Dr. Michael Levy, Orthopedic Surgeon01.08.19
An innovative new utility patent has been issued to Dr. Michael Levy (Cherry Hill, N.J.) for the creation of a technology that bridges the concept of treating the fracture and the rotator cuff. This patented implant combines a flexible humerus nail with an external tab to aid rotator cuff repairs. Before Dr. Levy became an orthopedic surgeon, he was a design engineer for Howmedica (a division of Pfizer). This patent design work allowed him to get back into implant design, and integrate his surgical experience.
Prior to advances in bone and soft tissue anchors, implants, and arthroscopy, rotator cuff surgery was primarily performed via open incisions and cumbersome suture techniques. Operative treatment for the proximal humerus has run the gamut from pinning, plating, and nailing, to forward and reverse arthroplasty. Nails for the proximal metaphysis of the humerus have undergone a wide spectrum of design ideas including semi-rigid and flexible nails with and without cross locking. Little has been done to combine cuff repairs and fracture fixation.
Past treatment of both injuries involved a flexible nail that accepted sutures to hold down the cuff and cover the humeral head. This is commonly known as the parachute technique, employing two Enders flexible nails in the proximal humerus. The inspiration for the new patented nail with a tab was to simplify the cumbersome suturing required for cuff repairs, and incorporate an updated, more versatile nail with better fixation options.
The current nail design comes in three lengths: 240 mm, 260 mm, and 280 mm. The nail is designed with three staggered proximal holes angled for humeral head cross locking screw fixation. The proximal portion of the nail is 9 mm, while it tapers distally to 4 mm for ease of implantation. The flexible nail can be driven into the distal humerus, negating the need for difficult and dangerous distal cross locking. A locking dovetail holds the tab in position on the lateral footprint of the rotator cuff tear. Sutures pass through holes in the tab for ease of use.
This utility patent can be incorporated into a system and sold on the open orthopedic market. All interested parties should contact Dr. Michael Levy.
Dr. Michael S. Levy is originally from Columbus, Ohio. He earned both his Bachelors and his Masters degrees from The University of Toledo, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Levy was employed by Howmedica (A Division of Pfizer) as a senior product development engineer, which included the Alta Trauma System and the Dall-Miles Cable System. Dr. Levy was awarded his first patent for a high tibia osteotomy system-cutting guide while at Howmedica. Dr. Levy earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. He has thirteen years of experience in orthopedic surgery, with special interests in trauma fracture fixation and total joint arthroplasty. He is currently a partner at Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Specialists in Haddonfield, New Jersey. He can be reached at (856) 419-5363 or jemslevy@comcast.net.
A significant number of proximal humeral fractures occur with soft tissue injuries of the rotator cuff. Historically, fractures were treated separate from cuff tears with two procedures. Each procedure required different techniques and individual instruments. Prior to advances in bone and soft tissue anchors, implants, and arthroscopy, rotator cuff surgery was primarily performed via open incisions and cumbersome suture techniques. Operative treatment for the proximal humerus has run the gamut from pinning, plating, and nailing, to forward and reverse arthroplasty. Nails for the proximal metaphysis of the humerus have undergone a wide spectrum of design ideas including semi-rigid and flexible nails with and without cross locking. Little has been done to combine cuff repairs and fracture fixation.
Past treatment of both injuries involved a flexible nail that accepted sutures to hold down the cuff and cover the humeral head. This is commonly known as the parachute technique, employing two Enders flexible nails in the proximal humerus. The inspiration for the new patented nail with a tab was to simplify the cumbersome suturing required for cuff repairs, and incorporate an updated, more versatile nail with better fixation options.
The current nail design comes in three lengths: 240 mm, 260 mm, and 280 mm. The nail is designed with three staggered proximal holes angled for humeral head cross locking screw fixation. The proximal portion of the nail is 9 mm, while it tapers distally to 4 mm for ease of implantation. The flexible nail can be driven into the distal humerus, negating the need for difficult and dangerous distal cross locking. A locking dovetail holds the tab in position on the lateral footprint of the rotator cuff tear. Sutures pass through holes in the tab for ease of use.
This utility patent can be incorporated into a system and sold on the open orthopedic market. All interested parties should contact Dr. Michael Levy.
Dr. Michael S. Levy is originally from Columbus, Ohio. He earned both his Bachelors and his Masters degrees from The University of Toledo, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Levy was employed by Howmedica (A Division of Pfizer) as a senior product development engineer, which included the Alta Trauma System and the Dall-Miles Cable System. Dr. Levy was awarded his first patent for a high tibia osteotomy system-cutting guide while at Howmedica. Dr. Levy earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. He has thirteen years of experience in orthopedic surgery, with special interests in trauma fracture fixation and total joint arthroplasty. He is currently a partner at Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Specialists in Haddonfield, New Jersey. He can be reached at (856) 419-5363 or jemslevy@comcast.net.