Active tension bone and joint stabilization methods
Inventors
Stecco, Kathryn A. • Becking, Frank P.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11045236-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods of use for bone and joint stabilization devices are described in which the devices are tensioned after anchoring during a medical procedure and remain active in maintaining axial tension for continued compression of the subject anatomy.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for treating an orthopedic injury that includes a spring member and proximal and distal anchors configured to anchor the spring member in an operable configuration. The spring member comprises a titanium alloy having an elongate stretchable structure with a longitudinal length and two lateral outer extents, and a plurality of beams arranged in pairs such that each pair includes a first beam and a second beam connected only at the two lateral outer extents to oppose one another and form apertures between the beams.
The plurality of beams is arranged so that each pair of beams is connected to an adjacent pair of beams by only a medial connector, such that gaps are present at the two lateral outer extents between each pair of beams and the adjacent pair of beams. Proximal and distal anchors anchor separate positions of the spring member to form a linear assembly of the longitudinal length of the spring member body and the proximal and distal anchors. At least one of the proximal and distal anchors is an anchoring head having a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening therebetween into which the spring member is received.
The anchoring head includes a tooth received in one of the spring member apertures. The disclosed orthopedic stabilization system maintains active axial tension and provides continuous compression for fracture healing and joint stabilization. The spring member is described as an elongate beam spring member that is tensioned after anchoring, and the system maintains the tension to support continuous compression within orthopedic repair and stabilization contexts.
The disclosed concepts include orthopedic bone and joint stabilization systems with minimally invasive implantation using ratcheting interface anchor heads and/or a rotatable distal foot. Documented structural concepts include tooth engagement with spring apertures, an option for a low-profile profile/rotation feature for implantation through small drill holes, and removal facilitation using a cutting loop/strand or a pulling rod release. The disclosure additionally includes optional anti-ingrowth sheath or coating concepts in orthopedic repair contexts and multiple orthopedic indications.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim directed to the orthopedic device architecture, with multiple dependent claims refining material behavior, beam/aperture geometry, anchor head/tooth features, and a quantitative force range.
A titanium alloy beam spring member with paired beams forming apertures and lateral gaps
A spring member comprising a titanium alloy having an elongate stretchable structure with a longitudinal length and two lateral outer extents, the spring member comprising a plurality of beams arranged in pairs, wherein a first beam and a second beam of each pair are connected to each other only at the two lateral outer extents such that the first beam opposes the second beam to form apertures between the beams, and wherein each pair of beams is connected to an adjacent pair of beams by only a medial connector such that gaps are present at the two lateral outer extents between each pair of beams and the adjacent pair of beams.
Proximal and distal anchors forming a linear assembly and receiving the spring member
A proximal anchor and a distal anchor to anchor separate from one another in an operable configuration to anchor the spring member, the proximal anchor and distal anchor to anchor a position of the spring member forming a linear assembly of the longitudinal length of the spring member body and the proximal and distal anchors.
An anchoring head with an opening receiving the spring member and a tooth received in spring apertures
Wherein at least one of the proximal and distal anchors is an anchoring head that has a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening therebetween into which the spring member is received within the anchoring head body of the anchoring head, and the anchoring head includes a tooth received in one of the spring member apertures.
Coverage centers on an orthopedic device comprising a titanium alloy elongate beam spring member with paired beams that create apertures and lateral gaps, a proximal anchor and distal anchor forming a linear assembly to anchor the spring member, and an anchoring head having an opening that receives the spring member and includes a tooth received in a spring member aperture. Dependent claim refinements include a quantitative force range and optional material behavior and additional structural relationships between anchor head features and the spring apertures.
Stated Advantages
Provides continuous compression for fracture healing and joint stabilization.
Maintains active axial tension after anchoring by tensioning after anchoring and maintaining tension.
Documented Applications
Fifth metatarsal fracture (Jones fracture).
Lisfranc injury.
Calcaneal osteotomy.
Proximal tibio-fibular joint injury.
Tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.
Acromioclavicular injury.
Clavicle fracture.
Fibula fracture with plate-spanning approach.
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