System and Method for Bone Fixation
A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together. The fixation system includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an interconnect. The first fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the first portion of bone and a first tapered mating surface. The second fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the second portion of bone and a second tapered mating surface. The interconnect includes a first and a second tapered surface disposed at generally opposite ends. The first and the second tapered surfaces are configured to frictionally engage the first and the second tapered mating surfaces of the first and the second element, respectively, to form frictional interference connections therebetween.
1 . A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together, said fixation system comprising:
a first fixation element having an external surface configured to engage said first portion of bone, said first fixation element including a first tapered mating surface;
a second fixation element having an external surface configured to engage said second portion of bone, said second fixation element including a second tapered mating surface; and
an interconnect comprising a first and a second tapered surface disposed at generally opposite ends, said first and said second tapered surfaces configured to frictionally engage said first and said second tapered mating surfaces of said first and said second element, respectively, to form frictional interference connections therebetween.
2 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein said first fixation element defines a first generally cylindrical element having said first tapered mating surface; and
wherein said interconnect includes a first tapered generally cylindrical portion having said first tapered surface configured to frictionally engage said first tapered mating surfaces of said first fixation element.
3 . The fixation system of claim 2 , wherein said second fixation element defines a second generally cylindrical element having said second tapered mating surface; and
wherein said interconnect includes a second tapered generally cylindrical portion having said second tapered surface configured to frictionally engage said second tapered mating surfaces of said second fixation element.
4 . The fixation system of claim 2 , wherein said first tapered generally cylindrical portion of said first fixation element defines a generally cylindrical cavity having an internal surface including said first tapered mating surface; and
wherein said first tapered generally cylindrical portion of said interconnect includes a first generally cylindrical protrusion having an external surface including said first tapered surface.
5 . The fixation system of claim 2 , wherein said first tapered generally cylindrical portion defines a generally cylindrical protrusion having an external surface including said first tapered mating surface; and
wherein said first tapered generally cylindrical portion of said interconnect includes a first generally cylindrical cavity having an internal surface including said first tapered surface.
6 . The fixation system of claim 1 , further including a pin configured to extend outwardly from said first fixation element along a longitudinal axis of said first fixation element.
7 . The fixation system of claim 1 , further including a shoulder extending radially outwardly from at least a portion of said interconnect, said shoulder located between said first and said second tapered surfaces.
8 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein said interconnect further includes a cannulated passageway extending along a longitudinal axis of said interconnect between said generally opposite ends thereof.
9 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein said first fixation element further includes a cannulated passage extending between a proximal end to a distal end of said first fixation element.
10 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said interconnect is configured to allow at least a portion of said interconnect to bend.
11 . The fixation system of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of said interconnect comprises a shape memory material.
12 . The fixation system of claim 10 , wherein said interconnect is further configured to allow bending motion in generally only a single plane.
13 . The fixation system of claim 10 , wherein said interconnect is configured to reduce bending in at least one longitudinal plane.
14 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein said external surface of said first fixation element includes an externally threaded portion configured to engage said first portion of bone.
15 . The fixation system of claim 14 , wherein said first fixation element is configured to engage with a driver to rotate said first fixation element into said first portion of bone.
16 . The fixation system of claim 15 , wherein said first fixation element includes at least one notch configured to engage with a driver to rotate said first fixation element.
17 . The fixation system of claim 15 , wherein said first fixation element includes at least one notch configured to engage with a driver to rotate said first fixation element.
18 . The fixation system of claim 1 , wherein said external surface of said first fixation element includes a keyed region configured to engage with a corresponding keyed region of said driver to rotate said first fixation element.
19 . A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together, said fixation system comprising:
a first fixation element comprising a first body having an external surface configured to engage said first portion of bone, said first body defining a first generally cylindrical protrusion having a tapered external surface;
a second fixation element comprising a second body having an external surface configured to engage said second portion of bone, said second body defining a second generally cylindrical protrusion having a tapered external surface; and
an interconnect comprising a first and a second tapered generally cylindrical cavity having a tapered internal surface configured to frictionally engage said tapered external surfaces of said first and said second protrusions.
20 . A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together, said fixation system comprising:
a first fixation element comprising a first body having an external surface configured to engage said first portion of bone, said first body defining a first generally cylindrical cavity having a tapered internal surface;
a second fixation element comprising a second body having an external surface configured to engage said second portion of bone, said second body defining a second generally cylindrical cavity having a tapered internal surface; and
an interconnect comprising a first and a second tapered generally cylindrical protrusion having a tapered external surface configured to frictionally engage said tapered internal surfaces of said first and said second cavities.