FRACTURE FIXATION DEVICE WITH SUPPORT RODS AND SHEATH
Fracture fixation devices for placement within the intramedullary canal of a bone are disclosed. The devices disclosed include a tubular support including a liquid impermeable portion and a plurality of elongated members. The devices are typically used with a hardenable cement. Apparatus and methods for removing such devices are also disclosed.
1 . A bone fracture fixation device for placement within the intramedullary canal of a fractured bone comprising:
an expandable, generally tubular support having an open proximal end and a distal end, said support comprising a liquid permeable portion and a liquid impermeable portion,
said support further comprising a plurality of spaced elongated members adjoined thereto.
2 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said liquid impermeable portion comprises a coating of a biocompatible, liquid impermeable material on said support.
3 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said liquid impermeable portion comprises a tubular sheath placed over said tubular support.
4 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said tubular support comprises a mesh tube.
5 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said elongated members comprise rods.
6 . The fracture fixation device of claim 5 wherein said rods include an outer surface that is textured.
7 . The fracture fixation device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said rods is threaded.
8 . The fracture fixation device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said rods is knurled.
9 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said liquid impermeable portion has at least one flange.
10 . The fracture fixation device of claim 9 comprising at least a proximal flange and a distal flange.
11 . The fracture fixation device of claim 4 wherein said elongated members are adjoined to said tubular support by sutures.
12 . The fracture fixation device of claim 11 wherein said support has a proximal end and a distal end and includes sutures adjoining said elongated members to said tube at said proximal and distal ends.
13 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said elongated members are sufficiently flexible so as to bend when introduced into the intramedullary canal.
14 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said elongated members are made of stainless steel.
15 . The fracture fixation device of claim 1 wherein said liquid impermeable portion is made of a material that is impermeable to a hardenable biocompatible liquid cement.
16 . The fracture fixation device of claim 15 wherein said cement is resorbable.
17 . Apparatus for removing a fracture fixation device that includes a hardened cement and a plurality of elongated members held by said hardened cement from the intramedullary canal of a bone, said apparatus comprising:
a shaft and a working end, said working end comprising one or more slots for capturing an end of at least one of said elongated members.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said working end comprises a star-shaped member including a plurality of prongs defining slots therebetween.
19 . The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said working end comprises a tubular member having a hollow interior for capturing said end of at least one of said elongated members.
20 . The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said working end is manipulable by said shaft.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said shaft is rotatable.
22 . A method for removing a fracture fixation device from the intramedullary canal of a bone wherein said device comprises a tubular support, said support further including a liquid impermeable portion adjacent to the site of a bone fracture, a plurality of spaced elongated members adjoined to said support and a hardened cement within said support, said method comprising:
providing a removal device including a shaft and working end, said working end including one or more slots for capturing an end of at least one of said elongated members;
introducing said removal device into said intramedullary canal;
capturing an end of at least one of said elongated members;
manipulating said working end to dislodge said at least one elongated member from said cement; and
removing said at least one of said elongated members from said intramedullary canal.
23 . The method of claim 22 further comprising removing said cement from said intramedullary canal.
24 . The method of claim 23 further comprising softening said cement prior to said removal of said at least one elongated member.
25 . The method of claim 24 comprising softening said cement by applying energy to at least one of said elongated members.