Targeting system for a periprosthetic bone plate

Inventors

Louie, Stephen • Ritchey, Nicholas S. • Grusin, Nathaniel Kelley • Strachan, Sandy Todd • Ricci, William M.

Assignees

Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG • Smith and Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd • Smith and Nephew Inc

Abstract

A targeting system is disclosed. In use, the targeting system is configured to target (e.g., aim, locate, etc.) a fastener opening in a bone plate, more particularly, a variable angled fastener opening formed in a periphery of a periprosthetic bone plate. In one embodiment, the targeting system includes an alignment guide including a plurality of combo-slots for targeting a plurality of openings formed in the periprosthetic bone plate. In addition, the targeting system includes a plug configured to be positioned within the combo-slots formed in the alignment guide. In use, positioning the plug into the combo-slot formed in the alignment guide transforms the combo-slot into a substantially circular hole or opening with a predefined trajectory aligned with one of the variable angled openings formed in the periphery of the periprosthetic bone plate thereby defining a trajectory from the alignment guide to the variable angled opening.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a targeting system arranged and configured to target a variable angled opening in a periprosthetic bone plate to facilitate insertion of a bone fastener into the variable angled opening. The targeting system includes an alignment guide arranged and configured to couple to the periprosthetic bone plate, the alignment guide having a plurality of combo-slots formed therein, each combo-slot including an enlarged central portion and an elongated slot extending from the enlarged central portion.

A plug is selectively positionable within one of the plurality of combo-slots formed in the alignment guide. When the plug is positioned within the enlarged central portion, the plug defines an opening through the alignment guide and provides a defined trajectory to the variable angled opening formed in the periprosthetic bone plate, while preventing access to the enlarged central portion of the combo-slot and encompassing the elongated slot and a portion of the plug.

The disclosed plug structures include a distal end portion with a circular projection received within the enlarged central portion of the combo-slot, where the circular projection includes a notch arranged to correspond with a radius of the elongated slotted portion. Other plug coupling structures include a cantilever arm extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, where the flexible arm includes a distal end arranged to engage the enlarged central portion for coupling, and in some embodiments the flexible arm includes a laterally extending projection configured to mate with a keyway in the enlarged central portion.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00018, and clm-00021, each covering a targeting system that uses an alignment guide with combo-slots and a selectively positionable plug to define an opening having a defined trajectory to a variable angled opening in a periprosthetic bone plate. Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on the relationship between the plug position within the enlarged central portion, the geometry, and the defined trajectory to the variable angled opening.

Taken together, the independent claims define a targeting system that couples to a periprosthetic bone plate via an alignment guide with combo-slots, uses a selectively positionable plug positioned in an enlarged central portion to define an opening through the alignment guide with a defined trajectory to the variable angled opening, and specifies plug structure that can include a circular projection with a radius-corresponding notch that partially defines the opening or a cantilever arm that couples into the enlarged central portion.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found