Cap device for use in the fixation of bone structures

• US 8,109,936 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OrthoIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: OrthoIP, LLC
• Inventors: Tipirneni, Kishore
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANCO, JAVIER G
• Application Number:
  US12/400,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 606/103, 606/105, 606/313
• US Class Current: 606/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/62 Ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned A61B17/6433 , A61B17/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/685 Elements to be fitted on the end of screws or wires, e.g. protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/746 the longitudinal elements coupled to a plate opposite the femoral head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices

Abstract

The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In particular, the invention relates to a cap that has an inside surface comprising an interface component that is operable to engage a flexible wire. The flexible wire is connected to a head component that engages a first bone fragment. The outside surface of the cap may include cutting threads to facilitate attachment to a second bone fragment. A tensioner may be used to exert tension on the wire, the cap and the head component, thereby drawing the first bone fragment to the second bone fragment. In various embodiments, the cap is a planar disk that has a central hole that restricts backward translation and expands when the cap is translating down a wire.

Claims

1. An orthopedic cap attachable to bone for restricting movement of a flexible wire, said cap comprising:

a substantially circular planar disk having an exterior circumference surface having cutting threads, and a substantially circular central hole, said central hole having an interface component on said central hole'"'"'s inner circumference surface, wherein said interface component comprises a saw tooth configuration, wherein said planar disk further comprises a plurality of substantially circular holes formed therein and located circumferentially around said central hole, wherein said planar disk comprises a slit-shaped connecting cut between each of said plurality of holes and said central hole, wherein said planar disk further comprises a cut extending from at least one of said plurality of holes to said planar disk'"'"'s exterior circumference surface, wherein said central hole is operable to expand, by separating said cuts between said central hole and said plurality of holes and also by separating said cut between said at least one of said plurality of holes and said planar disk'"'"'s exterior circumference surface, while translating down said flexible wire through said central hole, and wherein said flexible wire is at least one of bendable without the use of tools and is able to be cut with a wire cutter.