Wrist surgery devices and techniques

• US 20030105461A1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Putnam, Matthew D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,755,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1782 for the hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• 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 17/8061 specially adapted for particular bones A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/809 with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/906 Small bone plate

Abstract

A fixation plate kit for fixation of a distal radius facture includes a fixation plate and a member. The fixation plate includes an elongated plate having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion includes a first surface, a second surface extending from and forming an angle with the first surface, and at least one first opening in the first surface. The proximal portion has a length and a width and is generally curved across its width over its length. The member is configured to be mounted in the first opening, extend from the first opening, and be inserted into a radius. The member may be integrally mounted in the first opening or may be an articulating member that extends from the distal portion over multiple angles and orientations.

Claims

1. A fixation plate kit for fixation of a distal radius facture, the kit comprising:

a fixation plate comprising an elongated plate having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a first surface, a second surface extending from and forming an angle with the first surface, and at least one tine extending from the first surface, the proximal portion having a length and a width and being generally curved across its width along its length and including at least one opening configured to receive a tensioning device; and

a matching tensioning device configured to pass through the opening in the proximal portion, through a channel in a radius, and to be tightenable to fix the proximal portion to the radius.

2. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising a screw configured to be inserted into bone tissue, wherein the distal portion of the fixation plate includes a second opening configured to receive the screw.

3. The fixation plate kit of claim 2 wherein the second opening includes a radiused circumference and the screw includes a curved gimbal head configured to articulate against the radiused circumference.

4. The fixation plate kit of claim 2 wherein the screw is a bicortical screw.

5. The fixation plate kit of claim 2 wherein the screw is a unicortical screw.

6. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 wherein the tensioning device comprises a shaft having an interlocking interface, a head, and a moveable lock configured to move in one direction along the shaft towards the head.

7. The fixation plate kit of claim 6 wherein the head has a curved surface configured to articulate in a curved surface of the opening in the proximal portion.

8. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 wherein the tensioning device comprises a molly bolt.

9. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising a drill bit configured to drill a hole in bone tissue.

10. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising a guide for drilling holes in bone to place the tine, the guide comprising at least one drill guide and at least one tine cover, wherein the drill guide is configured to receive, orient, and offset a drill bit in the same orientation as the tine when the tine is inserted into the tine cover.

11. The fixation plate kit of claim 10 wherein the drill guide includes at least one opening and an insert configured to be received in the opening.

12. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising written instructions for use.

13. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising an instructional video.

14. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising a tensiometer mounted to the tine and configured to measure a tension in the tine.

15. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 further comprising a monitor, wherein the tensiometer transmits a signal indicative of strain in the tine and the monitor is configured to receive the signal.

16. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 wherein the fixation plate includes a therapeutic agent.

17. The fixation plate kit of claim 16 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises one or both of a bone growth regulating protein and a platelet derived growth factor.

18. The fixation plate kit of claim 1 wherein the kit further comprises one or both of a screw driver and an allen wrench.

19. The fixation plate of claim 1 wherein the elongated plate is configured to be fixed to the dorsal surface of the distal radius.

20. A fixation plate kit for fixation of a distal radius facture, the kit comprising:

a fixation plate comprising an elongated plate having;

a distal portion including a first surface, a second surface extending from and forming an angle with the first surface, and at least one first opening in the first surface, and

a proximal portion having a length and a width and being generally curved across its width over its length; and

an articulating member configured to be mounted in the first opening, articulated relative to the first opening to extend from the distal portion over multiple angles and orientations, and inserted into a radius.

21. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 wherein the first opening includes an outwardly extending rounded surface and the articulating member includes a head having a concave articulating portion configured to articulate against the rounded surface.

22. The fixation plate kit of claim 21 wherein the articulating portion has an elongated shape.

23. The fixation plate kit of claim 21 wherein the articulating portion has a hemispherical shape.

24. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising a screw configured to be inserted into bone tissue, wherein the distal portion of the fixation plate includes a second opening configured to receive the screw.

25. The fixation plate kit of claim 24 wherein the second opening includes a radiused circumference and the screw includes a curved gimbal head configured to articulate against the radiused circumference.

26. The fixation plate kit of claim 24 wherein the screw is a bicortical screw.

27. The fixation plate kit of claim 24 wherein the screw is a unicortical screw.

28. The fixation plate kit of claim 25 further comprising a tensioning device configured to pass through an opening in the proximal portion, through a channel in a radius, and to be tightenable to fix the proximal portion to the radius.

29. The fixation plate kit of claim 28 wherein the tensioning device comprises a shaft having an interlocking interface, a head, and a moveable lock configured to move in one direction along the shaft towards the head.

30. The fixation plate kit of claim 29 wherein the head has a curved surface configured to articulate in a curved surface of the opening in the proximal portion.

31. The fixation plate kit of claim 28 wherein the tensioning device comprises a molly bolt.

32. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising a drill bit configured to drill a hole in bone tissue.

33. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising a guide for drilling holes in bone to place the articulating member.

34. The fixation plate kit of claim 33 wherein the guide includes at least one opening and an insert configured to be received in the opening.

35. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising written instructions for use.

36. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising an instructional video.

37. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising a tensiometer mounted to the articulating member and configured to measure a tension in the articulating member.

38. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 further comprising a monitor, wherein the tensiometer transmits a signal indicative of strain in the articulating member and the monitor is configured to receive the signal.

39. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 wherein the fixation plate includes a therapeutic agent.

40. The fixation plate kit of claim 39 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises one or both of a bone growth regulating protein and a platelet derived growth factor.

41. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 wherein the kit further comprises one or both of a screw driver and an allen wrench.

42. The fixation plate kit of claim 20 wherein the elongated plate is configured to be fixed to the dorsal surface of the distal radius.

43. A fixation plate kit for fixation of a distal radius facture, the kit comprising:

a fixation plate comprising an elongated plate having;

a distal portion including a first surface, a second surface extending from and forming an angle with the first surface, and at least one first opening in the first surface, and

a proximal portion having a length and a width and being generally curved across its width over its length; and

a member configured to be mounted in the first opening, extend from the first opening, and be inserted into a radius.

44. The fixation plate kit of claim 43 wherein the member is integrally mounted in the first opening.

45. The fixation plate kit of claim 43 wherein the member is an articulating member configured to extend from the distal portion over multiple angles and orientations.