Device for locally heating a bioabsorbable plate

• US 6,592,578 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Howmedica Leibinger Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Henniges, Bruce D., Tyler, Douglas L. Sr., Longo, Paul T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Priddy, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US09/791,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20020004660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 606/27-31, 606/101, 219/227, 219/229, 222/146.1, 222/146.2, 222/146.5, 222/189.06, 222/189.09, 604/215, 993/45
• US Class Current: 606/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1655 for tapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• 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 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/865 Packages or dispensers for bone screws or threaded wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8863 Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8883 the driver bit acting on the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8891 at its periphery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 coded with colour

Abstract

The present invention is a system for installing bioabsorbable plates for general bone repair, as for example, facial or cranial osteosynthesis. The present invention includes an improved plate and fastener system which reduces if not eliminates stresses within the plate. It also includes an improved fastener container and driver for handling and installing fasteners. The system employs a unique water bath for heating the bioabsorbable plate so they can be deformed to the contours of the bone being repaired. Additionally, there is a hand tool for localized heating and deformation of the plate when positioned against the bone to further ensure conformity with the bone structure. These and other features are contained within a kit which is easily sterilized.

Claims

1. A hand held device for locally heating a portion of a bioabsorbable plate, said device comprising:

a body portion having a hand held section and a tip;

said body portion defining a thermal mass for retaining heat within said body portion for transfer to the bioabsorbable plate;

said tip holding a fluid for bridging said body portion and the bioabsorbable plate to facilitate heat transfer from said body portion to the bioabsorbable plate,

wherein said tip has a roughened surface for retaining the fluid to said tip.

2. The hand held device as set forth in claim 1, further including a cavity for retaining the fluid to said tip.

3. The hand held device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said roughened surface of said tip surrounds said cavity on said tip to provide additional surface area for holding the fluid.

4. The hand held device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a fluid channel, said fluid channel including a first end at said tip and extending to a second end at a position within said body portion thereby creating a passage therebetween, said fluid channel being operable to receive and hold the fluid to be dispensed from said tip.

5. The hand held device as set forth in claim 4, further including a sleeve extending about said body portion and including at least one hollow compressible bulb extending therefrom to define a cavity between said compressible bulb and said body portion, and said body portion including at least one opening positioned between said cavity and said second end of said fluid channel for allowing fluid communication between said cavity and said fluid channel.

6. The hand held device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said body portion includes a pair of o-rings for creating a seal between said body portion and said sleeve, said o-rings being spaced along said body portion such that said cavity, said opening, and said second end of said fluid channel are disposed therebetween, whereby said cavity, said opening, and said fluid channel define a continuous variable volume chamber with only one aperture, said aperture being said first end of said fluid channel.

7. The hand held device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said fluid channel includes a branch channel extending from said fluid channel to a point adjacent said tip for allowing suction between said fluid channel and the fluid at said tip to be interrupted.

8. The hand held device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said body portion that defines said thermal mass is made from a non-corrosive metal and said sleeve is made from an autoclavable insulating material.

9. The hand held device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said body portion includes a heating device for keeping said body portion and the fluid that is within said fluid channel at a pre-determined temperature until the heated fluid is dispensed.

10. The hand held device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a heating device for keeping said tip and the fluid that is within said tip at a pre-determined temperature until the heated fluid is dispensed.

11. A hand held device for locally heating a portion of a bioabsorbable plate, said device comprising:

a body portion having a hand held section and a tip;

said body portion defining a thermal mass for retaining heat within said body portion for transfer to the bioabsorbable plate;

said body portion including a fluid channel, said fluid channel including a first end at said tip and extending to a second end at a position within said body portion thereby creating a passage therebetween, said fluid channel being operable to receive and hold a fluid to be dispensed from said tip;

a sleeve extending about said body portion and including at least one hollow compressible bulb extending therefrom to define a cavity between said compressible bulb and said body portion, and said body portion including at least one opening positioned between said cavity and said second end of said fluid channel for allowing fluid communication between said cavity and said fluid channel; and

said tip holding the fluid for bridging said body portion and the bioabsorbable plate to facilitate heat transfer from said body portion to the bioabsorbable plate.

12. The hand held device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said body portion includes a pair of o-rings for creating a seal between said body portion and said sleeve, said o-rings being spaced along said body portion such that said cavity, said opening, and said second end of said fluid channel are disposed therebetween, whereby said cavity, said opening, and said fluid channel define a continuous variable volume chamber with only one aperture, said aperture being said first end of said fluid channel.

13. The hand held device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said fluid channel includes a branch channel extending from said fluid channel to a point adjacent said tip for allowing suction between said fluid channel and the fluid at said tip/y be interrupted.

14. The hand held device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said tip has a roughened surface for retaining the fluid to said tip.

15. A hand held device for locally heating a portion of a bioabsorbable plate, said device comprising:

a body portion having a hand held section and a tip;

said body portion defining a passive thermal mass for retaining heat within said body portion and for transferring of the heat to the bioabsorbable plate;

said tip holding a fluid for bridging said body portion and the bioabsorbable plate to facilitate heat transfer from said body portion to the bioabsorbable plate,

wherein said passive thermal mass transfers heat to the fluid and to the bioabsorbable plate without an external electrical connection actively energizing said passive thermal mass to heat up.

16. The hand held device as set forth in claim 15 said body portion that defines said passive thermal mass is made from a non-corrosive metal.

17. The hand held device as set forth in claim 15, further including a cavity for retaining the fluid to said tip.

18. The hand held device of claim 15, wherein said tip has a roughened surface for retaining the fluid to said tip.

19. The hand held device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said tip has a roughened surface surrounding said cavity on said tip to provide additional surface area for holding the fluid.

20. The hand held device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said body portion includes a fluid channel, said fluid channel including a first end at said tip and extending to a second end at a position within said body portion thereby creating a passage therebetween, said fluid channel being operable to receive and hold the fluid to be dispensed from said tip.

21. The hand held device as set forth in claim 20, further including a sleeve extending about said body portion and including at least one hollow compressible bulb extending therefrom to define a cavity between said compressible bulb and said body portion, and said body portion including at least one opening positioned between said cavity and said second end of said fluid channel for allowing fluid communication between said cavity and said fluid channel.

22. The hand held device set forth in claim 21, wherein said body portion includes a pair of o-rings for creating a seal between said body portion and said sleeve, said o-rings being spaced along said body portion such that said cavity, said opening, and said second end of said fluid channel are disposed therebetween, whereby said cavity, said opening, and said fluid channel define a continuous variable volume chamber with only one aperture, said aperture being said first end of said fluid channel.

23. The hand held device as set forth in claim 22, wherein said fluid channel includes a branch channel extending from said fluid channel to a point adjacent said tip for allowing suction between said fluid channel and the fluid at said tip to be interrupted.

24. The hand held device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said body portion that defines said passive thermal mass is made from a non-corrosive metal and said sleeve is made from an autoclavable insulating material.