Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A modular intramedullary nail, comprising: a) a proximal nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore; b) a distal nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore; c) a central nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore and having proximal and distal end portions that are respectively connected during use to the proximal and distal nail components, said central nail section bore being of a generally uniform diameter along a majority of its length; d) connecting means for securing the proximal and distal nail components to the proximal and distal end portions of the central nail component, the connection means including corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of adjoining nail components that can be fitted together and secured with force; and e) the connecting means including self orienting means on the proximal add distal nail components adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions for resisting relative rotational movement between the components; f) a cannulated fastener extending through a portion of the bore of the proximal and distal nail components, and through the entire length of the bore of the central nail component, the fastener having a proximal end portion with means thereon for gripping the proximal nail component, a distal end portion with external threads thereon, and an open ended longitudinal bore; and g) the proximal end of the bore of the distal nail component having an internally threaded bore section that can threadably engage the external threads of the cannulated fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A modular intramedullary nail, comprising: a) a proximal nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore; b) a distal nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore; c) a central nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore and having proximal and distal end portions that are respectively connected during use to the proximal and distal nail components, said central nail section bore being of a generally uniform diameter along a majority of its length; d) connecting means for securing the proximal and distal nail components to the proximal and distal end portions of the central nail component, the connection means including corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of adjoining nail components that can be fitted together and secured with force; and e) the connecting means including self orienting means on the proximal add distal nail components adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions for resisting relative rotational movement between the components; f) a cannulated fastener extending through a portion of the bore of the proximal and distal nail components, and through the entire length of the bore of the central nail component, the fastener having a proximal end portion with means thereon for gripping the proximal nail component, a distal end portion with external threads thereon, and an open ended longitudinal bore; and g) the proximal end of the bore of the distal nail component having an internally threaded bore section that can threadably engage the external threads of the cannulated fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component has a wall thickness of between about 1.0 and 2.0 millimeters along a majority of its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self-orienting means includes corresponding tooled flat surfaces on adjacent and connecting conical socket and conical projecting portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the proximal nail component has a partially internally threaded bore section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the conical socket and conical projecting end portions are generally frustro-conical in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein said central nail component has an annular external collar at one end portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self-orienting means includes at least one set of cooperating shaped flat surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular nail of claim 7, wherein said at least one set of shaped flat surfaces is formed on each conical projecting portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the proximal nail component has at least one transverse opening therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the distal nail component has at least one transverse opening therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self orienting means includes a shaped at one end portion projection on the male connector section and shaped socket on the female connector section, the projection and socket being shaped to prevent relative rotational movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the distal nail component has a first and second end portion, the first end portion having a conical projecting end portion, and the second end portion is frustroconically shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is curved longitudinally.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is about twice as long as the proximal nail component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is at least twice as long as the proximal nail component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is about twice as long as the distal nail component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is at least twice as long as the distal nail component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the central nail component is between 125 and 300 mm in length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the assembled nail components have an overall length of between 200 and 500 mm.