Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[1] The present disclosure relates to medical devices for treatment of bone fractures. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to an expandable intramedullary nail.
BACKGROUND
[2] Connective bone structures connecting two bone structures are delicate in nature and may fracture more easily than other bone structures. For example, the femoral neck serves as the link between the femoral shaft and the femoral head, making it particularly susceptible to fractures. Traditionally, these fractures are repaired using a conventional intramedullary nail. However, such conventional intramedullary nail can loosen over time, risking the safety of the user. Additionally, the blood supply to the femoral head traverses the femoral neck, making it crucial to consider during fracture repair, especially in cases of displaced fractures. This is particularly important for younger patients who may experience rapid growth, as misaligned conventional intramedullary nail implantation can lead to future bone deformities due to uneven bone growth.
[3] Moreover, the conventional intramedullary nail can damage surrounding tissues and blood vessels during surgery owing to large incisions made at a surgical site during implantation, therefore leading to slower recovery times and increased discomfort for the patient.
[4] Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[5] The present disclosure provides an expandable intramedullary nail. The present disclosure provides a solution to the technical problem of inefficient fracture repair in delicate bone structures such as femoral neck, with minimum risk while providing adequate locking with the bone thereby reducing a risk of post-surgery detachment of implant (i.e., expandable intramedullary nail). An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in the prior art and provides an improved intramedullary nail for better fracture repair with efficient locomotive stress distribution.
[6] One or more objectives of the present disclosure is achieved by the solutions provided in the enclosed independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the present disclosure are further defined in the dependent claims.
[7] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an expandable intramedullary nail comprising: a housing comprising a first end comprising a first thread, a second end, opposite to the first end, comprising a second thread, a first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface extending from at least partially a middle section of the housing between the first end and the second end, wherein the at least one tapered surface has at least one protrusion on at least one tapered end towards an internal volume of the housing, a second side part implemented as at least one expandable fin arranged adjacent to the first side part, and wherein the at least one expandable fin is perpendicular to the second end at a resting configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and angular to the second end at an implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and at least one sliding slot arranged on an inner surface of the housing; a front head comprising a third thread adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail into a bone of a user, and a fourth thread adapted to engage the front head with the first thread of the housing; a sliding element adapted to slide, by coupling with a sliding arrangement, into at least one sliding slot to contact the at least one tapered surface, and create a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface and the at least one expandable fin to achieve the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail; and an occluder having a fifth thread adapted to fit into the second thread of the housing to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail.
[8] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an expandable intramedullary nail comprising: a housing comprising a first end comprising a first thread adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail into a bone of a user, and a second end, opposite to the first end, comprising a second thread, a first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface extending from at least partially a middle section of the housing between the first end and the second end, a second side part implemented as at least one expandable fin arranged adjacent to the first side part, and wherein the at least one expandable fin is: perpendicular to the second end at a resting configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and angular to the second end at an implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail; and a sliding element comprising a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, adapted to slide into the housing to contact the at least one tapered surface from the third end, and create a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface and the at least one expandable fin to achieve the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and wherein the fourth end comprises a third thread adapted to couple with the second thread of the housing to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail.
[9] The expandable intramedullary nail of the present disclosure is adapted to be implanted in a femoral fracture site from femoral head, thereby providing optimal operative location to implant the expandable intramedullary nail to repair the fracture. Notably, the expandable intramedullary nail as disclosed herein, is adapted to provide additional support for fracture repair while optimally distributing stress throughout the implant. Moreover, beneficially, the disclosed expandable intramedullary nail, is optimally designed to reduce surgical time for implantation. Furthermore, expandable intramedullary nail is less invasive thus reduces risk during surgery and speed of post-surgery recovery. The design of the expandable intramedullary nail having at least one expandable fin provides a large contact area with the bone, which enhances stability of the implant.
[10] It is to be appreciated that all the aforementioned implementation forms can be combined. All steps that are performed by the various entities described in the present application, as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities, are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities. It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[11] Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative implementations construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[12] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific systems, methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
[13] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of an expandable intramedullary nail in a resting configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of an exploded cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a housing of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of an enlarged view of at least protrusion and at least one tapered end of at least one tapered surface of the housing of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a sliding element of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the sliding element of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A in an implanted configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of an expandable intramedullary nail in a resting configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an exploded cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6 in an implanted configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[14] In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[15] The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
[16] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of an expandable intramedullary nail 100 in a resting configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a schematic illustration of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 and various components thereof. In this regard, throughout the present disclosure, the resting configuration pertains to a state of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 prior to implantation and during partial implantation. The term partial implantation pertains to a state of the expandable intramedullary nail 100, when at least an element of the expandable intramedullary nail has been implanted into the bone, but not every element has been assembled within a fracture site. It may be appreciated that the expandable intramedullary nail 100 refers 100 to an arrangement or a fixation device used in orthopedic surgery to act as a connective to stabilize fractures in bone, specifically narrow neck like bone structures for example, femoral neck. An implantation of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is performed through small incisions, minimizing soft tissue damage, and reducing infection risk the fractured bone thereby providing technical effect of elimination of chances of any damage to blood vessel, damage to nerves, post-surgical infections, malalignment, malunion, medical conditions such as fat embolism, pain and discomfort to a user. It may be appreciated that the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is used to fix or joint or support partially or fully fractured bone structures of the user. The term "user" refers to a person, a patient, an individual, an animal, who is experiencing a medical condition that causes at least partial locomotive impairment due to fracture in bone specifically femoral neck which is a delicate bone structure between a femoral shaft and a femoral head. The medical condition may be at least one of: osteoporosis, avascular necrosis, trauma or accidental falls, osteomalacia, paget's disease, stress fractures, long-term use of corticosteroids, renal osteodystrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta, post-operative or post-prosthetic complications, deformities, cartilage damage, severely broken bone structures due to accidents, and so on. It may be appreciated that the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is adapted to be positioned between the femoral shaft and the femoral head of the user during implantation. As shown, the expandable intramedullary nail 100 comprises a housing 102, a front head 104, a sliding element 106, and an occluder 108.
[17] As shown, the expandable intramedullary nail 100 further comprises a sliding arrangement 110 which engages with the sliding element 106 to allow the sliding element 106 to slide into the housing 102. In this regard, the sliding arrangement 110 comprises a third end 112 and a fourth end 114 opposite to third end 112. Optionally, the sliding arrangement 110 comprises a seventh thread 116 arranged on the third end 112 and a hex 118 arranged on the fourth end 114. In this regard, the third end 112 is adapted to engage with the sliding element 106 and the hex 118 is adapted to engage with a driving means which is external to the expandable intramedullary nail 100. The driving means may be a screwdriver, a ratchet and socket set, hex key, torque wrench, nut driver, adjustable pliers and any such suitable driving means. The driving means drives the sliding arrangement 110 through the housing 102 to couple the sliding arrangement 110 with the sliding element 106.
[18] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of an exploded cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1B, the cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is illustrated along axis A-A' (shown in FIG. 1A). As shown, the housing 102 comprises a first end 120 comprising a first thread 122 and a second end 124, opposite to the first end 120, comprising a second thread 126. Optionally, the first end 120 is coupled to the front head 104 and the second end 124 is coupled to the occluder 108. Optionally the first thread 122 and the second thread 126 are either internal threads or external threads. Preferably, the first thread 122 and the second thread 126 are internal threads. Moreover, the housing 102 comprises at least one sliding slot 136.
[19] As shown, the front head 104 is a solid tapered tip-like or conical structure having a third thread 130 arranged on a conical end adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 into the bone of the user. The front end 104 comprises a fourth thread 132 adapted to engage the front head 104 with the first thread 122 of the housing 102 thereby attaching the housing 102 with the front head 104 during assembly. The front head 104 is designed in tapered or conical manner to facilitate easier insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 into the bone while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technical effect is tapered, or conical shape of the front end allows the expandable intramedullary nail 100 to sit more securely when implanted and distribute stresses on the femoral neck during locomotion evenly, which can improve the stability of a fracture fixation and reduce the risk of complications like stress risers or implant loosening.
[20] As shown, the sliding element 106 comprises an internal thread namely, a sixth thread 138 to couple with an external thread namely, the seventh thread 116 of the sliding arrangement 110 to pull the sliding element 106 into at least one sliding slot 136 of the housing 102 during assembly. In this regard, the driving means is used to drive the sliding arrangement 110 through the second end 124 of the housing 102 to couple the seventh thread 116 of the sliding arrangement 110 with the sixth thread 138 of the sliding element 106.
[21] Moreover, as shown in the FIG. 1B, the occluder 108 comprises a fifth thread 134 that couples with the second thread 126 of the housing 102. Optionally, the occluder 108 is adapted to seal or close off the second end 124 of the housing 102 after implantation to prevent fluid or debris from entering hollow space therewithin.
[22] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a housing 102 of the expandable intramedullary of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 2A is described in conjunction with the elements depicted in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. As shown, the housing 102 of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is a hollow chamber having an external surface 202 in contact with the bone and an internal volume 204 whereinto the sliding element 106 is pulled by using the sliding arrangement 110. Optionally, the housing 102 is a hollow cylindrical, pipe or tube-like structure. Notably, the external surface 202 is defined by an outer diameter of the housing 102 and the internal volume 204 refers to a space defined by an inner diameter of the housing 102. The housing 102 comprises the first end 120 for coupling with the front head 102 and the second end 124 for coupling the occluder 108 during assembly of the expandable intramedullary nail 100. Notably, the first end 120 and the second end 124 are opposite to each other. Additionally, the housing 102 comprises a first side part arranged in the internal volume 204. In this regard, the first side part is implemented as at least one tapered surface 206 which extends from at least partially a middle section of the housing 102. It may be appreciated that the middle section refers to a section of the housing 102 which lies between the first end 120 and the second end 124. For example, the middle section may be arranged in a manner that a distance of the middle section from first end 120 is equal to a distance of the middle section from second end 124. In another example, the distance of the middle section from first end 120 and the distance of the middle section from second end 124 may be in a ratio of 3:4. The middle section is arranged based on length of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 and a site of implantation. The technical effect is that such arrangement allows the expandable intramedullary nail 100 to be used in different bone structures depending on physiological condition of the user. Notably, the first side part is implemented as the at least one tapered surface 206 within the internal volume 204, which may extend from exact middle section or a suitable middle section between the first end 120 and the second end 124. The at least one tapered surface 206 comprises at least one protrusion 208 on at least one tapered end 210. It may be appreciated that the at least one protrusion 208 extends towards the internal volume 204 of the housing 102. As shown, the housing comprises a second side part arranged adjacent to the first side part. The second side part is implemented as at least one expandable fin 212. The as at least one expandable fin 212 refers to a flexible wing-like arrangement which is adapted to expand when the sliding element 106 is pulled into the housing 102. As shown, in the resting configuration of expandable intramedullary nail 100, the at least one expandable fin 212 is arranged perpendicular to the second end 124. Referring to the FIG. 2A, the housing 102 also comprises the at least one sliding slot 136 arranged within the internal volume. The at least one sliding slot 136 is adapted as a groove space cut into an inner surface of the housing 102. Notably, the inner surface is opposite to the external surface 202 of the housing and defines a peripheral boundary of the internal volume 204. Notably, the at least one sliding slot 136 is adapted to secure the sliding element 106 and provides a guide or path for the sliding element 106 to slide into the housing 102.
[23] Referring to FIG. 2B, illustrated is a schematic illustration of an enlarged view of at least protrusion 208 and at least one tapered end 210 of at least one tapered surface 206 of the housing 102 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 2B is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B and 2A. Optionally, preferably, the at least protrusion 208 is monolithically arranged on at least one tapered end 210 of the at least one tapered surface 206.
[24] FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the housing 102 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 2C is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. In this regard, the perspective view of the housing 102 shows the external surface 202 of the housing 102 defined by the outer diameter, the inner surface and the internal volume 204 defined by the inner diameter, the at least one tapered surface 206 and the at least one sliding slot 136 positioned with respect to a center 214. It may be appreciated that the at least one tapered surface 206 is arranged along an axis Y-Y' and the at least one sliding slot 136 is arranged on an axis X-X'. Notably the axis Y-Y' and axis X-X' are perpendicular to each other.
[25] Referring to FIG. 3A, illustrated is a schematic illustration of a sliding element 106 of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 3A is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C. As shown, the sliding element 106 comprises at least one peg 302. It may be appreciated that the at least one peg 302 is arranged on an outer surface 304 of the sliding element 106 and is adapted to slide into the at least one sliding slot 136 of the housing 102. Notably, the at least one peg 302 is adapted for securing sliding element 106 in the at least one sliding slot 136. As shown, the sliding element 106 also comprises at least one depression 306 on its outer surface 304. The at least depression 306 is adapted to engage with the at least one protrusion 208 on the at least one tapered surface 206. When the sliding element 106 slides into the housing 102 through the at least one sliding slot 136 and contacts the at least one tapered surface 206 then as a result of the contact a pushing force develops which pushes the at least one tapered surface 206 and consequently the at least one expandable fin 212 in an outward direction. Notably, the at least one protrusion 208 and the at least depression 306 are fitted together as snap-and fit arrangement, in order to lock the sliding element 106 to the at least one tapered surface 206 so as to keep the at least one expandable fin 212 in an expanded form.
[26] FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the sliding element 106 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 3B is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C and 3A. The sliding element 106 comprises the sixth thread 138 internally which is adapted to be coupled with the sliding arrangement 110 during assembly of the expandable intramedullary nail 100. The sliding arrangement 110 is rotationally moved to in either clockwise or anticlockwise manner to form a threaded connection with the sliding element 106. In other words, the sixth thread 138 of the sliding element 106 forms the threaded connection with the seventh thread 116 of the sliding arrangement 110. Optionally, during assembly of the expandable intramedullary nail 100, the sliding element 106 coupled to the sliding arrangement 110 is pulled into the housing 102, then the front head 104 is coupled to the housing 102 forming a partially assembled expandable intramedullary nail 100.
[27] Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 of FIG. 1A in an implanted configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 4 is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A and 3B. The implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 pertains to arrangement of elements of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 in a final form after the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is implanted in the bone supporting the fracture site in the bone, specifically in femoral neck. In the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail 100, the sliding element 106 is fully inside the housing 102 forming a lock with the at least one protrusion 208 and thereby pushing the at least one tapered surface 206 and the at least one expandable fin 212. When the sliding element 106 is pulled into the housing 102 guided through the at least one sliding slot 136, the sliding element 106 contacts the at least one tapered end 210 of the at least one tapered surface 206. In this regard, preferably, a diameter of the sliding element 106 is less than the inner diameter of the housing 102. Therefore, the sliding element 106 slides into the housing 102. Moreover, notably, a distance of the at least one tapered end 210 from a central axis B-B' passing through the center 214, is less than the diameter of the sliding element 106. Therefore, when the sliding element 106 contacts the of the at least one tapered end 210, then the sliding element 106 creates a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface 206 to push the at least one expandable fin 212 in an outward direction perpendicular to the central axis B-B'. Notably, in the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail 100, the at least one expandable fin 212 is arranged angular to the second end 124 of the housing 102. It may be appreciated that the angular arrangement of the at least one expandable fin 212 forms an angle with the external surface of the housing 102. Optionally, a range of such angle varies from 10 to 75 degrees, depending on the fracture site, stress on the bone, and physiological characteristics of the user. The technical advantage is secured implantation of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 eliminating risk of loosening of the expandable intramedullary nail 100 post-surgery. As shown in FIG. 4, the at least one protrusion 208 of the at least one tapered surface 206 snaps into the at least one depression 306 of the sliding element 106 (shown in expanded views) and thereby locks the sliding element 106 preventing any further movement (towards the first end 120 or towards the second end 124). When the sliding element 106 is locked then the at least one expanded fin 212 is expanded to form a maximum angle with respect to the second end 124, on the external surface 202 of the housing 102. For example, in an implementation, the at least one expanded fin 212 are expanded to form the maximum angle of 75 degrees with respect to the second end 124.
[28] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 5 is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B and 4. As shown the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is implanted in the femur bone to support a fracture in the femoral neck 502 in between the femoral head 504 and femoral shaft 506. In this regard, the expandable intramedullary nail 100 is adapted to be inserted into the bone (namely, the femoral neck 502) in a reverse manner from femoral head 504 towards the femoral shaft 506. Such arrangement allows a physician, a healthcare professional, an orthopedic specialist and so on to perform surgery in cases where the fracture site is easier to access from the femoral head 504, thereby providing diverse surgical planning for the best possible solution for the user. Optionally, such an arrangement of expandable intramedullary nail 100 is termed as a reverse expandable intramedullary nail.
[29] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of an expandable intramedullary nail 600 in a resting configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Notably, the expandable intramedullary nail 600 comprises a housing 602 and a sliding element 604. In this regard, the housing 602 is a hollow cylindrical structure having an external surface defined by an outer diameter and internal volume defined by an inner diameter. Notably, the sliding element 604 is adapted to slide into the housing 602. In this regard, a diameter of the sliding element 604 is less than the inner diameter of the housing 602. It may be appreciated that the sliding element 604 is pushed into the housing 602 using a driving means. The driving means external to the expandable intramedullary nail 600, may be a screwdriver, a ratchet and socket set, hex key, torque wrench, nut driver, adjustable pliers and any such suitable driving means.
[30] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an exploded cross-sectional view of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 7 is described in conjunction with elements described in FIG. 6. The exploded cross-sectional view is illustrated along an axis C-C'. As shown, the housing 602 comprises a first end 702 comprising a first thread 704. Notably, the first thread 704 is an external thread. The first end 702 is tapered and is adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail 600 into the bone of the user. The housing 602 also comprises a second end 706 opposite to the first end 702, comprising a second thread 708. Optionally, the second thread 708 is an internal thread. The sliding element 604 of the expandable intramedullary nail 600 comprises a third end 710 and a fourth end 712 opposite the third end 710. The sliding element 604 is adapted to slide into the housing 602 from the third end 710. The fourth end 712 comprises a hex 714 which is coupled to the driving means to apply necessary pushing force to allow the sliding element 604 to slide into the housing 602. The fourth end 712 also comprises a third thread 716. Optionally, the third thread 716 is an external thread. Notably, in resting configuration, the housing 602 and the sliding element 604 are retained separately. As shown, the housing 602 comprises a first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface 718 extending from at least partially a middle section of the housing between the first end 702 and the second end 706. The housing 602 also comprises a second side part implemented as at least one expandable fin 720 arranged adjacent to the first side part. Notably, in resting configuration, the at least one expandable fin 720 is arranged perpendicular to the second end 706 of the housing 602. In this regard, when sliding element 604 slides into the housing 602, the third end 710 of the sliding element 604 is adapted to contact the first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface 718. Optionally, the third end 710 has a tapered surface providing technical effect of ease of sliding and fit with the at least one tapered surface 718.
[31] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6 in an implanted configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The implanted configuration refers to arrangement of the elements of the expandable intramedullary nail 600 when the expandable intramedullary nail 600 is implanted into the bone of the user in order to support the fracture site (namely, a femoral neck). In implanted configuration, the sliding element 604 is pushed further into the housing 602 (from the third end 710, using the driving means at the fourth end 712), thereby creating a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface 718 and the at least one expandable fin 720 to expand the at least one expandable fin 720. Notably, in implanted configuration, the at least one expandable fin 720 is arranged angular to the second end 706 of the housing 602. It may be appreciated that the angular arrangement ranges from 105 to 170 degrees with respect to an external surface of the housing 602, as observed from the second end 706. In implanted configuration, the fourth end 712 comprising the third thread 716 adapted to couple with the second thread 708 of the housing 602 to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail 600.
[32] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of the expandable intramedullary nail of FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be appreciated that FIG. 9 is described in conjunction with elements described in FIGs. 6, 7 and 8. As shown the expandable intramedullary nail 600 is implanted in the femur bone to support the fracture in the femoral neck 902 in between the femoral head 904 and femoral shaft 906. In this regard, the expandable intramedullary nail 600 is adapted to be inserted into the bone namely, femoral neck 902 from femoral shaft 906 towards the femoral head 904. Such arrangement allows a physician, a healthcare professional, an orthopedic specialist and so on to perform surgery in cases where the fracture site is easier to access from the femoral shaft 906 with minimal incision, thereby reducing post-surgical risk.
[33] Optionally, at least one part of the expandable intramedullary nail 100, 600 may be manufactured using metals such as titanium, cobalt, chromium, alloys of metals, and so on. Optionally, a technology of manufacturing may be 3-D printing, powder metallurgy, injection moulding, casting and forging, laser cutting and welding, and so on.
[34] Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments. The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments". It is appreciated that certain features of the present disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the present disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An expandable intramedullary nail (100) comprising:
a housing (102) comprising
a first end (120) comprising a first thread (122),
a second end (124), opposite to the first end, comprising a second thread (126),
a first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface (206) extending from at least partially a middle section of the housing between the first end and the second end, wherein the at least one tapered surface has at least one protrusion (208) on at least one tapered end (210) towards an internal volume (204) of the housing,
a second side part implemented as at least one expandable fin (212) arranged adjacent to the first side part, and wherein the at least one expandable fin is:
perpendicular to the second end at a resting configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and
angular to the second end at an implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and
at least one sliding slot (136) arranged on an inner surface of the housing;
a front head (104) comprising
a third thread (130) adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail into a bone of a user, and
a fourth thread (132) adapted to engage the front head with the first thread of the housing;
a sliding element (106) adapted to slide, by coupling with a sliding arrangement (110), into at least one sliding slot (136) to contact the at least one tapered surface (206), and create a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface and the at least one expandable fin (212) to achieve the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail (100); and
an occluder (108) having a fifth thread (134) adapted to fit into the second thread (126) of the housing to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail.
2. The expandable intramedullary nail (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding element (106) comprises at least one peg (302) adapted to slide into the at least one sliding slot (136) of the housing (102).
3. The expandable intramedullary nail (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding element (106) comprises at least one depression (306), and wherein the at least depression is adapted to engage with the at least one protrusion (208) on the at least one tapered surface (206) to lock the sliding element to the at least one tapered surface.
4. The expandable intramedullary nail (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding arrangement (110) comprises a third end (112) and a fourth end (114) opposite to third end, and wherein
the third end comprises a seventh thread (116) adapted to be coupled with a sixth thread of the sliding element (106), and
the fourth end comprises a hex (118), wherein the hex is adapted to engage with a driving means that drives the sliding arrangement through the second end (124) of the housing (102) to couple the seventh thread of the sliding arrangement with the sixth thread (138) of the sliding element (106).
5. An expandable intramedullary nail (600) comprising:
a housing (602) comprising
a first end (702) comprising a first thread (704) adapted for insertion of the expandable intramedullary nail into a bone of a user, and
a second end (706), opposite to the first end, comprising a second thread (708),
a first side part implemented as at least one tapered surface (718) extending from at least partially a middle section of the housing between the first end and the second end,
a second side part implemented as at least one expandable fin (720) arranged adjacent to the first side part, and wherein the at least one expandable fin is:
perpendicular to the second end (706) at a resting configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and
angular to the second end (706) at an implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail; and
a sliding element (604), comprising a third end (710) and a fourth end (712) opposite the third end, adapted to slide into the housing to contact the at least one tapered surface (718) from the third end, and create a pushing effect at the at least one tapered surface (718) and the at least one expandable fin (720) to achieve the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail, and wherein the fourth end comprises a third thread adapted to couple with the second thread of the housing to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail.
6. The expandable intramedullary nail (600) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third end (710) has a tapered surface.
7. The expandable intramedullary nail (600) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fourth end (712) of the sliding element (604) comprises a hex (714), wherein the hex is adapted to engage with a driving means that drives the sliding element through the second end (706) of the housing (602) to seal the implanted configuration of the expandable intramedullary nail.