Translational scissor plate fixation system

• US 20060217723A1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Suh, Sean S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8004 with means for distracting or compressing the bone or bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8023 Variable length plates adjustable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/7073 with intervertebral connecting element crossing an imaginary spinal median surface

Abstract

An apparatus for use with bone fasteners comprises a first fixation device having a slot configured to receive a bone fastener, and a second fixation device having another slot configured to receive another bone fastener. The first and second fixation devices are interconnected for rotation relative to each other when the bone fasteners are in the slots. Summarized differently, an apparatus for use with bone fasteners comprises a first fixation device having a first pair of openings defining bone fastener locations, and a second fixation device having a second pair of openings defining bone fastener locations. The first and second fixation devices are interconnected for movement relative to each other such that the bone fastener locations defined by the first and second pairs of openings are located at four corners of a rectangular array.

Claims

1. A fixation assembly comprising:

a first fixation device having a first opening configured to receive a first bone fastener, and a second opening configured to receive a second bone fastener; and

a second fixation device having a third opening configured to receive a third bone fastener, and a fourth opening configured to receive a fourth bone fastener;

wherein the first and third openings form a first pair of openings and the second and fourth openings form a second pair of openings;

the fixation devices arranged so that when first and third bone fasteners are at least partially inserted through the first pair of openings and into a first bone segment, and second and fourth bone fasteners are at least partially inserted through the second pair of openings and into a second bone segment, the first and second bone fixation devices are able to rotate relative to each other.

2. The assembly of claim 1, the first fixation device having a first substantially circular portion having a first midpoint, the second fixation device having a second substantially circular portion having a second midpoint;

and wherein the first and second midpoints generally align when the first and second fixation devices are engaged.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first midpoint and the first and second openings are generally collinear, and the second midpoint and the third and fourth openings are generally collinear.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first fixation device further comprises first and second extensions projecting radially from the first midpoint, and the second fixation device further comprises third and fourth extensions projecting radially from the second midpoint.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first opening is located at the first extension, the second opening is located at the second extension, the third opening is located at the third extension, and the fourth opening is located at the fourth extension.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one bone fastener is allowed to translate within an opening in situ.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second bone segments are adjacent vertebrae.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the movement of either the first or second bone segments relative to one another causes the attached bone fasteners to translate within their respective openings.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the movement of either the first or second bone segments relative to one another causes the first and second fixation devices to rotate relative to each other.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fixation device has an upper and lower surface, and the second fixation device has an upper and lower surface, and wherein the lower surface of the first fixation device is configured to slidably engage the upper surface of the second fixation device.

11. The assembly of claim 10, the upper surface of the second fixation device further comprising a groove, wherein at least a portion of the lower surface of the first fixation device is configured to engage at least a portion of the groove.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hub for connecting the first and second fixation devices.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one opening is a slot.

14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third fixation device and a fourth fixation device.

15. A fixation assembly comprising:

a first and second pair of openings arranged in a generally rectangular array, wherein each opening is configured to receive a bone fastener;

a first distance extending between the first pair of openings, and a second distance extending between the second pair of openings,

wherein the translation of bone fasteners within the openings alters at least one of the first and second distances.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second pairs of openings are slots.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the slots are centered on axes that extend between diagonally opposite corners of the rectangular array.

18. A fixation assembly comprising:

a first fixation device having a first pair of openings defining bone fastener locations; and

a second fixation device having a second pair of openings defining bone fastener locations;

the first and second fixation devices being interconnected for movement relative to each other such that the bone fastener locations defined by the first and second pairs of openings are located at four corners of a rectangular array, and the bone fastener locations at opposite ends of the rectangular array are movable relatively toward each other lengthwise of rectangular array while remaining uniformly spaced apart from each other across the rectangular array.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second bone fixation devices are interconnected for rotation relative to each other.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second pairs of openings are slots.