METACARPAL BONE STABILIZATION DEVICE
A device and method for stabilizing a broken bone while it heals is disclosed. The device is preferably a metal rod that has a threaded portion. The device is positioned into a bone, such as a metacarpal bone, by forming an opening in the bone suitable for receiving the device, and inserting it into the opening wherein the threaded portion retains the device in position.
1 . A one-piece device for repairing a bone, the device configured to be received entirely in the bone and comprising:
(a) a shaft having a length and an outer surface,
(b) a first end without threads juxtaposed thereto, a second end and a center portion between the first end and the second end;
(c) threads on the outer surface and juxtaposed the second end, wherein the threads comprise 25% or less of the shaft length; and
(d) a driving surface at the first end.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised of one or more of nitinol, stainless steel and titanium steel.
3 . The device of claim 1 that has one or more grooves on the outer surface of the center portion, the grooves extending length wise along the outer surface.
4 . The device of claim 3 wherein the shaft has a longitudinal axis and the one or more grooves on the outer surface extend along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
5 . The device of claim 4 wherein at least one of the one or more grooves extends at least half of the length of the shaft.
6 . The device of claim 3 that has three or more grooves.
7 . The device of claim 3 wherein at least one of the grooves has serrated edges.
8 . The device of claim 1 wherein the device has a center portion with an outer diameter and the threads have an outer diameter that is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the center portion.
9 . The device of claim 1 wherein the first end is flared outwards to provide a compression fit in an opening formed in a bone.
10 . The device of claim 1 that further includes an annular gap between the second end and the first end, wherein the annular gap has a diameter, and the shaft on either side of the gap has a diameter, the diameter of the annular gap being less than the diameter of the shaft on either side of the annular gap, the gap for receiving debris generated when installing the device.
11 . The device of claim 10 wherein the annular gap diameter is 5-20% less than the diameter of the shaft on either side of the annular gap.
12 . The device of claim 1 wherein there is a cutting surface at the second end.
13 . The device of claim 1 that further includes one or more helical groves along at least part of the shaft.
14 . The device of claim 13 wherein at least one of the helical grooves has serrated edges.
15 . The device of claim 1 wherein the threads are juxtaposed the second end.
16 . The device of claim 1 wherein the threads are juxtaposed the first end.
17 . The device of claim 1 wherein the threads are on the center portion.
18 . The device of claim 1 wherein the threads are on two or more of the outer surface juxtaposed the second end, the outer surface juxtaposed the first end, and the center portion.
19 . The device of claim 1 that includes a plurality of annular gaps on the outer surface of the center portion of the shaft.