Flexible plate fixation of bone fractures
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- a bone fracture fixation plate having an outer surface and a bone-facing surface, the bone plate comprising one or more slots extending through the plate from the outer surface to the bone-facing surface, the one or more slots at least partially circumscribing a periphery of one or more receiving holes and not penetrating through a longitudinal edge of the bone plate, wherein the one or more slots form a spring element, the spring element at least partially surrounding the receiving hole and permitting axial translation of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes within a plane that is substantially parallel to an upper or lower surface of the bone plate, but substantially preventing motion of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the upper or lower surface of the bone plate;
wherein the one or more slots comprise at least two central slots extending longitudinally away from the receiving hole and at least partially circumscribing a periphery of the receiving hole, andtwo or more pairs of peripheral slots arranged in a generally transverse direction relative to the at least two central slots and extending laterally between the at least two central slots, wherein each pair of peripheral slots spans substantially opposite sides of the receiving hole in a longitudinal direction.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone. In various embodiments, the systems and plates may provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension may 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, for instance if fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate may enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate, which may promote fracture healing by callus formation.
126 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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a bone fracture fixation plate having an outer surface and a bone-facing surface, the bone plate comprising one or more slots extending through the plate from the outer surface to the bone-facing surface, the one or more slots at least partially circumscribing a periphery of one or more receiving holes and not penetrating through a longitudinal edge of the bone plate, wherein the one or more slots form a spring element, the spring element at least partially surrounding the receiving hole and permitting axial translation of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes within a plane that is substantially parallel to an upper or lower surface of the bone plate, but substantially preventing motion of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the upper or lower surface of the bone plate; wherein the one or more slots comprise at least two central slots extending longitudinally away from the receiving hole and at least partially circumscribing a periphery of the receiving hole, and two or more pairs of peripheral slots arranged in a generally transverse direction relative to the at least two central slots and extending laterally between the at least two central slots, wherein each pair of peripheral slots spans substantially opposite sides of the receiving hole in a longitudinal direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device, comprising:
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a bone fracture fixation plate having an outer surface and a bone-facing surface, the bone plate comprising one or more slots extending through the plate from the outer surface to the bone-facing surface, the one or more slots at least partially circumscribing a periphery of one or more receiving holes and not penetrating through a longitudinal edge of the bone plate, wherein the one or more slots form a spring element, the spring element at least partially surrounding the receiving hole and permitting axial translation of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes within a plane that is substantially parallel to an upper or lower surface of the bone plate, but substantially preventing motion of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the upper or lower surface of the bone plate; wherein the one or more slots comprise at least two central slots extending longitudinally away from the receiving hole and at least partially circumscribing a periphery of the receiving hole, and two or more pairs of peripheral slots arranged in a generally transverse direction relative to the at least two central slots, wherein each pair of peripheral slots spans substantially opposite sides of the receiving hole in a longitudinal direction; wherein a combination of the at least two central slots and the two or more pairs of peripheral slots forms a spring element, the spring element comprising a plurality of cantilever beam elements that are substantially connected by the at least two central slots, and wherein the cantilever beam elements extend laterally between the at least two central slots. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification