Method and apparatus for a compressing plate
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9883897-B2
Publication Date
2018-02-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
An orthopedic bone plate constructed from shape memory material provides the ability to move from an open shape to a compressed shape and create compression on two bones or bone fragments to encourage healing. The plate may be any umber of shapes, with two or more screws anchoring the plate to bone. The plate is affixed to bone in a sequence of steps that involve first placing the plate on an insertion tool, attaching drill guide tubes, placing the plate over bone, drilling holes in bone, and then attaching the plate to the bone via screws. The insertion tool can then be removed at the surgeon's convenience allowing compression on the two bones.
Core Innovation
The patent describes a shape-memory orthopedic compressing plate that is movable between an insertion shape and an implantation shape so that the plate creates compression between a first bone and a second bone. The plate includes a body portion having a central axis, a first body section extending to a first end portion, and a second body section extending to a second end portion, with screw holes disposed in the first and second body sections for affixing the plate to the bones.
An insertion tool is adapted to hold the plate in the insertion shape and to allow locating of the plate in the insertion shape for affixing with the first bone and the second bone. The insertion tool comprises a platform adapted to mate with the body portion and the first and second body sections of the plate, and the platform includes a first slot and a second slot aligned with the screw holes.
The insertion tool further comprises first, second, third, and fourth drill guide tubes each including an inner cannulation adapted to receive a locating pin or a drill bit, with the drill guide tubes inserted within the slots so that the platform holds the plate in the insertion shape. After the plate is affixed with the first bone and the second bone, release of the plate from the insertion tool allows the plate to move from its insertion shape to its implantation shape and compress the first bone with the second bone, thereby supporting inter-bone compression to assist osteosynthesis.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims covering a movable plate, an insertion tool that holds the plate in an insertion shape, and methods using guided drilling and staged screw placement, including sequential use of first and second fixation systems.
Movable plate creates inter-bone compression between implantation and insertion shapes
A plate movable between an implantation shape and an insertion shape such that the plate creates compression between a first bone and a second bone.
Insertion tool holds plate in insertion shape then release enables implantation-shape compression
An insertion tool adapted to hold the plate in the insertion shape, allowing locating of the plate in the insertion shape for affixing with the first bone and the second bone, and release of the plate from the insertion tool after affixation allows the plate to move from its insertion shape to its implantation shape, thereby compressing the first bone with the second bone.
Platform with slots aligns with screw holes and holds plate in insertion shape
An insertion tool comprising a platform adapted to mate with the body portion and the first and second body sections of the plate, wherein the platform includes a first slot that aligns with the first and second screw holes of the plate and a second slot that aligns with the third and fourth screw holes of the plate.
Drill guide tubes with inner cannulation through insertion tool to locate pin or drill bit
The insertion tool comprises first, second, third, and fourth drill guide tubes each including an inner cannulation adapted to receive a locating pin or a drill bit, wherein the first and second drill guide tubes insert within the first slot and mate respectively with the first and second screw holes and wherein the third and fourth drill guide tubes insert within the second slot and mate respectively with the third and fourth screw holes such that the platform holds the plate in the insertion shape.
Method using fixation system held in insertion shape with locating pins, guided drilling, and staged screw securing
Providing a fixation system with a plate movable between an implantation shape and an insertion shape, an insertion tool adapted to hold the plate in the insertion shape, and first, second, third, and fourth drill guide tubes insertable through the insertion tool and securable to the plate; placing the fixation system onto the first and second bones; inserting locating pins through selected drill guide tubes into respective bones to retain the fixation system; inserting drill bits through selected drill guide tubes to drill holes into the bones; inserting screws through the insertion tool and securing screws with the plate and respective bones; removing drill guide tubes and locating pins; decoupling the insertion tool from the plate; securing further screws; and moving the plate from the insertion shape to the implantation shape to compress the first bone and the second bone.
Method using first and second fixation systems then decoupling insertion tools for implantation-shape compression
Providing a first fixation system and a second fixation system, each comprising a plate movable between an implantation shape and an insertion shape, an insertion tool adapted to hold the plate in the insertion shape, and first, second, third, and fourth drill guide tubes insertable through the insertion tool and securable to the plate such that the insertion tool holds the plate in the insertion shape; placing the first fixation system onto the first and second bones and repeating locating-pin insertion, guided drilling, and screw securing; placing the second fixation system onto the first and second bones and repeating locating-pin insertion, guided drilling, and screw securing; decoupling the insertion tool of the first fixation system from the plate and the insertion tool of the second fixation system from the plate; and moving the plates from the insertion shape to the implantation shape to thereby compress the first bone and the second bone.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive aspects are the use of a plate movable between an insertion shape and an implantation shape to create compression, an insertion tool that holds the plate in the insertion shape and is later decoupled to allow transformation, and an arrangement of a platform with slots together with drill guide tubes and locating pins or drill bits that supports staged affixation before the final implantation-shape compression.
Stated Advantages
Compresses the first bone with the second bone by moving the plate from the insertion shape to the implantation shape after affixation.
Documented Applications
Affixing a first bone with a second bone in an osteosynthesis context to generate inter-bone compression.
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