Self-locking screws for medical implants

• US 20080177330A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: First Commercial Bank
• Original Assignee: First Commercial Bank
• Inventors: Ralph, James D., Troxell, Thomas N., Michels, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/585,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20080177330A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8038 the additional component being inserted in the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8047 wherein the additional element surrounds the screw head in the plate hole A61B17/8052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8695 Washers surrounding screw head in plate hole A61B17/8047, between bone plate and bone A61B17/8028
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

Self-locking surgical screw assemblies are described for fastening a medical implant to a bone. The invention also includes combinations of self-locking screws and implants, devices implanted with self-locking screws and related methods which insure the stable attachment of the implant to the bone. Each self-locking surgical screw assembly is comprised of a screw having a non-threaded head affixed to a shank, a threaded portion on the shank, a neck on the shank and a locking device externally affixed to or disposed on the head and/or neck. The locking device lockingly engages the head and/or neck of the screw when the screw is in fastening engagement with the medical implant and the bone.

Claims

1. A self-locking surgical screw assembly for fastening a medical implant to a bone comprising

a screw having a non-threaded head affixed to a shank,

a threaded portion on the shank,

a neck portion on the shank disposed between the head and the threaded portion, and

a locking device externally affixed to or disposed on the head and/or neck,

wherein the locking device is lockingly engaged with the head and/or neck of the screw when the screw is in fastening engagement with the medical implant and the bone.

2. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1 wherein the locking device is selected from the group consisting of a retaining ring, a compression collar, a plug, two or more than two plugs, a split ring, two or more than two split rings, a washer, a split washer, a tab, two or more than two tabs, a crushable collar and a multiple ridged neck.

3. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1 wherein the locking device is comprised of a bioabsorbable or resorbable material and the bioabsorbable or resorbable material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

4. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1 wherein the locking device is comprised of an organic material such as collagen and the organic material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

5. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1 wherein the screw is comprised of a bioabsorbable or resorbable material and the bioabsorbable or resorbable material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

6. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 5 wherein the locking device is comprised of an organic material such as collagen and the organic material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

7. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1 wherein the screw and/or the locking device is coated with a bioabsorbable or resorbable material and the bioabsorbable or resorbable material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

8. The self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 7 wherein the locking device is comprised of an organic material such as collagen and the organic material optionally further comprises one or more than one bioactive material.

15. A method of affixing a medical implant to a bone comprising fastening the medical implant to the bone with a self-locking surgical screw assembly of claim 1.

9. A medical implant device comprising

a self-locking surgical screw assembly for fastening a medical implant to a bone, the self-locking surgical screw assembly comprising

a screw having a non-threaded head affixed to a shank,

a threaded portion on the shank,

a neck portion on the shank disposed between the head and the threaded portion, and

a locking device externally affixed to or disposed on the head and/or neck,

and a medical implant comprising at least one untapped through hole to accommodate the self-locking screw assembly,

wherein the locking device is lockingly engaged with the head and/or neck of the screw when the screw is in fastening engagement with the medical implant and the bone.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the locking device is selected from the group consisting of a retaining ring, a compression collar, a plug, two or more than two plugs, a split ring, two or more than two split rings, a washer, a split washer, a tab, two or more than two tabs, a crushable collar and a multiple ridged neck.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the medical implant is selected from the group consisting of a bone plate, an artificial joint and an acetabulum cup.

12. A medical implant device affixed to a bone of a surgical patient comprising

a medical implant comprising at least one untapped through hole,

a bone of a surgical patient, and

a self-locking screw assembly affixed in the at least one untapped through hole and fastening the medical implant to the bone, the self-locking surgical screw assembly comprising

a screw having a non-threaded head affixed to a shank,

a threaded portion on the shank,

a neck portion on the shank disposed between the head and the threaded portion, and

a locking device externally affixed to or disposed on the head and/or neck,

wherein the locking device is lockingly engaged with the head and/or neck of the screw when the screw is in fastening engagement with the medical implant and the bone.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the locking device is selected from the group consisting of a retaining ring, a compression collar, a plug, two or more than two plugs, a split ring, two or more than two split rings, a washer, a split washer, a tab, two or more than two tabs, a crushable collar and a multiple ridged neck.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the medical implant is selected from the group consisting of a bone plate, an artificial joint and an acetabulum cup.