BONE FIXING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20120059377A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer SA (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer SA (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Belliard, Karl Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/74
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7053 with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/707 Devices acting on, or attached to, a transverse process or rib; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/681 Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms

Abstract

A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of the blocking body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the blocking body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the blocking body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the blocking body.

Claims

1. A bone fixing system for holding a bone in a position comprising:

a conformable ligature comprising a first end and a second end and a loop portion;

a blocking body comprising;

a loop passage;

an exit passage, wherein the loop portion passes through the loop passage and the first and second ends extend from the exit passage;

an engagement portion;

a closure member for engagement with the blocking body engagement portion; and

a compression member having a first surface,

wherein the closure member engages with the blocking body so that the first surface of the compression member contacts the conformable ligature to create a friction force between the conformable ligature and the blocking body.

2. The bone fixing system of claim 1, wherein the friction force is great enough to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the blocking body.

3. The bone fixing system of claim 1, wherein the exit passage comprises a first exit passage and a second exit passage and further wherein the first end passes through the first exit passage and the second end passes through the second exit passage.

4. The bone fixing system of claim 1, wherein the conformable ligature comprises polyester.

5. The bone fixing system claim 1, wherein the blocking body comprises a compression member opening for receiving the compression member, the compression member comprising a second surface for contact with the closure member;

the compression member or the blocking body comprises an extension for maintaining the position of the compression member in the blocking body; and

the closure member comprises a bottom surface for contact with the second surface of the compression member;

wherein engagement of the closure member biases the bottom surface of the closure member with the second surface of the compression member to create a friction force between the conformable ligature and the blocking body.

6. The bone fixing system of claim 5, wherein the compression member comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein the force generated by threadably advancing the closure member onto the second surface of the compression member changes the radius of curvature of the first surface of the compression member.

7. The bone fixing system of claim 5, wherein the compression member opening is oriented for side-loading of the compression member.

8. The bone fixing system of claim 5, wherein the compression member opening is oriented for top-loading of the compression member.

9. The bone fixing system of claim 1, wherein the blocking body further comprises an engagement portion comprising internal threads, the closure member comprises external threads, and the closure member engages with the engagement portion via the engagement of the closure member threads with the engagement portion threads.

10. The bone fixing system of claim 9, wherein the closure member comprises a screw.

11. The bone fixing system of claim 9, wherein the blocking body comprises a U-shaped channel defined by two upwardly extending arms, and wherein the compression member is side-loaded or top-loaded into the blocking body.

12. The bone fixing system of claim 1, wherein the blocking body comprises:

a first portion; and

a second portion, wherein the first portion is connected with the second portion via a hinge,

wherein the first or second portion comprises the compression member,

wherein engagement of the closure member to the blocking collapses the first portion relative to the second portion to create the friction force between the conformable ligature and the blocking body.

13. The bone fixing system of claim 1, further comprising a tensioning tool comprising:

a tool body comprising an attachment point for connecting to first and second ends of the conformable ligature;

a longitudinal member for advancement in the tool body; and

a distal end for engagement with the blocking body, wherein the tensioning tool tensions one or more ends of the conformable ligature when the distal end is engaged with the blocking body, one or more ends of the conformable ligature are attached to the tool body, and the longitudinal member is advanced through the tool body.

14. A method for holding a bone in a position, comprising the steps of:

passing a conformable ligature around one or more structures in a body;

passing first and second ends of the conformable ligature through a loop passage in a blocking body to form a loop extending from a first portion of the blocking body, wherein the blocking body comprises;

a loop passage;

an exit passage, wherein the loop portion passes through the loop passage and the first and second ends extend from the exit passage;

a threaded portion;

a threaded closure member for engagement with the threaded portion; and

a compression member having a first surface;

passing the first and second ends out the exit passage of the blocking body to extend a distance from a second portion of the blocking body;

applying tension to the conformable ligature; and

engaging the closure member in the engagement portion to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the blocking body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein advancing the longitudinal member comprises tensioning the conformable ligature to position a structure relative to another structure.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a bone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a bone fastener.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a tendon.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a bone graft.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a plate.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein a structure comprises a rod.