Intramedullary nails are commonly used to fix fractures and breaks of long bones. In up to 60% of cases the nails are subsequently removed, as they may cause a risk of infection or further trauma.

 

 

The Innovation

Current systems for removing intramedullary nails include threading an extractor onto the end of the nail, but this will not remove all parts of a broken nail. Alternatively a fish-hook mechanism may be used. Both thesetechniques are difficult if bone tissue has grown into the nail, with the result that the extraction operation can take several hours.

An intramedullary nail extractor which uses the cam principle. The device is inserted inside the intramedullary nail. A control wire is then used to operate cams which protrude from the extractor, gripping the inside ofthe nail. A slap hammer is attached to the end of the extractor, and used to remove the nail. The harder the force used with the hammer, the tighter the grip of the extractor on the nail will be.

Key Advantages

• A universal extractor which can be used in any intramedullary nail
• Fast, simple method of action
• The extractor can be used to remove all parts of a broken nail
• It can quickly remove a nail even when there is bone ingrowth

 

The cam mechanism of the nail extractor enables it to grip any part of an intramedullary nail.

 Market Size

• The 2007 US market for intramedullary nails was $633.2 million, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The market is predicted to have increased to $1.12 billion by 2014
• Approximately 407,975 intramedullary nails were implanted in 2007 in the US. This is predicted to increase to 439,069 by 2014
• The European internal fixation market was $334.3million in 2000.The European internal fixation market was $334.3million in 2000
• In 2007, the worldwide market for orthopaedic trauma products was worth $4.3 billion

Contact

Health Enterprise East is seeking a commercial partner to develop this technology, which has patents pending in multiple territories. For more information contact Dr Kerstin Castle on: Tel: +44 (0)1480 364925 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it