Systems and methods for using polyaxial plates
First Claim
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1. A method for securing a bone plate to a bone using polyaxial fixation, comprising:
- (a) inserting at least one fastener into an opening of a bone plate, the at least one fastener being at least partially threaded and having a head portion and a shaft portion and the bone plate comprising a lower surface, an upper surface and the opening extending from the lower surface to the upper surface, the opening adapted to receive the at least one fastener without being tapped by the at least one fastener, the opening having an inner surface with a plurality of non-circumferential fins integrally connected to each other, integrally connected to and protruding from, the inner surface, and allowing the fins to engage the threads of the at least one fastener;
(b) orienting the at least one fastener at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the opening such that at least a portion of each of the engaged fins is independently moved toward the upper surface or toward the lower surface; and
(c) securing the bone plate to bone with the at least one fastener.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a bone fixation assembly that can provide polyaxial fixation. The polyaxial fixation may be provided by fins that protrude from an opening in a bone plate or fins that protrude from a fastener head.
322 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for securing a bone plate to a bone using polyaxial fixation, comprising:
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(a) inserting at least one fastener into an opening of a bone plate, the at least one fastener being at least partially threaded and having a head portion and a shaft portion and the bone plate comprising a lower surface, an upper surface and the opening extending from the lower surface to the upper surface, the opening adapted to receive the at least one fastener without being tapped by the at least one fastener, the opening having an inner surface with a plurality of non-circumferential fins integrally connected to each other, integrally connected to and protruding from, the inner surface, and allowing the fins to engage the threads of the at least one fastener; (b) orienting the at least one fastener at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the opening such that at least a portion of each of the engaged fins is independently moved toward the upper surface or toward the lower surface; and (c) securing the bone plate to bone with the at least one fastener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for securing a bone plate to a bone using polyaxial fixation, comprising:
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(a) inserting a fastener into an opening of a bone plate with the fastener oriented at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the opening without tapping the bone plate, with threads of the fastener engaging a plurality of non-circumferential fins integrally connected to each other, integrally connected to and protruding from, an inner surface of the bone plate defining the opening, wherein the bone plate comprises a lower surface and an upper surface, and the opening extends from the lower surface to the upper surface, the fins each being independently movable toward the upper surface or toward the lower surface in response to engagement with the threads of the fastener; and (b) securing the bone plate to bone with the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification