Method and apparatus for bone fracture fixation

Abstract

A plate for coupling severed bone regions comprising at least one bridge region, the at least one bridge region terminating in at least two bone fixation regions. The at least two bone fixation regions each contain at least one aperture for receiving a suitable fastening device for securing the plate to the bone regions to be coupled. The bridge region may be configured so as to be easily severed by a suitable severing device such as surgical scissors. The plate and fastening device may be formed from a bio-compatible or bio-resorbable material.

Description

FIELD The present teachings relate to surgical applications for the repair of bone fractures and deformities. More particularly, the teachings relate to a method and apparatus for securing two severed bone portions in a relatively fixed relationship to each other. BACKGROUND In various orthopedic surgical procedures, it is necessary to align and secure two severed bone portions in a relatively fixed relationship to each other. For example, it is often necessary to establish such a secured relationship after a bone has been fractured as a result of either natural causes or physician intervention. To ensure that the bone can regenerate in the proper orientation and fuse the fracture, it is important that the bone portions be fixed in the desired position during bone regeneration. It is known in the art to provide metal plates for the repair of bone fractures. The plates are generally secured to the fractured bone portions with fasteners such as screws. Among other applications, the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The fasteners may include a main body portion with an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion. Once secured to the bone surface due to interaction with the fasteners, the plate may be removed from engagement with the bone surface by removing the head member and subsequently removing the plate from the bone surface. The fastener configuration allows for removal of the plate without requiring removal of the main body portion of the fastener from the bone, thus allowing the main body portion and hole within the bone to be used again in the future to secure the plate to the bone surface. In addition, the plate may alternatively be secured to the bone surface by a one-piece locking, or non-locking, screw such that removal of the plate from the bone requires severing of the plate or removal of each one-piece screw. As can be appreciated, the fastener chosen (i.e., one-piece versus multiple-piece construction) for the particular plate will vary depending on the requirements of the particular application.

The plate of the present teachings is configured to permit rapid separation of the bone portions previously secured by the plate. The plate may be severed using any suitable cutting device, such as surgical scissors, surgical wire cutters, or surgical plate cutters. Severing of the plate using surgical scissors, wire cutters, or plate cutters is facilitated due to the presence of a bridge region that is specifically configured to allow for such engagement. Optimum bridge severability is accomplished mainly through manipulation of the aspect ratio and area of the cross-section of the bridge region. The aspect ratio of the cross section is generally defined as the height of the bridge region in the cutting device divided by the width of the bridge region in the cutting device. Therefore, the aspect ratio of the cross-section will change depending on the orientation of the cutting device, unless the cross-section of the bridge includes a generally square or round cross-section. Generally speaking, for a cross section of a constant area, as the width of the bridge region in the cutting device is increased, the height of the bridge region is decreased, and the force required to sever the bridge region is reduced. In addition, the bridge region may be raised or tapered so as to ease engagement of the bridge region by surgical wire cutters, surgical plate cutters, or surgical scissors. The bridge region may also be weakened or contain a notch to further aid in severing the bridge region.

Problems solved by technology

While known systems utilizing plates and fasteners for aiding the osteosynthesis of severed bone regions have proven to be acceptable for certain applications, such systems are nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their performance.

In this regard, many known systems require time consuming attachment.

Additionally, known systems, which necessitate the insertion, removal, and subsequent reinsertion of fasteners into the bone, negatively affect fastener purchase.

Furthermore, many known systems do not facilitate cutting of the plate to provide expedited physician access to the area or cavity requiring access through the location spanned by the plate.

Images