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Abstract

An apparatus for the fixation of a bone and a method for locking an intramedullary nail. The bone has a medullary canal for use with an intramedullary nail that has been inserted into the medullary canal, the intramedullary nail having a longitudinal axis and distal and proximal ends and apertures in the ends. It essentially comprises a first member in the form of a sliding tubular member, a compression assembly, a guide member and an alignment fixture. The first member is in the form of an elongated first element having first and second ends, a central aperture, and a longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail. The first end engages the bone adjacent the proximate end of the intramedullary nail. The compression assembly bears against the second end of the first element and applies compressive force to the bone through the first element. The guide member is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the intramedullary nail; it has a proximal end and a proximal aperture. The alignment fixture is connected to the guide member and the first element and aligns the guide member with respect to the intramedullary nail to position the axis of the proximal aperture in the guide member along axis of the proximal aperture in the intramedullary nail.

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First Claim