixed location. 
     
     
         59 . The instrument of  claim 55 , wherein the cartridge has a rotating drum. 
     
     
         60 . The instrument of  claim 55 , wherein the pilot member has a plurality of regularly spaced detents along the center rib.