Abstract: Intramedullary medical devices (e.g., intramedullary nails) and methods for their use and manufacture are described herein. The intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide sustained compressive forces across a bone fusion site despite bone resorption processes. Through various embodiments, the intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide non-linear force curves relative to displacement. Intramedullary medical devices are described with multiple elements made of different materials. Examples of intramedullary medical devices are described with shape memory alloys.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 22, 2013
Publication date:
November 21, 2013
Applicant:
MedShape Inc.
Inventors:
Kenneth A. Gall, Kurt Jacobus, Heidi K. Waldman, Douglas Pacaccio, Mark Harrold
Abstract: Methods and apparatus described herein may utilize activation of an SMP material to install medical devices with respect to a surgical site. Activation of the SMP material may be performed with the use of a triggering force and/or a constraint applied to the SMP material. Activation using a triggering force and/or a constraint may be used to create varied activation rates in an SMP material and varying speeds and times of activation to occur in shape memory polymers in devices. The disclosure also describes devices using wedge elements for activation of shape memory response in the SMP material.
Abstract: Intramedullary medical devices (e.g., intramedullary nails) and methods for their use and manufacture are described herein. The intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide sustained compressive forces across a bone fusion site despite bone resorption processes. Through various embodiments, the intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide non-linear force curves relative to displacement. Intramedullary medical devices are described with multiple elements made of different materials. Examples of intramedullary medical devices are described with shape memory alloys.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2013
Assignee:
MedShape, Inc.
Inventors:
Kenneth A. Gall, Kurt Jacobus, Heidi K. Waldman, Douglas Pacaccio, Mark Harrold
Abstract: Methods and apparatus described herein may utilize activation of an SMP material to install medical devices with respect to a surgical site. Activation of the SMP material may be performed with the use of a triggering force and/or a constraint applied to the SMP material. Activation using a triggering force and/or a constraint may be used to create varied activation rates in an SMP material and may be combined with temperature or other activation stimuli to create the varied activation rates.