SEGMENTED INTRAMEDULLARY SYSTEM AND METHODS
Methods of manufacturing, assembling, or treating a patient with an implantable segmented intramedullary structure adapted to be received in the intramedullary canal of a bone configurable between a relatively flexible, bent configuration for implantation or extraction and a relatively rigid, straightened configuration for bone treatment. The segmented intramedullary structure comprises a plurality of interconnected segments with a first interface and a complementarily-shaped second interface such that the first interface of a segment cooperatively engages the second interface of an adjacent segment. The segments define a channel for a tensioning member to lock the structure in a compressed configuration.
1 . A method for tensioning a surgical elongate member, the method comprising:
providing an implant having a elongate member connected thereto, and a locking feature on the implant, wherein the locking feature circumferentially engages the elongate member to lock onto the elongate member;
actuating a tensioner to regulate the tension on the elongate member; and
locking the locking mechanism on the elongate member to maintain a selected tension.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is a segmented intramedullary fracture fixation device.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a collet.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising actuating the locking mechanism actuator to lock the locking mechanism onto the elongate member after regulating the tension on the elongate member.
5 . A method for tensioning a surgical elongate member, the method comprising:
connecting a first location on an elongate member to an implant;
locking a locking feature onto a second location on the elongate member, wherein the locking feature circumferentially engages the elongate member to lock onto the elongate member;
actuating a tensioner to regulate the tension on the elongate member between the first location and the second location; and
locking a locking mechanism onto a third location on the elongate member.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the implant is a segmented intramedullary fracture fixation device.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the third location is between the first location and the second location.
8 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising actuating the locking mechanism actuator to lock the locking mechanism onto the third location on the elongate member after regulating the tension on the elongate member.
9 . A method of treating a fracture in a bone, comprising the steps of:
providing an elongate fixation device, having a proximal end and a distal end;
advancing the fixation device along a nonlinear path while the fixation device is in a flexible state, until the fixation device spans a fracture in the bone;
engaging the bone with the distal end of the fixation device;
transforming the fixation device from the flexible state to a substantially rigid state;
axially shortening the fixation device to apply compression across the fracture; and
locking the fixation device in the substantially rigid state.
10 . The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9 , wherein the axially shortening step and the locking step are accomplished simultaneously.
11 . The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9 , wherein the axially shortening step is accomplished following the engaging step.
12 . The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9 , wherein the transforming step comprises proximally retracting a tensioning element with respect to the proximal end.
13 . The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 12 , wherein the locking step comprises locking the tension element in a compression lock.
14 . The method of treating a fracture in a bone as in claim 9 , wherein the axially shortening the fixation device is decreases a fixation device length by up to about 5 mm.
15 . A method of locking an implant in a rigid configuration, comprising the steps of:
tensioning an elongate member disposed through two or more segments of an implant;
locking the elongate member at a lock; and
cutting the elongate member proximal to the lock.