Patent US5194871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5178621A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US5178621A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Two-piece radio-transparent proximal targeting device for a locking intramedullary nail

Assignee: Zimmer Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1991-12-10
•
Granted: 1993-01-12
•
Expires: 2011-12-10
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The targeting device of this invention includes a radio-transparent handle and a metal snap fit barrel. The radio-transparent handle reduces obstructions in the radio-graphic image to provide a clearer image to the surgeon for proper placement of the locking screws. The metal snap fit barrel is retained in the handle by an interference fit between the handle and biased keys carried by the barrel. After use, the barrel may be easily disassembled for cleaning by striking a removal tool against the keys to drive the barrel from the handle.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin S. Cook
  • 👤 Carl D. Ousley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1721; A61B17/1703; A61B17/1725; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 197 words
A targeting device for connection to the proximal end of an intramedullary nail for aligning a boring device with transverse bores of an intramedullary nail when the nail is seated within a intramedullary canal of a patient, said targeting device including a handle member and a guide barrel adapter for engagement with the proximal end of the intramedullary nail adjacent a central longitudinal bore of the intramedullary nail, said handle member including a plurality of openings therethrough constituting guide bores, the guide barrel being removably carried within a through bore of said handle member such that said guide barrel is substantially longitudinally aligned with the central bore of the intramedullary nail and contacts a proximal end of the intramedullary nail, said throughbore defining a shoulder on said handle, wherein said guide barrel includes a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end including at least two arms extending generally parallel relative to each other, each of said arms terminating in a outwardly extending lip, said arms being biased apart, said lips overlying said shoulder of said throughbore to removably connect the guide barrel to said handle for engagement with the proximal end of the intramedullary nail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 197 words
A targeting device for connection to the proximal end of an intramedullary nail for aligning a boring device with transverse bores of an intramedullary nail when the nail is seated within a intramedullary canal of a patient, said targeting device including a handle member and a guide barrel adapter for engagement with the proximal end of the intramedullary nail adjacent a central longitudinal bore of the intramedullary nail, said handle member including a plurality of openings therethrough constituting guide bores, the guide barrel being removably carried within a through bore of said handle member such that said guide barrel is substantially longitudinally aligned with the central bore of the intramedullary nail and contacts a proximal end of the intramedullary nail, said throughbore defining a shoulder on said handle, wherein said guide barrel includes a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end including at least two arms extending generally parallel relative to each other, each of said arms terminating in a outwardly extending lip, said arms being biased apart, said lips overlying said shoulder of said throughbore to removably connect the guide barrel to said handle for engagement with the proximal end of the intramedullary nail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The targeting device of claim 1 wherein said arms are shiftable into a converging orientation such that said lips are capable of passing through said one of said openings in said handle to permit insertion or removal of said guide barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The targeting device of claim 1 wherein each of said lips includes a beveled outer edge which constitutes caming surfaces to urge said arms into said converging orientation when force is exerted against said surfaces.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4570624A Cited
US4805607A Cited
US4911153A Cited
US4881535A Cited
US4978351A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-01-12 1996-07-13 1997-01-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-01-12 2000-07-13 2001-01-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-01-12 2004-07-13 2005-01-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag