Orthopedic systems

• US 20070162018A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jensen, David, Huebner, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/326
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1655 for tapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8057 the interlocking form comprising a thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8863 Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel

Abstract

Orthopedic systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits. In some embodiments, these systems may be used for selectively tapping apertures of bone plates, to form threaded apertures during installation of the bone plates (i.e., intraoperatively).

Claims

1. A method of tapping a bone plate intraoperatively, comprising:

creating a thread in an aperture of a bone plate using a tap device while the bone plate is connected to a bone; and

placing a fastener in threaded engagement with the thread of the aperture and into the bone after the step of creating and with the tap device removed from the aperture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tap device includes a tap portion and a shaft portion extending proximally from the tap portion, wherein the step of creating includes a step of engaging the bone plate with the tap portion to create the thread, and wherein most or all of the shaft portion remains outward of the bone plate during the step of engaging.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating includes a step of turning the tap device by hand.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating includes a step of cutting the bone plate adjacent the aperture.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of securing the bone plate to the bone with at least one bone screw before the step of creating.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tap device has a tap portion for creating a thread and a tip portion extending distally from the tap portion, further comprising (1) a step of forming a hole in the bone, in alignment with the aperture, and (2) a step of placing the tip portion into the hole in the bone such that the tap portion is guided to the aperture.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of selecting a tap device in which the tip portion is substantially smaller in diameter than the aperture.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of selecting a tap device in which most or all of the tip portion is devoid of thread structure.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating includes a step of creating a thread in the bone.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting an angle for the step of creating using a guide device that extends from the bone plate to a generally opposing side of the bone.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of selecting an angle includes a step of placing the guide device such that the guide device extends partway around the bone from the bone plate to engage the bone at a position generally opposing the bone plate across the bone.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of selecting an angle includes a step of forming a hole in the bone guided by the guide device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising (1) a step of advancing the tap device along a hole in the bone, and (2) a step of widening the hole at a position adjacent the aperture, at least partially during the step of creating, to form a counterbore in the bone.

14. A kit for tapping a bone plate intraoperatively, comprising:

a bone plate having an aperture;

a tap device configured to create a thread in the aperture while the bone plate is connected to bone; and

a bone fastener configured to be received in the aperture, in threaded engagement with the thread, after removal of the tap device from the aperture.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein tap device includes a tap portion and a shaft portion extending proximally from the tap portion, and wherein the tap portion is configured to engage the bone plate with the bone plate connected to bone, to create a thread in the aperture while the shaft portion is disposed mostly or completely outward of the bone plate.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the bone screw defines a long axis and includes a threaded head region having a length measured parallel to the long axis, and wherein the length is substantially greater than the thickness of the bone plate.

17. The kit of claim 14, wherein the tap device includes a tap portion configured to create the thread in the aperture of the bone plate and a tip portion extending distally from the tap portion and configured to follow a hole in the bone to guide the tap portion to the aperture, and wherein most or all of the tip portion is devoid of thread structure.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the tip portion has a diameter that is substantially less than the diameter of the aperture.

19. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a guide device for selection of an angle at which the tap device enters bone and engages the bone plate, the guide device being structured to extend partway around the bone from the bone plate for engagement with an opposing side of the bone and defining a channel for guiding a drill through the aperture and into the bone.

20. A system for tapping a bone plate intraoperatively, comprising:

a bone plate having an aperture;

a tap device configured to create a thread in the aperture while the bone plate is connected to the bone; and

a suction mechanism configured to aspirate debris produced by creating the thread.