Method of using a minimal incision removable bone screw
First Claim
1. A method of fixing bone fragments of an osteotomy or fracture of a bone using a bone screw having a screw thread at a distal end thereof, a head at a proximal end thereof, and an enlarged compression member between the screw thread and the head, the head and compression member being free of sharp edges, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting the bone screw through a proximal bone fragment until the compression member contacts the proximal bone fragment and the screw thread engages a distal bone fragment; and
(b) tightening the screw until the compression member and the screw thread draw the distal bone fragment and the proximal bone fragment into a desired position while leaving the head out of engagement with the proximal bone fragment, the screw being configured and proportioned for placement of the head below the skin of a patient and for removal, after the bone has healed sufficiently, by engaging the head of the screw with a tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical bone screw 1) and driver (31), and a method for using them for repairing an osteotomy or fracture. The screw has a shaft having a head (5) at its proximal end, screw threads (3) at its distal end and a compression member (7) between the head and the screw threads. In an embodiment, the threads are self-tapping and self-drilling, the head is polygonal, and the sides of the polygon are convex. The driver turns the screw until the threads cross a fracture site and the compression member contacts the proximal bone fragment. The threads and compression member draw the fragments together and leaves the head entirely clear of the bone surface. The screw is removed through a small incision. Tilting the driver to allow the socket to engage an inwardly extending lower portion of the head permits the driver to lift the screw out of the bone.
37 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of fixing bone fragments of an osteotomy or fracture of a bone using a bone screw having a screw thread at a distal end thereof, a head at a proximal end thereof, and an enlarged compression member between the screw thread and the head, the head and compression member being free of sharp edges, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting the bone screw through a proximal bone fragment until the compression member contacts the proximal bone fragment and the screw thread engages a distal bone fragment; and (b) tightening the screw until the compression member and the screw thread draw the distal bone fragment and the proximal bone fragment into a desired position while leaving the head out of engagement with the proximal bone fragment, the screw being configured and proportioned for placement of the head below the skin of a patient and for removal, after the bone has healed sufficiently, by engaging the head of the screw with a tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of fixing bone fragments of an osteotomy or fracture of a bone of an animal using a bone screw having a proximal end, a screw thread at a distal end, and an enlarged compression member between the screw thread and the proximal end, the head and compression member being free of sharp edges, the method comprising:
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(a) making an incision in an epidermis of the animal to expose a proximal bone fragment; (b) inserting the bone screw through the proximal bone fragment until the compression member contacts the proximal bone fragment and the screw thread engages a distal bone fragment; (c) thereafter, tightening the screw to cause the compression member and the screw thread to draw the distal bone fragment and the proximal bone fragment into a desired position while leaving the proximal end of the screw extending above the proximal bone fragment a distance at least equal to a diameter of the screw and permitting the screw to be removed, after the bone fragments have mended sufficiently, by making a small incision in the epidermis and unscrewing the screw; and (d) closing the incision after the screw is tightened, leaving the proximal end of the screw extending into a subcutaneous space between the epidermis and the bone. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of fixing bone fragments of an osteotomy or fracture of a bone using a bone screw having a screw thread at a distal end thereof, a polygonal head at a proximal end thereof, an enlarged compression member between the screw thread and the head, and a smooth body between the enlarged compression member and the screw thread, the head and compression member being free of sharp edges, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting the bone screw through a proximal bone fragment until the compression member contacts the proximal bone fragment and the screw thread engages a distal bone fragment, the smooth body passing slidably through an aperture in the proximal bone fragment, and (b) tightening the screw until the compression member and the screw thread draw the distal bone fragment and the proximal bone fragment into engagement with each other while leaving the head out of engagement with the proximal bone fragment screw, the screw being constructed and proportioned for placement of the head below the skin of a patient and for removal of the screw, after the bone fragments have mended sufficiently, by engaging the head to unscrew the screw. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification