Abstract: An intramedullary nail targeting apparatus for targeting and drilling screw openings in the intramedullay nail is provided herein. A preferred version of the targeting apparatus includes a magnetic targeting device, a nail extension for connecting to an intramedullary nail, and a magnet member, preferably in a “bucking configuration,” for affixing to the intramedullary nail at a defined position relative to the screw openings in the nail. The nail extension includes a targeting arm with one or more bores which align with the screw openings in the nail when the targeting arm is aligned with the intramedullary nail. The magnetic targeting device includes a support member with a sensor array that extends through one of the bores on the targeting arm to target the magnet member, thereby aligning the targeting arm with the intramedullary nail. A second bore on the targeting arm can then be used for drilling through the bone at the position of an aligned screw opening.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail targeting device for detecting the precise location and position of an opening in an intramedullary nail in a bone or similar object within a body of tissue is described. The device includes a body with a handle end and a drill sleeve end, an activation button, a drill sleeve connected to the drill sleeve end and having a first proximal end and a second distal end. The drill sleeve has a length necessary to extend through the depth of the tissue and includes a sensor foot and a drill guide. The sensor foot includes a sensor array for sensing the opening in the intramedullary nail when the sensor foot is placed on or near the surface of the bone.

Abstract: A device and method for targeting objects and specifically for locating intramedullary screw openings is described. The device and method include a target magnet and a sensor comprising an elliptical array of magnetoresistive elements, designed to give information on the three-dimensional orientation of the magnet. The sensor array is designed such that each magnetoresistive element is a member of an opposing pair and relays information on their alignment with the target magnet. The array is connected to a display such that the position of the sensor in relation to the target magnet is easily discerned. The invention is lightweight and portable, capable of operating on batteries and can be used in primitive situations where a stable supply of electricity is not available.

Abstract: A device and method for targeting objects and specifically for locating intramedullary screw openings is described. The device and method include a target magnet and a sensor comprising an elliptical array of magnetoresistive elements, designed to give information on the three-dimensional orientation of the magnet. The sensor array is designed such that each magnetoresistive element is a member of an opposing pair and relays information on their alignment with the target magnet. The array is connected to a display such that the position of the sensor in relation to the target magnet is easily discerned. The invention is lightweight and portable, capable of operating on batteries and can be used in primitive situations where a stable supply of electricity is not available.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in combination with a proximal bone screw. The nail includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a central axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the body has a transverse slot therethrough, the transverse slot therethrough with contour for allowing the proximal bone screw to be inserted through the transverse slot and through the proximal end of the body with the longitudinal axis of the proximal bone screw located at an angle to the central axis of the body of the nail within a range between an acute angle on either side of a plane extending transverse to the central axis of the body of the nail.

Abstract: A device is provided for targeting transverse locking holes for locking screws or pins in an elongate hollow orthopedic locking rod. Such rods are inserted into the intramedullary canal of a bone of a patient that is being fixed in place by the rod. The device includes a tubular drill guide member having a drill guide bore therethrough for receiving a drill. The drill, when aligned with a target locking hole, is used in drilling through the bone via the target locking hole. The guide member has a distal end adapted to be brought into contact with the bone. A target magnet or magnet assembly is inserted into the longitudinal bore in the locking element to a position adjacent to, and proximally offset from, the target locking hole. A magnetic targeting unit is mounted for movement on the drill guide member in laterally offset relation to the drill guide bore. The unit is used to sense the location of the target magnet and produces an output (e.g.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in combination with a proximal bone screw. The nail includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a central axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the body has a transverse slot therethrough, the transverse slot therethrough with contour for allowing the proximal bone screw to be inserted through the transverse slot and through the proximal end of the body with the longitudinal axis of the proximal bone screw located at an angle to the central axis of the body of the nail within a range between an acute angle on either side of a plane extending transverse to the central axis of the body of the nail.

Abstract: A surgical passer device is provided for passing a wire or cable around or along a bone of a patient. The passer device comprises two separate passer members which are curved such that, when they are joined, they fit around the bone. In one embodiment, both curved members are cannulated and include permanent magnets at the distal ends thereof which, when magnetically engaged, bring the cannulated members into alignment so that a cable or wire can be passed therethrough. The members are then withdrawn, leaving the cable around the bone. In a further embodiment, a cable with a tip magnet is loaded into a curved cannulated passer member with the magnet exposed and a further curved passer member is used to capture the tip magnet and pull it around the bone. In one implementation, the further member is a malleable rod that can be bent into a suitable curved shape.

Abstract: A curved guide or fixation pin is provided for use in the fixation of fractured bones. In one embodiment, a pin guide device is used to locate the pin at the desired entry point on the bone and the pin is tapped or hammered into place. With the guide device removed, the pin is driven further into the bone and a flexible reamer device, which is placed over the pin and which uses the pin as guide, is used to ream out the path defined by pin so as to prepare the bone for a intermedullary rod. The curvature of the pin assists in ensuring that the path of the pin connects to the medullary canal. In another embodiment, the curved pin has an enlarged proximal head and a two piece pin guide device is used which is disassembled after the pin initially penetrates the bone so as to permit the pin to be driven home. A self-retaining protective retractor device provides soft tissue protection during the reaming operation and eliminates the need for medical personnel to hold the retractor device.

Abstract: A femoral neck anteversion guide for use with a femur having a prepared intramedullary canal. The guide includes a radiolucent stem having a distal end for inserting into the prepared intramedullary canal; and a radiopaque angle locator wire embedded within the stem at a known angle for allowing the femoral neck angle and femoral neck anteversion to be determined.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system is provided for assisting in positioning a fastening element at a desired concealed internal location such as in a preformed opening in an interlocking nail in a long bone of a limb of a patient who has suffered a bone fracture. The arrangement includes: a first permanent ("target") magnet positioned at the internal location and a positioning device for a second permanent ("targeting") magnet. The positioning device comprises a hand-held drill and a magnetic aiming device mounted on the drill. The aiming device including a pivot member including the second magnet is disposed at one end thereof and having an axial bore. A mount for the pivot member permits three degrees of movement of the pivot member so as to enable the second magnet to align with the first magnet. The positioning device also includes a guide pin which is insertable into the axial bore and which is engaged by the drill chuck of the drill when the magnets are aligned.

Abstract: Reduction of a fracture in a long bone is provided by a magnetic reducing rod assembly including a pair of reducing rod devices each comprising a flexible rod having a magnet at one end thereof. The magnets on the rods are inserted into the bone at opposite ends thereof and are caused to move along the bone until the magnets are brought into collinear alignment wherein the associated rods provide reduction of the fracture. An audio sensing system assists in aligning the magnets by producing a sound which varies in relation to the proximity of the magnets. The reducing rod devices are ultimately removed and replaced by a conventional intramedullary rod.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system is provided for assisting in positioning a fastening element at a desired concealed internal location such as in a preformed opening in an interlocking nail in a long bone of a limb of a patient who has suffered a bone fracture. The arrangement includes: a first permanent ("target") magnet positioned at the internal location and a positioning device for a second permanent ("targeting") magnet. The positioning device comprises a hand-held drill and a magnetic aiming device mounted on the drill. The aiming device including a pivot member including the second magnet is disposed at one end thereof and having an axial bore. A mount for the pivot member permits three degrees of movement of the pivot member so as to enable the second magnet to align with the first magnet. The positioning device also includes a guide pin which is insertable into the axial bore and which is engaged by the drill chuck of the drill when the magnets are aligned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for rapidly and precisely positioning locking screws or pins into corresponding screw holes in a orthopedic aid such as an intramedullary interlocking rod implanted in a long bone of the limb of a patient, so as to lock the rod in place in the bone. A first magnet is positioned at the location of a screw hole in the rod and an aiming device, comprising a second magnet pivotably mounted so as to be able to be brought in alignment with the first magnet, is used to locate the first magnet and hence enable a screw or pin to be guided into place through the bone into the screw hole in the rod to lock the rod in position. In one embodiment, an elongate insertion member which carries the first magnet at the distal end thereof is used to position the first magnet at the level of the hole in the rod while in a second embodiment, a solid rod is used and the magnet is removably disposed within the hole in the rod prior to implantation of the rod.