Polymer filled bone plate

• US 6,336,930 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Technology Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stalcup, Gregory C., Lozier, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/520,262
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/53, 606/54, 606/60, 606/61, 606/69, 606/70, 606/71, 606/72, 606/76, 606/151, 606/192, 602/5, 602/6, 602/8, 602/13, 623/16.11, 623/17.11, 623/17.12
• US Class Current: 606/284
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• 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 17/8061 specially adapted for particular bones A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

An orthopaedic bone plate includes a flexible bag having a plurality of through holes; and a hardened polymer within the bag. The bone plate is attached to a bone by placing the bag against the bone; affixing the bag to the bone using a plurality of fasteners which extend through the bag; injecting a polymer into the bag; and hardening the polymer in the bag.

Claims

1. An orthopaedic bone plate, comprising:

a flexible bag having a plurality of through holes; and

a hardened polymer within said bag.

2. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 1, further comprising a structural support at least partially within said bag.

3. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 2, wherein said structural support comprises a hollow injection tube for injecting said polymer.

4. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 3, wherein said hollow injection tube is comprised of metal.

5. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 3, wherein said hollow injection tube has a generally H-shape.

6. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 1, wherein said bag has an H-shape.

7. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 6, wherein said plurality of through holes comprise six through holes.

8. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 6, wherein said bone plate is configured for use in spinal fixation.

9. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 1, wherein said structural support is disposed entirely within said bag.

10. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 1, wherein said polymer comprises a curable polymer.

11. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 10, wherein said polymer is curable with one of thermal energy, light energy, X-ray energy and a chemical catalyst.

12. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 10, wherein said polymer comprises a bioresorbable polymer.

13. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 10, wherein said polymer comprises polymethylmethacrylate.

14. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 1, wherein said bag comprises a porous bag allowing some of said polymer to pass therethrough.

15. A method of attaching a bone plate to a bone, comprising the steps of:

placing a bag against the bone;

affixing the bag to the bone using a plurality of fasteners which extend through the bag;

injecting a polymer into said bag; and

hardening said polymer in said bag.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said injecting step comprises injecting said polymer under pressure into said bag.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said affixing step occurs prior to said injecting step.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said hardening step occurs after said injecting step.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising a structural support at least partially within said bag.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said structural support comprises a hollow injection tube, said injecting step being carried out using said injection tube.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said hollow injection tube is comprised of metal.

22. The method of claim 20, comprising a fill hose attached to said injection tube, and comprising the further step of cutting off said fill hose after said injecting step.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein said bag comprises a flexible bag.

24. A method of attaching a bone plate to a bone, comprising the steps of:

placing a bag against a bone;

affixing the bag to the bone;

injecting a polymer into said bag; and

hardening said polymer in said bag.

25. An orthopaedic bone plate, comprising:

a flexible bag, at least one structural support at least portionally within said bag, and a hardened polymer within said bag and surrounding said at least one structural support, wherein said bag includes at least one projection, each said projection having a corresponding said structural support extending at least partially therein.

26. The orthopaedic bone plate of claim 25, wherein each said projection defines a polymeric fastener for attachment with the bone.