CAP DEVICE FOR USE IN THE FIXATION OF BONE STRUCTURES

• US 20090177199A1
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OrthoIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lagwire, LLC
• Inventors: Tipirneni, Kishore
• Granted Patent: US 8,109,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/62 Ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned A61B17/6433 , A61B17/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/685 Elements to be fitted on the end of screws or wires, e.g. protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/746 the longitudinal elements coupled to a plate opposite the femoral head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices

Abstract

The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In particular, the invention relates to a cap that has an inside surface comprising an interface component that is operable to engage a flexible wire. The flexible wire is connected to a head component that engages a first bone fragment. The outside surface of the cap may include cutting threads to facilitate attachment to a second bone fragment. A tensioner may be used to exert tension on the wire, the cap and the head component, thereby drawing the first bone fragment to the second bone fragment. In various embodiments, the cap is a planar disk that has a central hole that restricts backward translation and expands when the cap is translating down a wire.

Claims

1. A cap device comprising:

an outside surface having cutting threads; and

,

an inside surface having a first interface component;

wherein said cap device is operable to receive a flexible wire having a first end and a second end, and

wherein said flexible wire is at least one of bendable without the use of tools and is able to be cut with a wire cutter, and wherein said first end of said flexible wire is affixed to a head component.

2. The cap device of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a substantially flat top surface to minimize said cap from protruding above the surface of a first object after said cap is inserted into said second object.

3. The cap device of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a center hole for receiving said wire and additional openings surrounding said central hole for facilitating expansion of said center hole.

4. The cap device of claim 3, wherein said additional openings are connected to said central hole via cuts.

5. The cap device of claim 1, said flexible wire having a second interface along at least a portion of said flexible wire,

wherein said second interface comprises a plurality of sawteeth and said cap device mates with said second end of said flexible wire, said cap having a second interface component that comprises a plurality of sawteeth located on an inner surface of said cap such that said cap is operable to translate along said flexible wire with said plurality of sawteeth of said cap sliding over said plurality of sawteeth of said wire.

6. The cap device of claim 1, wherein said cap is one of a screw cap, a flat cap and a quick cap.

7. The cap device of claim 5, wherein said plurality of sawteeth of said cap and said plurality of sawteeth of said flexible wire operably provide auto tightening of said wire.

8. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the pitch of said first interface component is about 0.25 mm to about 0.5 mm.

9. The cap device of claim 1, wherein pressure is exerted on said wire component and said head component to reduce the distance between two surfaces.

10. The cap device of claim 9, wherein pressure is exerted using a tensioner.

11. The cap device of claim 2, wherein said head component comprises a self drilling tip to facilitate drilling of said head component through said first object and attachment of said head component to a second object.

12. The cap device of claim 11, wherein said head component comprises one of cutting threads and fastening threads.

13. A cap for restricting movement of a wire, said cap comprising:

a planar disk having a central hole, said central hole having an interface component on its inner circumference surface, and wherein said central hole is operable to expand while translating down a wire.

14. The cap of claim 13, wherein said planar disk comprises one of a cut and an additional opening surrounding said central hole.

15. The cap of claim 13, said planar disk comprising multiple additional openings, wherein said multiple additional openings are connected to said central hole via cuts.

16. The cap of claim 13, wherein said interface component comprises a saw tooth configuration.

17. The cap of claim 13, wherein said planar disk is substantially circular.

18. The cap of claim 13, wherein said planar disk is set inside a shallow cup device.

19. The cap of claim 18, wherein said circumference of said cup device is slightly larger than the circumference of said planar disk in order to allow expansion of said planar disk.

20. The cap of claim 18, further comprising a spring between said planar disk and said cup device, said spring operable to facilitate the application of pressure to said cap.