Variable length device and method

1. A method for treating a complex fracture with a variable length nail comprising a housing and a distraction shaft, the housing containing a rotatable permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a lead screw, the lead screw interfacing with a nut such that rotation of the lead screw in a first direction causes the distraction shaft to axially retract within the housing and rotation of the lead screw in a second direction causes the distraction shaft to axially extend from the housing, wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted using an external adjustment device that is configured to be located in proximity to a patient's skin, the external adjustment device comprising at least one rotatable magnet, the method comprising:

making a first hole or incision in the skin of the patient in proximity to a fractured long bone, wherein the fractured long bone was not purposely fractured and comprises at least several pieces of bone, and at least partially clearing a canal through the center of the long bone;

inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone;

causing or allowing the hole or incision to close; and

determining after causing or allowing the hole or incision to close that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length, wherein the determining includes determining whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially long, whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially short, or whether the long bone is substantially the correct length, wherein the external adjustment device is configured to be operated in response to the determining that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length so that a magnetic field of the at least one rotatable magnet causes the rotatable permanent magnet of the variable length nail to rotate, causing the distraction shaft to either retract into or extend out of the housing.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the fractured long bone is a substantially correct length; and

allowing the bone to consolidate.

3. A method for treating a complex fracture with a variable length nail comprising a housing and a distraction shaft, the housing containing a rotatable permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a lead screw, the lead screw interfacing with a nut such that rotation of the lead screw in a first direction causes the distraction shaft to axially retract within the housing and rotation of the lead screw in a second direction causes the distraction shaft to axially extend from the housing, wherein the variable length nail is configured to be implanted by making a first hole or incision in the skin of the patient in proximity to a fractured long bone, wherein the fractured long bone was not purposely fractured and comprises at least several pieces of bone, and at least partially clearing a canal through the center of the long bone, inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone, and causing or allowing the hole or incision to close, wherein it is determined after causing or allowing the hole or incision to close that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length, wherein the determining includes determining whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially long, whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially short, or whether the long bone is substantially the correct length, the method comprising;

placing an external adjustment device in proximity to the patient's skin, the external adjustment device comprising at least one rotatable magnet; and

operating the external adjustment device in response to the determining that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length so that a magnetic field of the at least one rotatable magnet causes the rotatable permanent magnet of the variable length nail to rotate, causing the distraction shaft to either retract into or extend out of the housing.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft retracts into the housing in order to apply compression between a plurality of sections of the fractured long bone.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft extends from the housing in order to perform a distraction of the bone and/or a fracture callus.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft extends from the housing in order to perform a distraction of the bone and/or a fracture callus.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft retracts into the housing in order to apply compression between a plurality of sections of the fractured long bone.

8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the total change of length during the cycling is between 5% and 60% of a nominal gap between a plurality of sections of bone.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the total change of length during the cycling is approximately 30% of the nominal gap between a plurality of sections of bone.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart at a frequency of at least 30 cycles per minute.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart for a cumulative time period of greater than 5 minutes per day and less than one hour per day.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart for a cumulative time period of greater than 10 minutes per day and less than 60 minutes per day.

14. The method of claim 3 , wherein the rotation of the at least one rotatable magnet is cyclic.

15. The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating step is performed one day after inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone.

16. The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating step is performed at least one week after inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone.

17. The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating step is performed after the patient has at least partially recovered from a surgical procedure associated with inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone.

18. The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating step is performed at least one week after the patient has at least partially recovered from a surgical procedure associated with inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone.

19. A method for treating a complex fracture comprising:

supplying a variable length nail comprising a housing and a distraction shaft, the housing containing a rotatable permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a lead screw, the lead screw interfacing with a nut such that rotation of the lead screw in a first direction causes the distraction shaft to axially retract within the housing and rotation of the lead screw in a second direction causes the distraction shaft to axially extend from the housing, wherein the variable length nail is configured to he implanted by making a first hole or incision in the skin of the patient in proximity to a fractured long bone, wherein the fractured long bone was not purposely fractured and comprises at least several pieces of bone, and at least partially clearing a canal through the center of the long bone, inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone, and causing or allowing the hole or incision to close, wherein it is determined after causing or allowing the hole or incision to close that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length, wherein the determining includes determining whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially long, whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially short, or whether the long hone is substantially the correct length, wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating an external adjustment device in response to the determining that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length, wherein the external adjustment device is configured to be placed in proximity to the patient's skin and comprises at least one rotatable magnet, wherein during operation a magnetic field of the at least one rotatable magnet causes the rotatable permanent magnet of the variable length nail to rotate, causing the distraction shaft to either retract into or extend out of the housing.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the rotation of the at least one rotatable magnet is cyclic.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft retracts into the housing in order to apply compression between a plurality of sections of the fractured long bone.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft extends from the housing in order to perform a distraction of the bone and/or a fracture callus.

23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft extends from the housing in order to perform a distraction of the bone and/or a fracture callus.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft retracts into the housing in order to apply compression between a plurality of sections of the fractured long bone.

25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart.

26. A method for treating a complex fracture comprising:

supplying a variable length nail comprising a housing and a distraction shaft, the housing containing a rotatable permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a lead screw, the lead screw interfacing with a nut such that rotation of the lead screw in a first direction causes the distraction shaft to axially retract within the housing and rotation of the lead screw in a second direction causes the distraction shaft to axially extend from the housing, wherein the variable length nail is configured to be implanted by making a first hole or incision in the skin of the patient in proximity to a fractured long bone, wherein the fractured long bone was not purposely fractured and comprises at least several pieces of bone, and at least partially clearing a canal through the center of the long bone, inserting the variable length nail into the canal and securing the housing and distraction shaft to separate portions of the fractured long bone, and causing or allowing the hole or incision to close, wherein it is determined after causing or allowing the hole or incision to close that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length, wherein the determining includes determining whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially long, whether the long bone is incorrectly substantially short, or whether the long bone is substantially the correct length; and

supplying an external adjustment device comprising at least one rotatable magnet, wherein the external adjustment device is configured to be placed in proximity to the patient's skin and to be operated in response to the determining that the fractured long bone is a substantially incorrect length so that a magnetic field of the at least one rotatable magnet causes the rotatable permanent magnet of the variable length nail to rotate, causing the distraction shaft to either retract into or extend out of the housing.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the rotation of the at least one rotatable magnet is cyclic.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft retracts into the housing in order to apply compression between a plurality of sections of the fractured long bone.

29. The method of claim 26 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft extends from the housing in order to perform a distraction of the bone and/or a fracture callus.

30. The method of claim 26 , wherein the variable length nail is configured to be adjusted by operating the external adjustment device so that the distraction shaft and housing are cycled together and apart.