Bone stabilization device and method

Abstract

There is disclosed a device and method for stabilizing a bone. The device includes a polymer with a deformation temperature. The polymer is relatively deformable at a temperature above the deformation temperature and relatively rigid at a temperature below the deformation temperature. The device, while the polymer is above the deformation temperature, is responsive to an insertion force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The device, while the polymer is below the deformation temperature, is relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone stabilization device for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a bone, the device comprising an elongated body configured for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a deformation temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., wherein the polymer is in a relatively deformable first state at a temperature above the deformation temperature and a relatively rigid second state at a temperature below the deformation temperature, the device, while the polymer is in the first state above the deformation temperature, being responsive to a bending force to bend during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the device, when cooled to the second state below the deformation temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone. 
     
     
         2 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 1  wherein the bone stabilization device is responsive to subsequent re-heating cycles to a temperature above the deformation temperature to re-enter the first state and subsequent cooling cycles below the deformation to re-enter the second state such that the device is able to transition between the first and second states multiple times. 
     
     
         3 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a first portion adjacent the first end, a second portion adjacent the second end, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second ends, the intermediate portion including the polymer with a deformation temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., at least one of the first and second end portions having a construction different from the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         4 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first and second portions remains relatively rigid at a temperature at which the intermediate portion is relatively deformable. 
     
     
         5 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 4  wherein the first portion comprises a leading insertion portion and the second portion comprises a tool attachment portion. 
     
     
         6 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 5  wherein the tool attachment portion comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 4  wherein the first and second portions comprise metal. 
     
     
         8 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a first portion adjacent the first end, a second portion adjacent the second end, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second ends wherein the first and second portions are enlarged relative to the intermediate portion, imparting an hour glass shape to the device. 
     
     
         9 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the body is radially outwardly expandable to conform to the surrounding intramedullary canal while at a temperature above its deformation temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 9  wherein the intermediate portion includes a non-expandable region operable to protect a portion of the bone from pressure in response to radial expansion of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 9  wherein the body is radially outwardly biased, the body being responsive to heating above the deformation temperature of the polymer to expand radially outwardly. 
     
     
         12 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 1  further comprising a longitudinal passage in the elongated body for engaging a guidewire. 
     
     
         13 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 12  further comprising a guidewire configured to be received in axial sliding relationship within the longitudinal passage. 
     
     
         14 . The bone stabilization device of  claim 13  wherein the guidewire is configured to be removably insertable into the intramedullary canal of a bone along a pathway, at least a portion of the pathway being not parallel to the intramedullary canal of the bone, and the elongated body is deformable in the first state to follow the path. 
     
     
         15 . A bone stabilization device for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary canal having a non-linear lengthwise shape, the device comprising: an elongated body configured for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a bone, the body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a length along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends, the body including a polymer with a deformation temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., wherein the polymer is in a relatively deformable first state at a temperature above the deformation temperature and a relatively rigid second state at a temperature below the deformation temperature, the device, while the polymer is in the first state above the deformation temperature, being responsive to an insertion force during insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone to conform along the length of the device to the non-linear lengthwise shape of the intramedullary canal, and the device, when cooled to the second state below the deformation temperature, being relatively rigid and able to provide reinforcement to the bone.