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Dual-taper, asymmetric hole placement in reconstruction and fracture plates

  • US 4,955,886 A
  • Filed: 04/01/1988
  • Issued: 09/11/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A reconstruction or fracture plate for bridging a discontinuity in a long bone of a patient comprising:

  • a longitudinal axis for placement generally in alignment with a long axis of the long bone;

    a transversal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

    a central portion for placement over the bone discontinuity;

    a first end portion for abutting placement against the long bone on one side of the bond discontinuity, the first end portion having a dual-tapered width and thickness profile for decreasing plate cross section and increasing plate flexibility along the longitudinal axis away from the central portion and the first end portion defining a first plurality of screw holes for receipt of bone screws, each hole having a central axis; and

    a second end portion for abutting placement against the long bone on a second side of the bone discontinuity, defining a second plurality of screw holes for receipt of bone screws, each having a central axis;

    the first and second plurality of screw holes each having a central axis pattern oriented relative to the plate longitudinal and transversal axes with plate taper and the distribution and orientation of the screw holes chosen to maintain bone screw bending strain direction and magnitude within limitations which reduce the likelihood of screw failure during the patient'"'"'s bone healing process.

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