System and method for bone fixation

Inventors

Weiner, Lon S. • Katchis, Stuart D. • Pepper, John R. • Schlotterback, Ryan • DENHAM, Greg

Assignees

Medartis AG

Abstract

A system for fixating a bone includes a buckle having a plurality of lock bars and a hook. A cord may connect the hook with an opposite end of the buckle and around a bone. The buckle may include lock bars on the opposite end of the buckle to receive the cord and allow a frictional resistance to a loosening of the cord around the bone to facilitate a reduction of a fracture of the bone.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a fracture fixation system that uses a connector to connect a cord configured to extend around a bone and provide fixation to a fracture of the bone. The connector has a proximal end that comprises a plurality of lock bars bounding slots for engaging the cord to tighten the cord to provide fracture fixation, and a distal connecting end opposite the proximal end for attaching to a second end of the cord, where the distal connecting end comprises a hook or loop.

The system further comprises a tensioner that is engaged with slots on opposite longitudinal sides of the connector to hold the connector while a user provides tension to the cord to fixate the fracture. The slots on opposite longitudinal sides of the connector are aligned longitudinally relative to the connector and are configured to engage arms of the tensioner.

The lock-bar slot arrangement provides frictional resistance that resists cord loosening and helps maintain fracture reduction. Exemplary configurations describe a buckle or connector with multiple lock bars and a distal hook or alternative pronged hook, where a cord or strap passes around the bone and is routed under or along a lock-bar path to create frictional resistance.

The tensioning system is described as a handle-rod tensioning mechanism with longitudinal slots on the buckle receiving tensioner arms, and a handle-rod arrangement that draws the cord to achieve and retain a target tightness via friction at the lock-bar path. Integration examples include using multiple buckles on a plate, substituting buckles or hooks at plate ends, and using a screw-fastenable washer with integrated lock bars, including variants where lock bars are integrated into other fracture hardware.

Claims Coverage

The partial claim set includes one independent claim. It specifies a fracture fixation system with a multi-lock-bar connector, a distal hook or loop end, and a tensioner engaged with aligned slots on opposite longitudinal sides of the connector to allow a user to tension the cord while the connector is held.

Across the independent claim, the inventive coverage centers on a connector with multiple lock bars bounding slots that engage and tighten a cord for fracture fixation, a distal hook or loop connecting end, and a tensioner that is engaged with aligned slots on opposite connector sides to hold the connector while the user applies tension to the cord.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications