BONE IMPLANT WITH MEANS FOR MULTI DIRECTIONAL FORCE AND MEANS OF INSERTION
An assembly used in osteosynthesis comprising a delivery instrument in combination with an implant wherein the delivery instrument releasably holds the implant in a first configuration prior to attachment of the implant to bone. The delivery instrument allows the implant to be affixed to bone before the implant is released from the instrument. And the instrument may comprise guide means for drills, depth gauges, screws, pins, pegs, blades and or drivers which are used or implanted when the implant is releasably attached to the instrument. After the implant is affixed to bone and released from the delivery instrument, the implant assumes at least a second configuration which provides compression and or distraction and or control of spatial orientation.
1 . An assembly for delivering an implant to a surgical site for osteosynthesis comprising:
an implant having a first configuration when the implant is releasably attached to a delivery instrument and a second configuration when the implant is not attached to the delivery instrument, the second configuration generating forces in more than one direction when the implant is implanted in or on bone or tissue segments, at least a portion of the implant comprising a material that allows the implant to have multiple configurations,
the implant having means for fixation to bone and having means for engaging the delivery instrument, or the delivery instrument having means for engaging the implant, or both the implant and delivery instrument having means for engaging one another, wherein the means for engaging do not impede the placement of the implant onto the bone.