Plate for broken bone fixation
First Claim
1. A device adapted for placement in the body of a person to span a fracture in a bone and to be connected by means of screws to the bone on both sides of the fracture, comprising a plate, cushions, and screws, all constructed of biologically-compatible material, in which:
- said plate is substantially rigid;
said plate is provided with a plurality of holes that enable passage of said screws through said plate such that the central axis of each of said screws lies approximately in a plane that contains the long axis of the bone and is nearly perpendicular to said long axis when the device is installed;
at least all those holes which are on one side of the fracture when the device is installed are elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the bone when the device is installed;
each hole which is an elongated hole is partially filled with a said cushion which is an elastic biologically-compatible material positioned with a snug fit in the portion of said elongated hole which is to be closer to the fracture when the device is installed, said cushion being of a shape and material that permits one of said screws to pass through the unfilled portion of said elongated hole for the purpose of fastening the device to the bone.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable plate for joining together two pieces of a broken bone is formed to have a plurality of elongated holes for the screws that fasten the plate to the bone on both sides of the fracture. The screws are positioned at the end of the elongated hole that is farthest from the fracture. The portion of each elongated hole that is not occupied by the screw is filled with a cushion of elastic material that may be deformed elastically when the screw shank is pressed against it, thereby allowing lateral movement of the screw in the hole. When the plate is implanted in the body of a person and fastened to a fractured bone by means of screws through the elongated holes, the plate stabilizes the bone pieces but permits the screws, and hence the bone pieces, to move a short distance back and forth in the direction of the axis of the bone in order to promote healing.
137 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device adapted for placement in the body of a person to span a fracture in a bone and to be connected by means of screws to the bone on both sides of the fracture, comprising a plate, cushions, and screws, all constructed of biologically-compatible material, in which:
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said plate is substantially rigid; said plate is provided with a plurality of holes that enable passage of said screws through said plate such that the central axis of each of said screws lies approximately in a plane that contains the long axis of the bone and is nearly perpendicular to said long axis when the device is installed; at least all those holes which are on one side of the fracture when the device is installed are elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the bone when the device is installed; each hole which is an elongated hole is partially filled with a said cushion which is an elastic biologically-compatible material positioned with a snug fit in the portion of said elongated hole which is to be closer to the fracture when the device is installed, said cushion being of a shape and material that permits one of said screws to pass through the unfilled portion of said elongated hole for the purpose of fastening the device to the bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification