Tool for bone fixation device
View Patent ↗A tool for inserting a bone fixation device is provided. The tool generally includes an elongate outer body and an elongate inner body, each having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The tool typically includes a pin-receiving portion at the distal end of the outer body for receiving a proximal pin of a bone fixation device. The tool may further include first and second levers pivotally mounted to the inner member at respective pivot axes, and each of the levers having a gripping portion. The levers preferably include finger engagement portions, wire-gripping portions, and are preferably configured to be axially movable relative to the outer body. The levers are generally configured such that a proximal force on the finger engagement portions relative to the outer body will cause the pin engagement portions to close and to move proximally such that a guidewire of a bone fixation device placed between the wire-gripping portions may be gripped and pulled proximally.
1. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:
providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;
advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;
gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and
proximally retracting with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;
wherein the step of proximally retracting with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen comprises moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment, tool; and
wherein the step of moving the outer body of the deployment tool with respect to the central body of the deployment tool comprises one way ratchet-type motion.
2. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 1 , wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.
3. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 2 , wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.
4. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 3 , wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.
5. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 4 , wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.
6. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 5 , wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.
7. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:
providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;
advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;
gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and
moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;
wherein the step of moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen comprises moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment, tool; and
wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.
8. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.
9. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 8 , wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.
10. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 9 , wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.
11. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 10 , wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.
12. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:
providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;
advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;
gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and
moving with the deployment tool the wire axially through the lumen such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement;
wherein the step of gripping with a deployment tool a proximal portion of a wire comprises moving ends of a pair of lever arms toward each other.
13. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 12 , wherein the step of moving the ends of a pair of lever arms towards each other comprises applying a proximal force to an opposite end of the pair of lever arms.
14. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 13 , wherein the proximal force is, applied by the fingers of a hand holding the deployment tool.
15. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 14 , wherein the outer and central bodies of the deployment tool extend between at least the fingers applying the proximal force.
16. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 15 , wherein the palm of the hand holding the deployment device prevents proximal movement of the central body with respect to the outer body.
17. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone comprising the steps of:
providing a pin having at least one laterally moveable distal anchor and a lumen extending therethrough;
advancing the distal anchor through the first piece of bone and into the second piece of bone while the distal anchor is permitted to move laterally inwardly as needed;
gripping a proximal portion of a wire that extends axially through the lumen; and
proximally retracting the wire axially through the lumen using a deployment tool such that a distal portion of the wire resists radial inward deflection of the distal anchor, wherein proximally retracting the wire includes moving an outer body of the deployment tool with respect to a central body of the deployment tool, thereby locking the distal anchor with respect to lateral inward movement.
18. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 17 , wherein the step of gripping a proximal portion of a wire includes gripping the proximal portion of the wire with a deployment tool.
19. A method of fixing a first piece of bone to a second piece of bone as in claim 17 , wherein moving the outer body of the deployment tool with respect to the central body of the deployment tool comprises one way ratchet-type motion.