	US 12,102,359 B2
	Intramedullary fixation nail and method of use
Jorge L. Orbay, Miami, FL (US); and Raul Galindo, Miami, FL (US)
Assigned to SKELETAL DYNAMICS, INC., Miami, FL (US)
Filed by Skeletal Dynamics, Inc., Miami, FL (US)
Filed on May 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/804,433.
Application 17/804,433 is a continuation of application No. 17/076,661, filed on Oct. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,344,341.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/926,156, filed on Oct. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0287743 A1, Sep. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/72 (2006.01); A61B 17/17 (2006.01); A61B 17/92 (2006.01)

CPC A61B 17/72 (2013.01) [A61B 17/1717 (2013.01); A61B 17/1725 (2013.01); A61B 17/7291 (2013.01); A61B 17/921 (2013.01)]

11 Claims

1. A method for implanting an intramedullary nail in a bone having a medulla, the intramedullary nail comprising a shaft having leading and trailing ends, the leading end terminating in a cup, and the trailing end terminating in a feature adapted for attachment to a driving tool, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a guide wire having a tip, into a first end of the bone, through the medulla, and out of a second end of the bone;

attaching the feature at the trailing end of the intramedullary nail to a corresponding feature on the driving tool;

engaging the cup at the leading end of the intramedullary nail with the tip of the guide wire;

urging the shaft of the intramedullary nail into the second end of the bone, and simultaneously urging the guide wire out of the bone through the first end of the bone;

after the shaft of the intramedullary nail reaches a final position in the bone, removing the guide wire through the first end of the bone; and

disengaging the feature at the trailing end of the intramedullary nail from the corresponding feature on the driving tool.