Bone plates with intraoperatively tapped apertures

• US 7,537,596 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Acumed Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jensen, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRIDDY, MICHAEL B
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRIDDY, MICHAEL B
• Application Number:
  US10/873,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/69, 606/70, 606/71, 606/80, 408/222, 470/198
• US Class Current: 606/280
• 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 17/8057 the interlocking form comprising a thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8863 Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel

Abstract

Method of tapping a bone plate intraoperatively. A bone plate having an aperture may be selected, and the bone plate may be placed on a bone. A thread may be formed in the aperture using a tap device with the bone plate disposed on the bone. A hole may be formed in the bone, with the hole in alignment with the aperture. The hole may be widened adjacent the aperture to create a counterbore in the bone. A fastener may be advanced into threaded engagement with the thread after removal of the tap device from the aperture.

Claims

1. A method of tapping a bone plate intraoperatively, comprising:

selecting a bone plate having an aperture;

placing the bone plate on a bone;

forming a thread in the aperture using a tap device with the bone plate disposed on the bone;

forming a hole in the bone, the hole being in alignment with the aperture;

widening the hole adjacent the aperture to create a counterbore in the bone; and

advancing a fastener into threaded engagement with the thread after removal of the tap device from the aperture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing includes a step of attaching the bone plate to the bone.

3. The method of claim 2, the aperture being a first aperture, wherein the step of attaching includes a step of inserting a fastener through a second aperture and into the bone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a hole also forms a thread in the bone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a hole is performed at least substantially before the step of forming a thread.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of forming a thread is performed with a tap device having a tap portion and a tip portion, and wherein the step of forming a thread includes a step of inserting the tip portion into the hole so that the tap portion is guided to the aperture.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting an angle for the step of forming a thread.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of selecting an angle includes a step of disposing a guide device at least substantially at the angle.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of forming a hole in the bone includes a step of forming a hole at least substantially at the angle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a bone plate includes selecting a bone plate formed at least substantially of metal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of selecting a bone plate includes selecting a bone plate formed at least substantially of titanium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a thread includes a step of cutting the thread.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the counterbore is defined in the bone by a wall, and wherein the step of advancing includes a step of disposing the fastener in threaded engagement with the wall.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fastener has a head with a threaded region, and wherein the step of advancing a fastener includes a step of advancing the threaded region into threaded engagement with the thread in the aperture and with the wall.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of widening the hole includes a step of creating a counterbore having a thread for engagement with the fastener.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing a fastener includes a step of tapping the counterbore.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the bone plate has a thickness, and wherein the step of advancing is performed with a fastener having a head that is longer than the thickness of the bone plate.

18. The method claim 1, wherein the step of widening is performed at least partially during the step of forming a thread.