Devices and systems for nail-based bone fixation

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a clamp composed of four distinct components. The ability to deconstruct the provided clamp into four components as compared to a typical two-part clamp may allow for greater ease in cleaning and sterilization. The provided clamp may include a first arm, a second arm, a cannula block, and a rotary cannula. In some instances, the provided clamp may include a locking feature for locking the rotary cannula to, and releasing it from, the cannula block. The present disclosure also provides a clamp including a scale for bone size determination, a clamp including a scale for determining how much compression force is being applied to a bone between the clamp’s jaws, a system including a bushing and a set screw in which the set screw is self-locking, and a drill component system for preparing an opening in bone for a fixation component.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a set screw having a plurality of exterior threads; and   a bushing comprising:
 a body portion; and 
 an opening through the body portion, 
   wherein the body portion of the bushing comprises:
 a plurality of exterior threads; and 
 an interior comprising at least one of a portion with fully formed interior threads, a portion with partially formed interior threads, and a portion without interior threads, wherein the set screw is configured to be advanced into the interior of the bushing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the body portion comprises the portion with the fully formed interior threads and the portion with the partially formed interior threads. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a threading of the interior gradually tapers from the portion with the fully formed interior threads to the portion with the partially formed interior threads. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the interior of the body portion further comprises the portion without the interior threads. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the portion with partially formed interior threads is disposed between the portion with the fully formed interior threads and the portion without the interior threads. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a threading of the interior gradually tapers from the portion with the partially formed interior threads to the portion without the interior threads. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the portion with the partially formed interior threads is longer than the portion with the fully formed interior threads with respect to a length of the bushing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the interior of the body portion does not include the portion without the interior threads. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the portion with the fully formed interior threads comprises at least two portions with the fully formed interior and the portion with the partially formed interior threads comprises at least two portions with the partially formed interior threads, wherein the at least two portions with the fully formed interior and the at least two portions with the partially formed interior threads are alternately disposed. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the body portion comprises the portion with the partially formed interior threads and the portion without the interior threads, and the interior of the body portion does not include the portion with the fully formed interior threads. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the body portion comprises the portion with the partially formed interior threads, and the interior of the body portion does not include the portion with the fully formed interior threads and the portion without the interior threads. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the body portion comprises the portion with the fully formed interior threads and the portion without the interior threads, and the interior of the body portion does not include the portion with the partially formed interior threads. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the body portion comprises the portion without the interior threads, and the interior of the body portion does not include the portion with the fully formed interior threads and the portion with the partially formed interior threads. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set screw further includes a non-threaded end portion at its leading end. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of exterior threads of the set screw extend along its entire length except for the non-threaded end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the set screw further includes a tapered lead end. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a nail. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the nail is positioned through the opening of the bushing’s body portion, and wherein the set screw and the bushing apply compressive force to the nail. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set screw is made of a material having a greater hardness than a material of which the bushing is made. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing further comprises a nipple extending from the body portion.