NEW LOWER EXTREMITY PRODUCTS
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R/AFN Arm for Proximal Aiming Device The retrograde/antegrade femoral nail (R/AFN) is a cannulated intramedullary nailing system for the treatment of distal femur and/ or diaphyseal fractures of the femur in which a retrograde approach is indicated. The R/AFN also enables fixation of fractures of the femoral shaft with an antegrade approach through the piriformis fossa. A proximal aiming device (PAD) enables surgeons to lock the nail distally and proximally completely without fluorescent x-ray. After determination of the nail length the surgeon must calibrate the proximal aiming device to the proposed nail. The proximal guide part leads to the correct location and orientation of the locking holes of the nail. For drilling and screw placement, the proximal guide is used in the same way as a normal aiming arm. Compared to the free-hand technique, the PAD offers a simple and effective solution for proximal locking of short nails. For the short R/AFN (160–200 mm), a new proximal aiming arm enables distal and proximal locking. It consists of a long aiming arm which is mounted onto the R/AFN insertion handle. The arm features drill holes for the proximal interlocking. It also accepts two inserts for distal interlocking, one for distal standard locking and one for distal spiral blade locking. An aiming sleeve 12.0/8.0 mm with crosshairs, length 188 mm is used to check if the nail locking holes are still in line with the aiming arm holes.
R/AFN Guiding and Calibration Unit The calibration unit and the guiding unit allow for proximal interlocking with short R/AFN (160–200 mm length) using the proximal aiming device (PAD). Compared to the distal femur nail (DFN) the distance between the calibration pins is smaller since the R/AFN proximal interlocking holes are closer together. The guiding unit is mounted onto the arm of the PAD and used in combination with the calibration unit for proximal locking of the short R/AFN.