Systems and methods for implanting surgical implants
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to an implant system that comprises an implant, a handle configured to removably receive the implant, and, in some embodiments, a spacer tool configured to be mounted on the implant. In further embodiments, a k-wire is employed to guide the implant to a desired location. The handle has a hole for receiving a first portion of the implant. Using the handle to implant the implant, along with an associated spacer, provides a quick and convenient method for implanting the implant as described herein and in the associated drawings.
1. An implant system for connecting two or more bone portions, the system comprising:
an implant having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions, the implant being configured to be implanted between a first and a second bone portions, wherein the implant defines a flat land, wherein the implant is a cannulated implant having a passageway therethrough, and the passageway is configured to accept a k-wire, and wherein the implant includes a slot in the first portion of the implant; and
a handle configured to be grasped by a user for inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion, wherein the handle includes a unitary body, wherein a proximal portion of the unitary body defines an oval shape having at least one substantially flat orientation surface, wherein the handle has a hole in a distal end that is configured to receive the first portion of the implant, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slot defined by the first portion of the implant, wherein the divider is configured to orient the implant, and wherein the substantially flat orientation surface is aligned with the flat land of the implant when the first portion of the implant is received within the hole,
wherein the handle is configured to be removed from the first portion of the implant after inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the hole is configured to hold the implant in a predetermined orientation.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein the at least one orientation surface is aligned with at least one wall of the hole and a flat land of the implant.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising the k-wire, and the k-wire is configured to pass through the implant and to guide the implant.
5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein the handle is configured to accommodate the k-wire.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a spacer configured to be removably secured to the intermediate portion of the implant.
7. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein the spacer is configured to prevent insertion of the implant into the first bone portion beyond a length of the second portion of the implant.
8. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein the spacer is configured to prevent insertion of the implant into a second bone portion beyond a length of the first portion of the implant.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the implant is inserted into the hole of the handle.
10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the hole is configured to hold the implant in a predetermined orientation.
11. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the handle further comprises a landmark that corresponds with the predetermined orientation of the implant.
12. A system for correcting a hammer toe condition by fusing a middle phalanx to a proximal phalanx, the system comprising:
an implant having a first barbed portion, a second barbed portion and an intermediate portion between the first and second barbed portions, wherein the implant defines a flat land, and wherein the first barbed portion defines a slot;
a handle having a hole configured to receive the first barbed portion, the handle configured to be grasped by a user, wherein the handle includes a unitary body, wherein a proximal portion of the unitary body defines an oval shape having at least one substantially flat orientation surface, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slot defined by the first portion of the implant, wherein the divider is configured to orient the implant, and wherein the substantially flat orientation surface is aligned with the flat land of the implant when the first barbed portion of the implant is received within the hole;
a spacer configured to be removably coupled to the intermediate portion of the implant, wherein the spacer comprises a grip section having a plurality of serrations formed thereon, wherein the spacer includes at least one dimple configured to form an interference fit with the intermediate portion of the implant, and
wherein:
the second barbed portion of the implant is configured to be secured within one of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx,
the first barbed portion of the implant is configured to be removed from the handle and then inserted into the other of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx.
13. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the implant is an angled implant, having an angle formed between the first barbed portion and the second barbed portion.
14. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the implant is a cannulated implant having a passageway therethrough, and the passageway is configured to accept a k-wire.
15. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the second barbed portion of the implant comprises a plurality of barbs forming a thread.
16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the hole of the handle is further configured to prevent the implant from rotating within the hole when the implant is secured within one of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx by screwing the implant into one of said middle phalanx or said proximal phalanx.
17. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the handle is configured to be grasped by the user with one hand.
18. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the handle has at least one orientation surface that corresponds with the orientation of the implant.
19. The system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a divider disposed within the hole of the handle, wherein the first barbed portion of the implant has a slot, and the divider is configured to be inserted into the slot.
20. A method for implanting an implant between first and second bone portions, the method comprising:
providing an implant having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions, wherein the implant defines a flat land, and wherein the first portion of the implant defines a slot;
providing a handle configured to be grasped by a user, the handle having a hole therein that is configured to receive one or more of the first portion, the second portion, and the intermediate portion of the implant, wherein the handle includes a unitary body, wherein a proximal portion of the unitary body defines an oval shape having a unitary body defining at least one substantially flat orientation surface, wherein the hole includes a divider sized and configured to be received within the slot defined by the first portion of the implant, wherein the divider is configured to orient the implant, and wherein the substantially flat orientation surface is aligned with the flat land of the implant when the one or more of the first portion, the second portion, and the intermediate portion of the implant is received within the hole;
providing a spacer configured to be removably coupled to the intermediate portion of the implant, wherein the spacer comprises a grip section having a plurality of serrations formed thereon;
positioning at least a part of the first portion of the implant within the hole of the handle, such that a user can grasp the handle and manipulate the implant with the handle;
inserting the second portion of the implant into the first bone portion;
removing the handle from the first portion of the implant; and
positioning the first portion of the implant within the second bone portion.
21. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the implant has barbs on the first portion and on the second portion.
22. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the hole is configured to hold the implant in a predetermined orientation.
23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the handle has at least one orientation surface that corresponds with the orientation of the implant.
24. The method as recited in claim 23 further comprising using the orientation surface of the hand to orient the second portion of the implant with respect to the first bone portion.
25. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the implant is a cannulated implant having a passageway therethrough, and wherein the passage is configured to accept a k-wire.
26. The method as recited in claim 25 further comprising:
inserting the k-wire into one or more of the first bone portion and the second bone portion; and
guiding the implant over the inserted k-wire into the one or more of the first bone portion and the second bone portion.