FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical devices for use in repairing a weakened or fractured bone, and more particularly to internal bone fixation devices and methods of using these devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone.

BACKGROUND

Fracture repair is the process of rejoining and realigning the ends of broken bones. Fracture repair is required when there is a need for restoration of the normal position and function of the broken bone. Throughout the stages of fracture healing, the bones must be held firmly in the correct position and supported until it is strong enough to bear weight. In the event the fracture is not properly repaired, malalignment of the bone may occur, resulting in possible physical dysfunction of the bone or joint of that region of the body.

Until the last century, physicians relied on casts and splints to support the bone from outside the body (external fixation). However, the development of sterile surgery reduced the risk of infection so that doctors could work directly with the bone and could implant materials in the body. Currently there are several internal approaches to repair, strengthen and support a fractured bone. They include the use of internal fixation devices, such as wires, plates, rods, pins, nails, and screws to support the bone directly, and the addition of bone cement mixtures, or bone void fillers to a fractured bone.

The addition of bone cements to a fractured bone for repairing bone and, for example, joining bones are well known in the art. Conventional bone cement injection devices have difficulty adjusting or controlling the injection volume or injection rate of the bone cement in real time in reaction to cancellous bone volume and density conditions encountered inside the fractured bone. Conventional bone cements also may cause complications that include the leakage of the bone cement to an area outside of the fractured bone site, which can result in soft tissue damage as well as nerve root pain and compression.

Thus, there is a need in the art for internal bone fixation devices that repair, strengthen and support a fractured bone using minimally invasive techniques, with ease of use, and minimal damage to the bone and supporting tissues.

SUMMARY

Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an internal bone fixation device that includes a conformable member; and at least one reinforcing material contained within the conformable member, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is added to the conformable member.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a device for use in repairing a fractured bone that includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method for repairing a fractured bone that includes gaining access to an inner cavity of the fractured bone; providing a device for use in repairing the fractured bone, the device comprising a conformable member releasably engaging a delivery catheter, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material to the conformable member and an inner lumen for passage of a light source to the conformable member; positioning the conformable member spanning at least two bone segments of the fractured bone; inserting a light source into the inner lumen of the device; adding at least one reinforcing material to the inner void of the device; infusing the at least one reinforcing material through the inner void of the delivery catheter to the conformable member, wherein the conformable member moves from an initial deflated state to a final inflated state; activating the light source to harden the at least one reinforcing material in the inflated conformable member; and releasing the hardened conformable member from the delivery catheter.

