Flexible plate fixation of bone fractures
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- a bone fracture fixation plate having an upper surface and a bone-facing surface, the bone plate comprising one or more slots extending through the plate from the upper surface to the bone-facing surface, the one or more slots circumscribing a periphery of one or more receiving holes to enable relative displacement between the receiving holes within the bone plate, wherein the one or more slots are at least partially filled with an elastomer to support elastic suspension of said receiving holes in the bone plate, wherein the elastomer is disposed within the slots such that the elastomer circumscribes the periphery of the one or more receiving holes.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone with a bone plate. In various embodiments, the systems and plates provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to an osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension can promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments where fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate can enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate. This relative motion can promote fracture healing by callus formation.
128 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
a bone fracture fixation plate having an upper surface and a bone-facing surface, the bone plate comprising one or more slots extending through the plate from the upper surface to the bone-facing surface, the one or more slots circumscribing a periphery of one or more receiving holes to enable relative displacement between the receiving holes within the bone plate, wherein the one or more slots are at least partially filled with an elastomer to support elastic suspension of said receiving holes in the bone plate, wherein the elastomer is disposed within the slots such that the elastomer circumscribes the periphery of the one or more receiving holes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device, comprising:
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a bone fracture fixation plate comprising one or more receiving holes configured to receive a rivet; a rivet disposed non-rigidly within one of the one or more receiving holes, wherein a slot is present between the rivet and the plate, wherein the slot is at least partially filled with an elastomer to provide elastic suspension of the rivet within the receiving hole in the bone plate to enable relative displacement between the rivet and the bone plate. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification