Bone fixation system with opposed mounting portions
Inventors
Bernstein, Oren S. • Gillard, Joel • Thorsell, Eric • Russi, Sara • Loucks, Kyle A. • Seykora, Andrew W.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12285197-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for bone fixation using a fixation device including a mounting portion and a fastener that attaches to the mounting portion. In some embodiments, the fixation device may include first and second mounting portions configured to be disposed across a bone from each other and secured with a fastener that extends from one of the mounting portions, through the bone, and to the other mounting portion. The system also may include a tool to facilitate installation of the fixation device.
Core Innovation
The document describes an improved system for bone fixation that includes an installation tool and a fixation construct using an elongated plate and a mounting plate. The system uses an elongated plate comprising one or more first apertures and a mounting plate separate from the elongated plate comprising one or more second apertures. The installation tool includes a frame member with a distal jaw and a carriage with a proximal jaw that are slidably coupled to form an empty space between the jaws, where relative movement adjusts a distance between the distal jaw and the proximal jaw.
In the installation tool, the proximal jaw is configured to engage the elongated plate, and the distal jaw is configured to engage the mounting plate. The document further states that the distal jaw is configured to engage the mounting plate at the same time the proximal jaw engages the elongated plate. The elongated plate includes a linkage region including the one or more first apertures, and the proximal jaw is configured to engage with the linkage region of the elongated plate.
The distal jaw defines a receiver region configured to receive the mounting plate, and the distal jaw includes one or more retainers configured to hold the mounting plate within the receiver region. The retainers are configured to prevent the mounting plate from contacting bone until after the mounting plate is removed from the distal jaw, while maintaining alignment between the plate apertures and the mounting plate apertures along one or more fastener receiving axes.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00019). Across these claims, the main inventive features are centered on a jaw-based installation tool with sliding distance adjustment, simultaneous engagement of proximal and distal plates via respective jaws, aperture alignment for fastener receiving axes, and retainers that prevent premature mounting plate contact with bone.
Sliding jaw installation tool forming adjustable distance
An installation tool comprising a frame member including a distal jaw and a carriage including a proximal jaw slidably coupled to the frame member, where an empty space is formed between the distal jaw and the proximal jaw and relative movement between the carriage and the frame member adjusts a distance between the distal jaw and the proximal jaw.
Simultaneous engagement of elongated plate and mounting plate
An elongated plate comprising one or more first apertures, wherein the proximal jaw is configured to engage with the elongated plate, and a mounting plate separate from the elongated plate and comprising one or more second apertures, wherein the distal jaw is configured to engage with the mounting plate, wherein the distal jaw is configured to engage with the mounting plate at a same time the proximal jaw engages with the elongated plate.
Linkage region engagement and receiver region retention by distal jaw
The elongated plate comprises a linkage region including the one or more first apertures, wherein the proximal jaw is configured to engage with the linkage region of the elongated plate; the distal jaw defines a receiver region configured to receive the mounting plate; and the distal jaw comprises one or more retainers configured to hold the mounting plate within the receiver region.
Preventing mounting plate contact with bone until removal from distal jaw
The one or more retainers are configured to prevent the mounting plate from contacting bone until after the mounting plate is removed from the distal jaw.
Aperture alignment along fastener receiving axes
When a linkage region of an elongated plate is aligned with a mounting plate, the elongated plate’s first apertures align with the mounting plate’s second apertures on one or more fastener receiving axes.
Overall, the independent claims cover a bone-fixation system that integrates a sliding installation tool with adjustable jaw spacing, simultaneous proximal and distal jaw engagement of an elongated plate and a separate mounting plate, structured linkage and receiver regions for controlled positioning, aperture alignment along one or more fastener receiving axes, and retainers that prevent the mounting plate from contacting bone until after removal from the distal jaw.
Stated Advantages
Adaptable fit to varying rib sizes/shapes without requiring extensive clip sets or bone-thickness measurement.
Reduced fastener pull-out risk.
Efficient installation.
Documented Applications
Bone fixation using a spanning plate and opposed mounting portions secured with fasteners extending through bone apertures.
Use of an installation tool to position and hold a mounting plate within a distal-jaw receiver region while preventing premature mounting plate contact with bone.
Interested in licensing this patent?