Bone fixation implants
First Claim
1. A bone implant with surface indicator, said implant comprising:
- a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
at least two fastener holes extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; and
said top surface having a recessed region that provides a tactile indicator for identifying the top surface of the implant.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is generally directed to an improved bone fixation implant that provides tactile indication of the top surface of the implant. In one embodiment, an implant comprises a top surface, a bottom bone-contacting surface, and recessed portion disposed in the top surface of the implant to provide a tactile indicator for readily identifying the top surface of the implant. In another embodiment, the top surface indicator may be in the form of an elongated top surface groove that is recessed below the top surface of the implant. The implant may further include at least two fastener holes for receiving fasteners therethrough to secure the implant to the bone. In preferred embodiments, the implant may be made of a resorbable or metallic materials. In another embodiment of the present invention, an implant may comprise transverse slots preferably disposed between at least some of the fastener holes.
136 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A bone implant with surface indicator, said implant comprising:
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a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
at least two fastener holes extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; and
said top surface having a recessed region that provides a tactile indicator for identifying the top surface of the implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A bone implant with surface indicator, said implant comprising:
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at least one generally elongate section having longitudinal axis, a top surface, and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
at least two fastener holes in said at least one elongate section and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; and
at least one elongate groove recessed in said top surface of said implant and extending partially between said top and bottom surfaces, said elongate groove extending at least partially between said at least two fastener holes whereby said elongate groove provides a tactile indicator for identifying said top surface of said implant. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A bone plate with surface indicator, said plate comprising:
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a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
at least two fastener holes disposed in said plate and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface;
at least one elongate groove recessed in said top surface of said plate and extending partially between said top and bottom surfaces, said elongate groove extending at least partially between said at least two fastener holes; and
at least one elongate slot disposed in said plate and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said elongate slot disposed between said at least two fastener holes and extending across the plate transverse to the elongate groove, said elongate transverse slot intersecting said elongate groove;
whereby said elongate groove provides a tactile indicator for identifying said top surface of said plate; and
whereby said elongate transverse slot induces said plate to bend between the fastener holes. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A bone plate with bending control, said implanting comprising:
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a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
at least two fastener holes disposed in said plate and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said two fastener holes defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; and
at least one elongate slot disposed in said plate and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said elongate slot disposed between said at least two fastener holes and extending transverse to said longitudinal axis;
whereby said elongate transverse slot induces said plate to bend between the fastener holes. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A method of contouring and attaching a resorbable implant with surface indicator to a bone comprising the steps of:
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providing a resorbable implant having a glass transition temperature (Tg) that is higher than average human body temperature, said implant comprising;
a) a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
b) at least two fastener holes extending from said top surface to said bottom surface;
c) a portion of said top surface being recessed and extending partially between said top and bottom surfaces, whereby said top surface recess provides a tactile indicator for identifying said top surface of said implant;
raising the temperature of said implant to above the glass transition temperature (Tg);
touching said surfaces of said plate to find said top surface recess thereby identifying said top surface;
deforming said plate to substantially conform to the anatomical shape of the bone with said top surface facing away from the bone;
applying said plate to the bone; and
attaching said plate to the bone. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A bone fixation kit comprising:
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at least a first bone implant comprising;
a) a top surface and a bottom bone-contacting surface;
b) at least two fastener holes extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; and
c) said top surface having a recessed region that provides a tactile indicator for identifying the top surface of the implant; and
a plurality of fasteners for attaching said implant to bone. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification