ADJUSTABLE BONE PLATES

• US 20170035477A1
• Filed: 08/15/2016
• Published: 02/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huebner, Randall J., Horst, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,456,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1735 for rasps or chisels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1782 for the hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/80 Cortical plates , i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8004 with means for distracting or compressing the bone or bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8033 having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8052 immobilised relative to screws by interlocking form of the heads and plate holes, e.g. conical or threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8061 specially adapted for particular bones A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/808 Instruments for holding or positioning bone plates, or for adjusting screw-to-plate locking mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles

Abstract

Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.

Claims

1. A method of clavicle fixation, the method comprising:

selecting a pre-assembled bone plate including a first plate member and a second plate member connected to one another at a joint having (a) an adjustable configuration in which an orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another is adjustable about an axis, and (b) a fixed configuration in which the orientation is fixed, wherein the joint includes a fastener configured to be manipulated to change the joint from the adjustable configuration to the fixed configuration;

placing the pre-assembled bone plate on a clavicle with the axis extending through the clavicle; and

securing each plate member of the pre-assembled bone plate to the clavicle, such that the bone plate spans a discontinuity of the clavicle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of adjusting the orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of adjusting the orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another is performed after the step of securing the bone plate to a clavicle.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of adjusting the orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another includes a step of manipulating a tool that is removably engaged with at least one of the plate members.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising a step of placing the joint in the fixed configuration about the step of adjusting the orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the orientation is adjustable about only a single axis.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing includes a step of placing a plurality of fasteners through openings defined by each plate member and into the clavicle.

8. A device for clavicle fixation, comprising:

a bone plate including a first plate member and a second plate member, each plate member defining a plurality of openings, the bone plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being configured to face bone;

wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are connected to one another at a joint having (a) an adjustable configuration in which an orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another is adjustable about an axis, and (b) a fixed configuration in which the orientation is fixed,

wherein the axis extends through the bone plate between the inner surface and the outer surface,

wherein the joint includes a fastener configured to be manipulated to change the joint from the adjustable configuration to the fixed configuration, and

wherein the bone plate is configured to be placed on a clavicle as a pre-assembled unit including the joint, with the axis extending through the clavicle, and to be secured to the clavicle with fasteners received in the plurality of openings of each plate member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the joint is configured to permit the orientation to be adjusted about only one axis.