Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A marrow nail assembly comprising an integrally formed nail having a proximal section, a distal section of reduced diameter relative to said proximal section, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse slot having a cross section elongated in the direction of said axis, in combination with a cylindrical casing fitted over the proximal section of the nail only, said casing having a length not greater than said proximal section, a cylindrical wall and a single pair of openings in said wall on opposite sides of said casing, each of said openings being elongated in configuration in the direction of said axis and being located to form, with the transverse slot in the nail, a transverse channel through the casing and nail for receiving bone fixation devices, wherein a line through the centers of the openings in the casing forms an angle of from 30° to 150°, other than 90°, with the longitudinal axis of the nail when the casing is fitted over the proximal section of the nail, the position of said openings relative to said slot being such as to secure relative axial fixation of said casing and nail by a bone fixation device seated in said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A marrow nail assembly comprising an integrally formed nail having a proximal section, a distal section of reduced diameter relative to said proximal section, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse slot having a cross section elongated in the direction of said axis, in combination with a cylindrical casing fitted over the proximal section of the nail only, said casing having a length not greater than said proximal section, a cylindrical wall and a single pair of openings in said wall on opposite sides of said casing, each of said openings being elongated in configuration in the direction of said axis and being located to form, with the transverse slot in the nail, a transverse channel through the casing and nail for receiving bone fixation devices, wherein a line through the centers of the openings in the casing forms an angle of from 30° to 150°, other than 90°, with the longitudinal axis of the nail when the casing is fitted over the proximal section of the nail, the position of said openings relative to said slot being such as to secure relative axial fixation of said casing and nail by a bone fixation device seated in said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the casing is closed at its proximal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the openings in the casing are so positioned that when a bone fixation device is inserted into the transverse channel, axial displacement of the casing with respect to the nail is at most 20% of the total length of the slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 3 wherein the axial displacement is at most 10% of the total length of the slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 4 wherein the axial displacement is at most 5% of the total length of the slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 5 wherein the axial displacement is at most 2% of the total length of the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cylindrical casing at its proximal end has a cylindrical borehole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the marrow nail at its proximal end has a central socket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The marrow nail assembly claimed in claim 8 wherein the socket is threaded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein marrow nail and casing are configured to be able to be turned against each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the openings are in the form of slots to admit a bone blade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the marrow nail at its proximal end has a groove transverse to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The marrow nail assembly according to claim 12 wherein the casing at its proximal end has a groove that corresponds with the groove of the marrow nail.