IMPLANT, ALIGNMENT GUIDES, SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

1 . A fusion system, comprising:

a first alignment guide;

a second alignment guide; and

an implant, wherein the first alignment guide couples to an intermediate portion of the implant and the second alignment guide couples to a distal portion of the implant.

2 . The fusion system of claim 1 , wherein the first alignment guide comprises:

a body;

a coupling member engaging a first end of the body;

a fixation member engaging a first end of the body; and

a tissue protector engaging a second end of the body.

3 . The fusion system of claim 2 , wherein the body comprises:

an arm extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body;

an attachment portion coupled to the arm at the first end of the body, wherein the attachment portion comprises:

a through hole extending from a top surface of the attachment portion through to the bottom surface of the attachment portion;

wherein the coupling member is received within the through hole from the bottom surface; and

wherein the fixation member extends through the coupling member to engage the implant; and

an alignment portion coupled to the arm at the second end of the body, wherein the alignment portion comprises:

at least one hole extending through the alignment portion from a first end to a second end.

4 . The fusion system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one hole is two holes.

5 . The fusion system of claim 4 , wherein a first hole of the two holes overlaps a second hole of the two holes.

6 . The fusion system of claim 2 , wherein the second alignment guide comprises:

a body, wherein the body comprises:

an arm extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body;

an attachment portion coupled to the arm at the first end of the body; and

an alignment portion coupled to the arm at the second end of the body;

a fixation member engaging a first end of the body, wherein the fixation members comprise:

a knob; and

a shaft extending away from the knob, wherein the shaft comprises:

a first portion coupled to and extending away from a second end of the knob;

a second portion coupled to and extending away from the first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first diameter, the second portion includes a second diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; and

at least one engagement member coupled to and extending away from the second portion;

wherein the at least one engagement member is threaded to engage threads in an engagement opening in the implant; and

a tissue protector engaging a second end of the body, wherein the tissue protectors comprise:

a handle portion;

a shaft portion coupled to and extends from the handle portion;

a tip at a second end of the shaft portion; and

a through hole extending through the handle portion and shaft portion along a longitudinal axis of the tissue protectors;

wherein the tissue protectors extend through the at least one hole of the alignment portion of the alignment guide.

7 . The fusion system of claim 6 , wherein the attachment portion comprises:

a through hole extending from a top surface of the attachment portion through to the bottom surface of the attachment portion, wherein the fixation member extends through the through hole; and

wherein the alignment portion comprises:

at least one hole extending through the alignment portion from a first end to a second end.

8 . The fusion system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one hole is two holes, and wherein the two holes at least partially overlap.

9 . The fusion system of claim 6 , wherein the body of the first alignment guide is positioned at a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant, wherein the body of the second alignment guide is positioned at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the implant, and wherein the first angle is different than the second angle.

10 . The fusion system of claim 9 , wherein the implant comprises:

a body portion, comprising:

at least one first through hole;

a first engagement opening for receiving a portion of the fixation member of the first alignment guide;

a first alignment opening spaced diagonally from the first engagement opening, wherein the first alignment opening receives an alignment pin of the first alignment guide;

a second engagement opening for receiving a portion of the fixation member of the second alignment guide; and

a second alignment opening spaced diagonally from the second engagement opening, wherein the second alignment opening receives an alignment pin of the second alignment guide;

a first extension portion extending away from a first end of the body portion, wherein the first extension portion comprises:

at least one second through hole; and

a compression slot positioned near a first end of the implant;

wherein the at least one second through hole is positioned between the compression slot and the body portion;

a second extension portion extending away from a second end of the body portion, wherein the second extension portion comprises:

at least one third through hole extending through the implant; and

wherein the second extension portion extends distally from the body portion; and

a third extension portion extending posteriorly away from the second end of the body portion, wherein the third extension portion comprises:

at least one fourth through hole extending through the implant; and

wherein the third extension portion extends posteriorly away from the body member and second extension portion.

11 . The fusion system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a first fastener, wherein the first fastener engages the first alignment guide to position the first fastener relative to the implant; and

a second fastener, wherein the second fastener engages the second alignment guide to position the second fastener relative to the implant.

12 . An implant comprising:

a body portion;

a first extension portion extending away from a first end of the body portion;

a second extension portion extending away from a second end of the body portion; and

a third extension portion extending posteriorly away from the second end of the body portion.

13 . The implant of claim 12 , wherein the body portion comprises:

at least one first through hole;

a first engagement opening for receiving a portion of the fixation member of the first alignment guide; and

a first alignment opening spaced diagonally from the first engagement opening, wherein the first alignment opening receives an alignment pin of the first alignment guide.

14 . The implant of claim 13 , wherein the body portion further comprises:

a second engagement opening for receiving a portion of the fixation member of the second alignment guide; and

a second alignment opening spaced diagonally from the second engagement opening, wherein the second alignment opening receives an alignment pin of the second alignment guide.

15 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein the first extension portion comprises:

at least one second through hole; and

a compression slot positioned near a first end of the implant;

wherein the at least one second through hole is positioned between the compression slot and the body portion.

16 . The implant of claim 15 , wherein the second extension portion comprises:

at least one third through hole extending through the implant; and

wherein the second extension portion extends distally from the body portion.

17 . The fusion system of claim 16 , wherein the third extension portion comprises:

at least one fourth through hole extending through the implant; and

wherein the third extension portion extends posteriorly away from the body member and second extension portion.

18 . A method for using a fusion system, comprising:

preparing at least one joint;

inserting fixation wires across the at least one joint;

obtaining a plate;

placing the plate over a first bone and at least one second bone of the at least one joint;

coupling the plate to the first bone and the at least one second bone;

obtaining a first alignment guide;

coupling the first alignment guide to the plate;

inserting a first k-wire through the first alignment guide and across a first joint of the at least one joint;

obtaining a second alignment guide;

coupling the second alignment guide to the plate;

inserting a second k-wire through the second alignment guide and across a second joint of the at least one joint

removing the first alignment guide from the plate;

removing the second alignment guide from the plate;

inserting a first compression fastener across the first joint;

inserting a second compression fastener across the second joint;

removing the k-wire; and

closing an incision.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein coupling the plate to the first bone and the at least one second bone comprises:

inserting at least one first bone screw through a body portion of the plate and into the first bone;

inserting at least one second bone screw through a first extension portion of the plate and into a second bone;

inserting at least one third bone screw through a second extension portion of the plate and into a third bone; and

inserting at least one fourth bone screw through a third extension portion of the plate and into the third bone.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first compression fastener is inserted through the first joint without contacting the bone screws; wherein the second compression fastener is inserted through the second joint without contacting the bone screws; and wherein the second compression fastener is inserted through the second joint without contacting the first compression fastener.