Orthopedic compression device

1 . An orthopedic compression device comprising:

an outer shaft portion having a threaded outer distal end and having an inner cannulation extending from an opening in a proximal end towards an inner distal end, the inner cannulation having a proximal region;

a head portion, the head portion having a distal end portion with a geometry matched to the proximal region of the cannulation of the outer shaft portion and configured to allow rotation of the head portion to drive rotation of the outer shaft portion, the head portion including an inner channel, wherein the head portion includes a threaded external surface; and

an inner shaft portion, the inner shaft portion formed from a superelastic material and having a stop at a proximal end thereof, the stop engaging a stop surface formed within the head portion, the inner shaft portion extending through the inner channel and coupled to the outer shaft portion;

wherein the inner shaft portion elongates and is placed into tension upon separation of the head portion and outer shaft portion to thereby cause a compressive force between said head portion and said outer shaft portion upon said separation,

wherein a proximal end of the head portion includes a first driver interface configured to receive a corresponding first driver used to rotate said head portion and to cause driven rotation of the outer shaft portion;

wherein the inner shaft portion includes a thread disposed on a distal end thereof, the thread engaging a thread on the inner distal end of the outer shaft portion to cause coupling of the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion, and wherein the inner shaft portion includes a second driver interface that is accessible via a distal opening in the inner cannulation of the outer shaft portion.

2 . The orthopedic compression device of claim 1 , wherein the first driver interface comprises a star driver slot.

3 . The orthopedic compression device of claim 1 , wherein threading on the threaded external surface of the head portion has a different thread pitch from a pitch of threading on the threaded outer distal end of the outer shaft portion.

4 . A medical procedure kit comprising, within a container, the orthopedic compression device of claim 1 , and a first driver, the first driver corresponding to said first driver interface.

5 . A medical procedure kit comprising, within a container, the orthopedic compression device of claim 1 , and a second head portion, the second head portion including an unthreaded bone-engaging external surface.

6 . A method comprising providing the orthopedic compression device of claim 1 , driving said threaded outer distal end of said outer shaft portion into bone across a bone interface a sufficient distance to cause separation of said head portion and said outer shaft portion, whereby said inner shaft portion elongates and is placed under tension to cause a compressive force across said bone interface.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein threading on the threaded external surface of the head portion has a different thread pitch from a pitch of threading on the threaded outer distal end of the outer shaft portion.

8 . A method for assembling an orthopedic compression device, the method comprising:

providing an outer shaft portion having a threaded outer distal end and having an inner cannulation extending from an opening in a proximal end towards an inner distal end, the inner cannulation having a proximal region; a head portion, the head portion having a distal end portion with a geometry matched to the proximal region of the cannulation of the outer shaft portion and configured to allow rotation of the head portion to drive rotation of the outer shaft portion, the head portion including a first driver interface, an inner channel, an inner stop surface, and a threaded external surface; and an inner shaft portion, the inner shaft portion formed from a superelastic material and having a stop at a proximal end thereof;

passing a distal end of the inner shaft portion through the inner channel of the head until the stop of the inner shaft portion engages said stop surface;

introducing the distal end of the inner shaft portion into the inner cannulation of the outer shaft portion through said opening in said proximal end; and

coupling the inner shaft portion to the outer shaft portion, the distal end portion of the head portion at least partially disposed within the proximal region of the inner cannulation of the outer shaft portion, wherein coupling the inner shaft portion to the outer shaft portion includes inserting a driver through a distal opening in the inner cannulation of the outer shaft portion, engaging said driver with a second driver interface disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft portion, and rotating the driver.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first driver interface comprises a star driver slot and the second driver interface comprises a Phillips driver slot.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the inner shaft portion includes a thread disposed on a distal end thereof, the thread engaging with a thread on the inner distal end of the outer shaft portion to cause coupling of the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein threading on the threaded external surface of the head portion has a different thread pitch from a pitch of threading on the threaded outer distal end of the outer shaft portion.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a proximal end of the head portion includes the first driver interface configured to receive a corresponding first driver used to rotate said head portion and to cause driven rotation of the outer shaft portion.