SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE FIXATION OF BONE FRACTURES
A system and method for facilitating the fixation of bone fractures is disclosed. The system includes a flexible wire attached to a tip. The tip may comprise a substantially planar surface and a pointed cutting edge and cutting threads. The system may further comprise a sleeve that is insertable over the flexible wire to provide additional stability and strength. The sleeve may be smooth or may comprise a gripping means to increase the holding strength of the system. The system and method may be used to deliver treatment to a bone to facilitate fixation. The treatment may comprise medications, adhesives, implants, fasteners, suturing materials, and/or other means of fixation.
1 . A lagwire system comprising:
an anchor component operable to be inserted into a first object, said anchor component comprising a tip and a helical thread, wherein said tip is substantially planar and comprises a pointed cutting edge; and
a flexible wire having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said wire is coupled to said anchor component;
a sleeve operable to be inserted over said flexible wire.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is substantially flexible.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is substantially inflexible.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is comprised of a plastic material.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said plastic material is polyetherketone.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the external surface of said sleeve comprises a gripping means.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said gripping means comprises threads.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein said sleeve is positioned abutting said anchor component.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said sleeve comprises a locking mechanism to affix said sleeve at a desired position along the length of said wire.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said sleeve comprises a tubular configuration and is operable to slide along the length of said wire.
11 . A method for delivering treatment to a bone comprising the steps of:
creating an entry point into a bone using a lagwire system;
attaching a treatment to said lagwire system;
inserting said lagwire system into a bone; and
navigating said lagwire system to a desired position within a bone.
12 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of removing said lagwire system and leaving said treatment within a bone.
13 . A method according to claim 11 , said lagwire system comprises a tip component and a wire component, wherein said tip component is threaded.
14 . A method according to claim 13 , wherein said wire component is flexible.
15 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein said lagwire system is inserted into an intermedullary canal of a bone.
16 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein said treatment is selected from a group consisting of a medication, an adhesive, a bonding material, an implant, a fastener and a suturing material.
17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein said treatment is configured as a sleeve operable to be inserted over said lagwire.
18 . A method according to claim 13 , wherein said lagwire system further comprises an eyelet operable to permit attachment of said treatment.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein said eyelet is located along the length of said wire.
20 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein the entry point is selected based upon the size and shape of a bone.