Bone fixation system
First Claim
1. A method of attaching a fixation element to an implant, the method comprising:
- inserting a shaft of the fixation element between respective inner surfaces of first and second wire segments of the implant along a transverse direction, wherein
1) the inner surfaces are curved as they extend along the transverse direction and define a first threaded region, and
2) the fixation element defines a head and the shaft extends from the head in a distal direction along a central axis of the fixation element;
further inserting the fixation element between the inner surfaces along the transverse direction so as to cause a second threaded region of the fixation element to threadedly engage the first threaded region; and
further inserting the fixation element between the inner surfaces along the transverse direction until
1) the second threaded region is disengaged from, and spaced in the distal direction from, the first threaded region, and
2) the first threaded region is aligned with an unthreaded groove of the head along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction,wherein the groove extends along the transverse direction between a
1) first ridge of the head, the first ridge extending out with respect to the central axis, and
2) a second ridge of the head, the second ridge extending out with respect to the central axis and defining the second threaded region.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a central axis. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head toward the distal end. The head defines a first ridge, a second ridge spaced from the first ridge, and a groove disposed between the first and second ridges. The groove can receive at least a portion of the inner wall to couple the bone fixation element to the bone implant.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of attaching a fixation element to an implant, the method comprising:
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inserting a shaft of the fixation element between respective inner surfaces of first and second wire segments of the implant along a transverse direction, wherein
1) the inner surfaces are curved as they extend along the transverse direction and define a first threaded region, and
2) the fixation element defines a head and the shaft extends from the head in a distal direction along a central axis of the fixation element;further inserting the fixation element between the inner surfaces along the transverse direction so as to cause a second threaded region of the fixation element to threadedly engage the first threaded region; and further inserting the fixation element between the inner surfaces along the transverse direction until
1) the second threaded region is disengaged from, and spaced in the distal direction from, the first threaded region, and
2) the first threaded region is aligned with an unthreaded groove of the head along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction,wherein the groove extends along the transverse direction between a
1) first ridge of the head, the first ridge extending out with respect to the central axis, and
2) a second ridge of the head, the second ridge extending out with respect to the central axis and defining the second threaded region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification