Thomas L Shuler

US Patent:

55626670, Oct 8, 1996

Filed:

Apr 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/428059

Inventors:

Thomas E. Shuler - Pittsburgh PA
Robert A. Latour - Clemson SC

International Classification:

A61B 1772

US Classification:

606 64

Abstract:

A femoral intramedullary rod has a thin or reduced proximal segment so as to provide room for the use of femoral hip screws. Use of the rod for femoral shaft fixation permits subsequent independent treatment of an ipsilateral femoral hip fracture as an isolated injury, regardless of whether initially detected. Different rod embodiments are formed by the omission of different proximal portions of the rod. It is in such portions that the femoral screws may be placed to set hip fractures. The rod is cannulated for installation over a guide wire. Internal rod threads, below the thin proximal segment in some embodiments, are used for initial installation of the rod with a driving member screwed into such threads. Without driving forces on the thin proximal segment, such segment can be made even thinner. Once the rod is seated, hip screws may be installed if there is a detected hip fracture.

US Patent:

54296404, Jul 4, 1995

Filed:

Nov 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/982291

Inventors:

Thomas E. Shuler - Pittsburgh PA
Robert A. Latour - Clemson SC

Assignee:

Clemson University - Clemson SC
Greenville Hospital System - Greenville SC

International Classification:

A61F 504

US Classification:

606 64

Abstract:

A femoral intramedullary rod has a thin or reduced proximal segment so as to provide room for the use of femoral hip screws. Use of the rod for femoral shaft fixation permits subsequent independent treatment of an ipsilateral femoral hip fracture as an isolated injury, regardless of whether initially detected. Different rod embodiments are formed by the omission of different proximal portions of the rod. It is in such portions that the femoral screws may be placed to set hip fractures. The rod is cannulated for installation over a guide wire. Internal rod threads, below the thin proximal segment in some embodiments, are used for initial installation of the rod with a driving member screwed into such threads. Without driving forces on the thin proximal segment, such segment can be made even thinner. Once the rod is seated, hip screws may be installed if there is a detected hip fracture.