Super-elastic implant system

Abstract

A super-elastic implant system and method can include: a rigid mandrel; and an implant including a main body in the shape of a tube, the main body formed of a shape set material configured to have: a stress induced martensitic phase in a deformed shape having a straight end, the deformed shape based on the main body being constrained on the mandrel, and an austenitic phase having a non-linear curve, the non-linear curve in the location of the straight end, and the austenitic phase based on the main body being removed from the mandrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A super-elastic implant system comprising:
 a rigid mandrel; and   an implant including a main body in the shape of a tube, the main body formed of a shape set material configured to have:
 a stress induced martensitic phase in a deformed shape having a straight end, the deformed shape based on the main body being constrained on the mandrel, and 
 an austenitic phase having a non-linear curve, the non-linear curve in the location of the straight end, and the austenitic phase based on the main body being removed from the mandrel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the implant includes a conical tip at an end opposite the straight end for aiding the insertion of the implant within a medullary canal and across a fracture site. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a handle coupled to the mandrel, the handle including a ratchet mechanism or a screw mechanism for mechanically transferring the implant from the mandrel into a medullary canal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the main body of the implant includes a radius of curvature that mimics the anatomy of a fractured bone based on the implant being in the austenitic phase. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the main body includes transverse holes for the placement of bone screws. 
     
     
         6 . A super-elastic implant system comprising:
 a rigid mandrel having a curved tip; and   an implant including a main body in the shape of a tube, the main body formed of a shape set material configured to have:
 a stress induced martensitic phase in a deformed shape having a straight end opposite the curved tip of the mandrel and a curved end over the curved tip of the mandrel, the deformed shape based on the main body being constrained on the mandrel, and 
 an austenitic phase having a non-linear curve, the non-linear curve in the location of the straight end, and the austenitic phase based on the main body being removed from the mandrel. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a guide wire, wherein the implant and the mandrel are threaded over the guide wire. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the curved tip of the mandrel conforms to a curved access hole prepared within a fractured bone, the curved access hole providing access to a medullary canal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the implant includes barbs that extend radially outward from the main body based on the main body being in the austenitic phase. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the implant fits within a reamed medullary canal. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing a super-elastic implant system comprising:
 providing a rigid mandrel; and   forming an implant including a main body in the shape of a tube, the main body formed of a shape set material configured to have:
 a stress induced martensitic phase in a deformed shape having a straight end, the deformed shape based on the main body being constrained on the mandrel, and 
 an austenitic phase having a non-linear curve, the non-linear curve in the location of the straight end, and the austenitic phase based on the main body being removed from the mandrel. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein forming the implant includes forming the implant having a conical tip at an end opposite the straight end for aiding the insertion of the implant within a medullary canal and across a fracture site. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising coupling a ratcheting handle to the mandrel, the handle including a ratchet mechanism or a screw mechanism for mechanically transferring the implant from the mandrel into a medullary canal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein forming the implant includes configuring the main body of the implant to include a radius of curvature that mimics the anatomy of a fractured bone based on the implant being in the austenitic phase. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein forming the implant includes forming the main body with transverse holes for the placement of bone screws. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 providing the rigid mandrel includes providing the rigid mandrel having a curved tip; and 
 forming the implant includes forming the configured to have a curved end over the curved tip of the mandrel based on the main body being constrained on the mandrel in the martensitic phase. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising providing a guide wire, wherein the implant and the mandrel are threaded over the guide wire. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein providing the rigid mandrel includes providing the rigid mandrel having the curved tip of the mandrel conforming to a curved access hole within a fractured bone, the curved access hole providing access to a medullary canal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein forming the implant includes forming barbs that extend radially outward from the main body based on the main body being in the austenitic phase. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein forming the implant includes forming the implant configured to fit within a reamed medullary canal.