Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 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; d) distal and proximal connections respectively on the proximal and distal nail components for securing to the proximal and distal end portions of the central nail component, the proximal and distal connections and the proximal and distal end portions including corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of the respective nail components that can be fitted together and secured with force; e) the proximal and distal connections including self orienting interlocking portions on the proximal and distal nail components adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions for resisting relative rotational movement between the components upon assembly; f) a cannulated fastener extending through at least 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 respective proximal and distal end portions for gripping the proximal and distal nail components, and an open ended longitudinal bore; and g) the proximal end of the bore of the distal nail component and the distal end of the bore of the proximal nail component each having fastener receptive portions that removably connect to the cannulated fastener distal and proximal end portions, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 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; d) distal and proximal connections respectively on the proximal and distal nail components for securing to the proximal and distal end portions of the central nail component, the proximal and distal connections and the proximal and distal end portions including corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of the respective nail components that can be fitted together and secured with force; e) the proximal and distal connections including self orienting interlocking portions on the proximal and distal nail components adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions for resisting relative rotational movement between the components upon assembly; f) a cannulated fastener extending through at least 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 respective proximal and distal end portions for gripping the proximal and distal nail components, and an open ended longitudinal bore; and g) the proximal end of the bore of the distal nail component and the distal end of the bore of the proximal nail component each having fastener receptive portions that removably connect to the cannulated fastener distal and proximal end portions, respectively.
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 3.0 millimeters along a majority of its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self-orienting interlocking portions include 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
21 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self-orienting interlocking portions include 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
41 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the self orienting interlocking portions include a shaped projection on the male connector section and shaped socket on the female connector section, the projection and socket each being shaped to prevent relative rotational movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modular nail of claim 1, wherein the distal nail component 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 1000 mm.