Anatomical distal radius fracture fixation plate with fixed-angle K-wire holes defining a three-dimensional surface

• US 20050065524A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Orbay, Jorge L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,635,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/291
• 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 17/8095 Wedge osteotomy devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/565 for surgical correction of axial deviation, e.g. hallux valgus or genu valgus

Abstract

A fixation plate includes a set of threaded peg holes adapted to individually receive fixation pegs therethrough and non-threaded alignment holes having a relatively smaller diameter than the peg holes and preferably sized to closely receive a K-wire. The alignment holes are located between the peg holes. One alignment hole is configured for aligning the plate during an osteotomy procedure, while other alignment holes are configured for use after fracture reduction and receive K-wires to temporarily stabilize the fracture and secure the plate to the bone and determine whether pegs inserted through adjacent respective peg holes will be properly located before drilling relatively larger holes for such pegs. The head of the plate has a shape and contour which provides bone support and a low profile which minimizes the potential for soft tissue irritation.

Claims

1. A fixation plate for use with a plurality of fixation pegs and K-wires, comprising:

a substantially rigid plate having a bone contacting surface and defining a first set of peg holes each structurally adapted to engage a fixation peg with a threaded head and retain the fixation pegs in a fixed angle relationship such that the fixation pegs are obliquely oriented in at least one dimension relative to each other, and a first plurality of non-threaded alignment holes substantially smaller in diameter than said first set of peg holes,

each of said alignment holes sized to closely receive a K-wire such that the K-wires will be in a fixed angle relationship relative to said plate, said alignment holes positioned in said plate and having predefined axial orientations such that when a plurality of the K-wires are inserted into said alignment holes, the K-wires approximate a three dimensional surface defined by fixation pegs inserted into said peg holes.

2. A fixation plate according to claim 1, wherein:

said alignment holes and alternately arranged with said peg holes.

3. A fixation plate according to claim 1, wherein:

said alignment holes are laterally displaced relative to said peg holes.

4. A fixation plate according to claim 1, wherein:

said each of said peg holes is threaded.

5. A fixation plate according to claim 1, wherein:

said first set of peg holes includes at least three peg holes.

6. A fixation plate according to claim 5, wherein:

said first set of peg holes are substantially linearly arranged.

7. A fixation plate according to claim 1, wherein:

said plate defines a second set of peg holes each structurally adapted to engage a fixation peg with a threaded head, said second set longitudinally displaced relative said first set.

8. A fixation plate according to claim 7, wherein:

said first set of peg holes includes at least four peg holes.

9. A fixation plate according to claim 7, wherein:

said plate includes a body portion and a head portion angled in a Z-direction relative to said body portion, wherein said first and second sets of a peg holes are in said head portion.

10. A fixation plate according to claim 9, wherein:

said head portion includes a distal buttress portion which tapers in thickness from an upper surface toward a bone contacting surface.

11. A fixation plate according to claim 10, wherein:

said buttress portion is provided distal of said first set of peg holes, and each of said peg holes of said second set is at least partially provided in said buttress portion.

12. A system for fracture fixation of the distal radius, comprising:

a) a plate having a body portion and a head portion angled relative to said body portion, said body portion defining at least one screw hole, and said head portion defining a plurality of peg holes each structurally adapted to engage a fixation peg with a threaded head and at least one substantially smaller non-threaded alignment hole;

b) a plurality of pegs each having a threaded head and a shaft, said pegs sized for insertion into said peg holes; and

c) at least one K-wire, wherein said alignment hole is sized to closely receive said K-wire, such that each K-wire is in substantially in a fixed angle relationship with an alignment hole in which it is received.

13. A fixation system according to claim 12, wherein:

said K-wire through an alignment hole toggles by no more than 5°

relative to said plate.

14. A fixation system according to claim 13, wherein:

said K-wire through an alignment hole toggles by no more than 3°

relative to said plate.

15. A fixation system according to claim 12, wherein:

a clearance of not more than 0.002 inch is provided between said K-wire and said alignment hole.

16. A fixation system according to claim 12, wherein:

a clearance of approximately 0.001 inch is provided between said K-wire and said alignment hole.