Self tapping insert

• US 9,101,427 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2013
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CarboFix Orthopedics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: CarboFix Orthopedics Ltd.
• Inventors: Globerman, Oren, Beyar, Mordechay
• Primary Examiner(s): BECCIA, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US13/935,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20130296952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 606/76, 606300-331
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1717 for applying intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7233 with special means of locking the nail to the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/80 Cortical plates , i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8033 having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8052 immobilised relative to screws by interlocking form of the heads and plate holes, e.g. conical or threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8625 Shanks, i.e. parts contacting bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/866 Material or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8685 comprising multiple separate parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/88 Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices A61B17/7074 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8863 Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/00 Particular material properties of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof

Abstract

A fixation component for a bone-supporting component of a bone implant, comprising a body including a core, and a head portion. A distal end of the component comprises an insert formed of a hard material, which covers a portion of the distal end, and acts a thread cutting tool. In some embodiments, the insert comprises a planar portion abutting against a material of the fixation component. In some embodiments, the fixation component is a screw, and the insert covers at least a portion of a cutting edge of the screw.

Claims

1. A fixation component for a bone-supporting component of a bone implant comprising:

a head portion, and a body including a core, said body comprising a threaded bone engaging distal end;

said distal end comprising a recess defining a cutting portion for cutting a thread into the bone;

wherein said body is formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite; and

an insert formed of a hard material, said insert located within said recess, said insert defining a planar portion covering said cutting portion.

2. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said planar portion is backed at least in part by said body, said planar portion extending in a radially outwards direction relative to a longitudinal axis of said body, said planar portion facing a direction that corresponds with a notional helical axis created when said fixation component is threaded into the bone.

3. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of a material with higher hardness than that of the rest of the fixation component to enhance self-tapping capability.

4. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of a material with higher hardness than that of a cortical bone.

5. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of ceramic material.

6. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of metal.

7. The fixation component according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of inserts at a distal end of the component.

8. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is attached to said distal end of the component using adhesion.

9. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is attached to said distal end of the component using a geometric connection.

10. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said fixation component is a bone screw.

11. The fixation component according to claim 10, wherein said insert is shaped according to a thread of said screw.

12. The fixation component according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of said planar portion covers a cutting edge of said screw.

13. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert strengthens at least a portion of said component.

14. The fixation component according to claim 3, wherein said insert is made of ceramic material.

15. The fixation component according to claim 2, wherein said planar portion of said insert abuts against said fiber-reinforced polymer composite body of said fixation component.

16. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said planar portion of said insert is thick enough to strengthen said cutting portion.

17. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said core of said fixation component is surrounded by a sleeve.

21. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said body is threaded at least at its distal portion, and wherein said insert leads said thread of said body into the bone when cutting a thread in the bone.

22. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is connected to said body by a non-circular geometric connection.

23. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said fiber-reinforced polymer composite comprises carbon fibers.

24. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert covers only a portion of said distal end.

18. A method for installing a fixation component for fixating a bone supporting component, comprising:

positioning a fixation component such as to anchor a bone supporting component to a bone;

driving said fixation component into said bone by forming a thread using at least a portion of a planar portion of an insert located within a recess that defines a cutting portion, said recess located at a distal end of a body of said fixation component, said planar portion of said insert covering said cutting portion.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said fixation component is passed through a passage in said bone supporting component.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said driving of said fixation component into the bone is assisted by drilling.