Systems and methods for using polyaxial plates

• US 10,292,741 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2018
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Austin, Gene Edward, Harmon, Jon A., Petteys, Timothy J., Russell, Thomas A., Tornetta, Paul, Ricci, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US15/970,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20180250045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/74 Devices for the head or neck or trochanter of the femur trochanteric devices connected to the proximal part of an endoprosthetic femoral shaft A61F2/30739; endoprosthetic internal fixation devices for the head or neck of the femur A61F2/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8033 having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8052 immobilised relative to screws by interlocking form of the heads and plate holes, e.g. conical or threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8057 the interlocking form comprising a thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8061 specially adapted for particular bones A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8605 Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.

Claims

1. An implant comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface;

an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, the aperture including an inner surface and a central axis; and

a plurality of inwardly protruding fins defining a non-threaded opening for cooperating with a head portion of a bone fastener, each of the plurality of fins extending from the inner surface of the aperture towards the central axis of the aperture to a terminal end portion of the fin;

wherein each of the plurality of fins includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the first and second side surfaces having an inwardly tapered surface so that a distance between the first and second side surfaces adjacent to the inner surface is greater than a distance between the first and second side surfaces at the terminal end portion.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fins has an equal length as measured from the inner surface of the aperture to the terminal end portion of the fin.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the terminal end portion of each of the plurality of fins resides an equal distance from the central axis of the aperture.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins are each integrally connected to, and protruding from, the inner surface of the aperture.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins are provided as a series of concavely indented, inwardly protruding fins.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins are deflectable relative to a head portion of a fastener so that when the fastener is inserted into the aperture, the fastener is retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the aperture.

7. The implant of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fins are deflectable so that the fins are interposed between threads formed on the head portion of the fastener.

8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins are adapted and configured to deform in order to retain the head portion of the fastener.