GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE FIXATION OF BONE FRACTURES
An improved guide system and method permits a user to insert a fixation device, such as a pin, screw, wire and/or the like, into a bone portion. A guide system may comprise a handle portion and a body portion, wherein the body portion comprises one or more channels configured to facilitate placement and insertion of a fixation device.
1 . A guide system comprising:
a handle portion and a body portion, the body portion having a channel extending the full length of the body portion, the channel sized to accept a fixation device;
a sleeve configured for insertion in the channel of the body portion, wherein the sleeve provides support to a fixation device in the space between the guide system and an insertion point.
2 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein guide system further comprises a locking means.
3 . A guide system of claim 2 , wherein said sleeve comprises a gripping means.
4 . A guide system of claim 3 , the locking means comprising a knob, at least one flange located within said channel, wherein said flange is configured to slide into said gripping means of said sleeve upon activation of the locking means.
5 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has an enlarged proximal head.
6 . A guide system of claim 4 , wherein the distal end of the sleeve comprises a plurality of jagged edges.
7 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a beveled distal end.
8 . A guide system of claim 7 , wherein the beveled end is angled at about 35-45° relative to the horizontal plane.
9 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of laterally spaced-apart, parallel channels.
10 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the guide system is one of self-tapping and self-drilling.
11 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is selected from a group consisting of a pin, bone screw, screw system, nail, lag screw, lag wire, guide wire, lag wire system, lagpin, wire, guide rod and drilling device.
12 . A guide system of claim 1 , further comprising a depth gauge, the depth gauge having a hollow tube and a set of measurement gradations, wherein the depth gauge is configured to determine a suitable length of a fixation device without removing the sleeve of the guide system.
13 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is a lagwire system which comprises:
a head component configured to attach to the bone portion;
a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the wire is configured to mate with the head component; and
a cap configured to mate with the second end of a wire.
14 . A guide system of claim 1 , wherein the guide system is operable to facilitate secure placement of a bone plate.
15 . A guide system of claim 14 , wherein the bone plate comprises a frame having a track, the track comprising an insertion niche configured to receive on to the track at least one of a fastening plate having an opening and a tension member.
16 . A guide system of claim 15 , wherein said guide system is operable to facilitate insertion of the fixation device in the opening of the fastening plate.
17 . A depth gauge comprising:
a channel portion;
a set of measurement gradations; and
a head portion, wherein a guide wire may be inserted into the said head portion along said channel portion to measure of the length of a guide wire without removing the a sleeve of a guide system.
18 . A depth gauge of claim 17 , the tube comprising one of stainless steel, plastic, and titanium.
19 . A method for using a guide system to insert a fixation device into a bone portion, the method comprising:
inserting a sleeve containing a fixation device into a channel of a guide system, wherein the guide system includes the channel sized to accept the fixation device;
aligning the channel at the desired insertion point;
abutting the angled end of the guide system to one of skin and bone; and
tapping the proximal end of the sleeve to insert the fixation device.