Bone plate with length-adjusting elongated hole

Abstract

Disclosed herein are bone plates including length-adjustment elongated holes formed in shaft portions thereof and corresponding methods of use. In one embodiment, the length-adjustment elongated holes are arranged and configured to receive one or more bone fixation devices (e.g., bone screws). In use, the bone fixation devices located within the length-adjustment elongated holes can be partially loosened without being removed to enable adjustment of a patient's bone (e.g., loosening the bone fixation devices within the length-adjustment elongated holes allows a surgeon to adjust the position of a patient's bone relative to the bone plate, and thus the bone fixation devices coupled thereto). Once properly adjusted, the bone fixation devices located within the length-adjustment elongated holes can be retightened. In various embodiments, the length-adjustment elongated holes are arranged and configured such that, in use, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings remains available for use by a surgeon.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is a non-provisional application filed on April 29, 2020, entitled “Bone Plate with Length Adjusting Elongate Hole”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 017,062, and claims the benefit of the application as of its filing date, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to orthopedic implants (e.g., bone plates) for attachment to bones, bone segments, bone blocks, etc., of one or more patients, and more specifically, to bone plates that allow a surgeon to adjust the length of fractured bone without removing the bone plate (e.g., separating the ends of the bone plate from the bone below the patient) and / or without sacrificing (e.g., eliminating, preventing use, etc.) any bone fixation openings. Background Technology

[0004] Fractures are typically repaired by attaching orthopedic implants or devices to one or more bones, bone segments, bone fragments, etc. (these are interchangeable and not intended to limit the use of implants or devices). For example, it is not uncommon for a patient to receive a bone plate to repair one or more fractures in their bone.

[0005] During treatment, surgeons may need to adjust the length of the fractured bone for one or more reasons. However, adjusting the length of the fractured bone attached to a bone plate presents several challenges. For example, it is not uncommon for surgeons to fix or secure one end of a bone plate to the patient's bone, such as fixing the plate to a proximal or distal segment of the fracture, while the opposite end of the plate remains free. For instance, a surgeon may place a temporary fixation pin in an unfixed area of ​​the bone plate. In use, the temporary fixation pin can be positioned along the outside of the bone plate to create a restricted path for plate translation. The surgeon can then use a series of bone clips or compression screws to attempt to hold the bone plate positioned on the patient's bone while allowing for plate translation. In this way, the surgeon can achieve the desired position, limb length, and / or flexion / extension.

[0006] With this arrangement, achieving translation of the bone plate requires the removal of a portion or end of the bone plate from fixation (e.g., separation from the patient's fractured bone), which may disrupt very close fracture reduction (e.g., comminuted, flexed / extended setup) or cause the bone plate to move in an undesirable manner. Furthermore, achieving translation of the bone plate requires additional instruments, such as bone clips, articulated tensioners, etc. Moreover, including cortical bone screws to compress the bone plate to the patient's bone can prevent or at least inhibit the surgeon from using locking screws when new screw holes overlap with screw holes created for temporary fixation of the bone plate to the patient's bone. Therefore, one or more screw holes may be sacrificed (e.g., to prevent the surgeon from using screw holes during the surgical procedure).

[0007] Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide bone plates arranged and configured such that the length of the patient's bones can be adjusted without separating the bone plate from the patient's bones and / or without requiring any additional instruments, and a corresponding method of use. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide bone plates arranged and configured such that the length of the patient's bones can be adjusted without sacrificing any bone fixation openings (e.g., bone plates arranged and configured to achieve length adjustment without reducing the number of bone fixation openings provided in the bone plate and / or its availability to the surgeon during the surgical procedure).

[0008] This disclosure may be useful regarding these and other considerations. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a series of concepts that will be further described in the detailed description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] In one embodiment, a bone plate is disclosed. The bone plate includes a axial portion and a length-adjusting elongated hole formed in the axial portion. The axial portion includes a central longitudinal axis, a upper surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of bone fixation openings extending between the upper surface and the bottom surface, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings being arranged and configured to receive a bone fixation device to attach the bone plate to the bone of a patient. The length-adjusting elongated hole includes a central longitudinal axis. In use, the length-adjusting elongated hole is arranged and configured such that the length of the patient's bone can be adjusted without completely separating the bone plate from the patient's bone. The length-adjusting hole is one of the following: (i) the central longitudinal axis of the length-adjusting hole is offset and spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the axial portion, and the length-adjusting elongated hole is located adjacent to and offset from one of the plurality of bone fixation openings; or (ii) the central longitudinal axis of the length-adjusting hole is aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the axial portion, and the length-adjusting elongated hole extends between adjacent bone fixation openings formed in the axial portion of the bone plate, and the length-adjusting elongated hole communicates with the adjacent bone fixation openings.

[0011] In one embodiment, the central longitudinal axis of the length adjustment hole is aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the shaft portion, and the length adjustment elongated hole extends between adjacent bone fixation openings formed in the shaft portion of the bone plate, such that the length adjustment elongated hole communicates with the adjacent bone fixation opening, which is a locking screw opening.

[0012] In one embodiment, the locking screw opening is located on either side of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the length-adjustable elongated orifice includes a length at least twice the diameter of the bone fixation opening.

[0014] In one embodiment, the length adjustment hole includes a concave or recessed region arranged and configured such that the bone fixation device can be recessed relative to the upper surface of the bone plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the length-adjusting elongated hole includes a recessed portion on the bottom surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, a bone plate is disclosed. The bone plate includes an axial portion and a length-adjusting elongated hole formed in the axial portion. The axial portion includes an upper surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of bone fixation openings extending between the upper surface and the bottom surface, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings being arranged and configured to receive a bone fixation device to attach the bone plate to a patient's bone. The length-adjusting elongated hole extends between adjacent bone fixation openings formed in the axial portion of the bone plate, such that the length-adjusting elongated hole communicates with the adjacent bone fixation opening, and the length-adjusting elongated hole is arranged and configured to allow adjustment of the length of the patient's bone without requiring separation of the bone plate from the patient's bone.

[0017] In one embodiment, the length-adjusting elongated hole includes a central longitudinal axis aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the shaft portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the adjacent bone fixation opening is a locking screw opening.

[0019] In one embodiment, the locking screw opening is located on either side of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the length-adjustable elongated orifice is arranged and configured such that, in use, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings remains available to the surgeon.

[0021] In one embodiment, a method for fracture reduction is disclosed. The method utilizes a bone plate having a length-adjusting elongated hole formed in an axial portion of the bone plate. The method includes: attaching a portion of the bone plate to a patient's bone using one or more bone fixation devices; inserting the bone fixation device into the length-adjusting elongated hole, the bone fixation device being located within one side of the length-adjusting elongated hole; reducing the amount of temporary compression from the bone fixation device; adjusting the length of the patient's bone; compressing the bone plate against the patient's bone using the previously inserted bone fixation device; and inserting a locking screw into an adjacent locking screw opening formed in the bone plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the bone plate is temporarily held against the patient's bone during the insertion of the bone fixation device into the length-adjusting elongated hole.

[0023] In one embodiment, adjusting the length of the patient's bones includes reducing or compressing the patient's bones.

[0024] In one embodiment, adjusting the length of the patient's bones includes lengthening or pulling the patient's bones apart.

[0025] In one embodiment, the method further includes reducing the patient's bone density.

[0026] In one embodiment, bone reduction of the patient is performed before a portion of the bone plate is attached to the patient's bone.

[0027] The embodiments of this disclosure offer numerous advantages. For example, by including length-adjusting elongated holes, surgeons can facilitate length adjustment without compromising fracture reduction; surgeons can position the plate relative to the patient's bone maintenance requirements because the length-adjusting elongated holes do not require additional instruments to constrain the translation of the bone plate; and / or surgeons can facilitate length adjustment via the bone plate without requiring multiple additional instruments for length adjustment. Furthermore, the positioning and arrangement of the length-adjusting elongated holes do not eliminate, remove, or prevent any bone fixation openings from being included in the plate, nor do they eliminate, remove, or prevent their availability during surgical procedures, thereby providing surgeons with additional options.

[0028] The following describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, at least some of the additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Specific embodiments of the apparatus of this disclosure will now be described by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A top view of an example embodiment of a bone plate according to one or more features of this disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The side view of the bone plate shown;

[0032] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The bottom view of the bone plate shown;

[0033] Figure 4 Various sizes of constructions are shown. Figure 1 The bone plate shown;

[0034] Figure 5 The illustration shows one or more features that may be included in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 1 A top view of an example embodiment of an elongated groove in a bone plate;

[0035] Figure 6 The illustration shows one or more features that may be included in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 1 A top view of another example embodiment of an elongated groove in a bone plate;

[0036] Figure 7 The illustration shows one or more features that may be included in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 1 A top view of another example embodiment of an elongated groove in a bone plate;

[0037] Figure 8 A perspective view of an example embodiment of the elongated groove is shown;

[0038] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 A bottom view of the elongated slot shown; and

[0039] Figure 10 A block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a surgical method according to one or more features of this disclosure is shown.

[0040] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are merely illustrative and not intended to depict specific parameters of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict various embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope. In the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same numbers represent the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The various features of orthopedic bone plates will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more features of the bone plate will be shown and described. It should be understood that the various features can be used independently or in combination with each other. It should be understood that the bone plates disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will convey certain features of the bone plates to those skilled in the art.

[0042] As will be described herein, this disclosure discloses a bone plate comprising one or more features that can be used in combination or individually. As disclosed herein, the bone plate includes one or more features designed and configured to provide increased flexibility, enabling a surgeon to locate and secure the bone plate across the patient's bone. For example, in one embodiment, the bone plate is arranged and configured to allow adjustment (e.g., lengthening or decreasing) of the length of the underlying fractured bone without requiring complete separation of the bone plate from the patient's bone at one end. In various embodiments, the bone plate includes length-adjusting elongated orifices arranged and configured to allow adjustment of the length of the underlying fractured bone without sacrificing or eliminating the availability of any bone fixation openings or their use during surgical procedures.

[0043] As will be described herein, bone plates can have various shapes and / or configurations. It should be understood that bone plates can be provided in any suitable shape and / or configuration, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, depending on the location and type of bone being immobilized in the patient. For example, a bone plate may include an arched surface that conforms to the bone. Furthermore, bone plates can be arranged and configured to cross, contact, etc., the distal femur, proximal femur, distal tibia, proximal tibia, proximal humerus, distal humerus, fibula, ulna, radius, distal radius, foot bones, or hand bones, and to address diaphysis fractures of long bones, etc.

[0044] In addition, the bone plate may include any additional features now known or later developed, such as one or more openings or slots designed to receive, for example, surgical implantation tools, various fasteners (e.g., non-locking fasteners), etc.

[0045] The bone plate can be made of any suitable material now known or to be developed in the future, including, for example, metals, polymers, plastics, ceramics, absorbable composites, non-absorbable composites, etc. Suitable materials may include, for example, titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), absorbable polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), combinations or alloys of such materials, or any other suitable material that has sufficient strength to fasten to and retain the bone, while also having sufficient biocompatibility for implantation in the patient's body.

[0046] In use, one or more bone fixation devices, such as temporary fixation pins, bone screws (e.g., locking and / or unlocking), fasteners, or other compression devices, can be used to connect, secure, and fix bone plates to the patient's bone. In some embodiments, the bone fixation device may be made of the same material as the bone plate. In other embodiments, the bone fixation device may be made of a different material than the bone plate.

[0047] Bone fixation devices can be any type of bone fixation device now known or developed hereafter. For example, a bone fixation device can be in the form of a screw and can include any type of external thread, including standard or non-standard threads. For example, the external thread can be arranged as continuous ridges or discontinuous ridges. The external thread can form a portion of a rotation, a full rotation, multiple rotations, a single lead, a multi-lead, or any other thread known in the art. Additionally and / or alternatively, in the case of a locking screw, the head portion of the screw can include any surface that will engage with and lie within a locking screw opening formed in the bone plate. For example, the head portion can include threads. Alternatively, the head portion can include a series of pits, ridges, protrusions, textured areas, or any other surface that can fasten the screw.

[0048] The bone fixation device can be any typical fastener or screw, made of any suitable material. The bone fixation device may include an opening for receiving an actuator to drive the bone fixation device through the bone plate and into the patient's bone. The opening can be of any size and shape; for example, it may have a hexagonal configuration to receive a corresponding hexagonal actuator, Phillips head screw, flathead screw, star configuration, Torx screw, or any other suitable configuration that can cooperate with the actuator to drive the bone fixation device through the bone plate and into the patient's bone.

[0049] The shaft of the bone fixation device can be fully threaded, partially threaded, or helical, and / or may include one or more pins, deployable claws, expandable elements, or any feature that allows the shaft to engage the patient's bone. The shaft may also be unthreaded, allowing the bone fixation device to take the form of a pin or pin. This alternative implementation may be preferred in certain procedures, for example, where the primary objective is to prevent bone segment tilting, or in procedures where there is no concern about the bone fixation device being pulled out of the patient's bone, and therefore the shaft does not need to be threaded or otherwise configured to engage the patient's bone. The end of the shaft may be a self-tapping or self-drilling tip.

[0050] In any event, as will be apparent from the remaining disclosure, the focus of this disclosure is on exemplary embodiments of bone plates including one or more features arranged and configured to provide increased flexibility for positioning and securing the bone plate. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration of bone plates and / or bone fixation devices, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0051] According to one or more features of this disclosure, the bone plate may include a length-adjustable elongated hole of variable length in its axial portion. In use, the size of the length-adjustable elongated hole may be configured to receive a bone fixation device. In one embodiment, the elongated hole may be positioned adjacent to and offset from one or more bone fixation openings formed in the bone plate. Alternatively and / or additionally, the length-adjustable elongated hole may be arranged and configured to communicate with adjacent pairs of bone fixation openings such that the length-adjustable elongated hole traverses the adjacent bone fixation opening (e.g., the length-adjustable elongated hole intersects with an adjacent locking screw opening formed in the bone plate).

[0052] As will be described in more detail below, in some embodiments, the length-adjustable elongated orifice is arranged and configured to receive one or more bone fixation devices such that the bone fixation devices can be locked within the elongated orifice at any location along its length. Additionally and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the length-adjustable elongated orifice may include a concave region arranged and configured such that a bone fixation device (e.g., a cortical bone screw) can be recessed into the axial portion of a bone plate.

[0053] As will be described in more detail below, a method for fracture reduction using a bone plate having a length-adjusting elongated hole formed in an axial portion of the bone plate is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the following steps: (1) reducing a portion of the bone plate and fixing (e.g., connecting, fixing, fastening, etc.) that portion to the patient's bone; (2) inserting a bone fixation device (e.g., a cortical bone screw) into the length-adjusting elongated hole, the bone screw being located on one side or a first side of the length-adjusting elongated hole, the bone plate temporarily abutting against the patient's bone; (3) reducing the amount of temporary compression from the bone fixation device and adjusting the length of the patient's bone (compression or retraction); (4) compressing the bone plate against the patient's bone using the previously inserted bone fixation device; and (5) inserting a bone fixation device (e.g., a locking screw) into any one of adjacent bone fixation openings (e.g., locking screw openings) formed in the bone plate.

[0054] In use, the inclusion of length-adjusting elongated holes allows surgeons to facilitate length adjustment without compromising fracture reduction. Additionally and / or alternatively, surgeons can position the plate relative to the patient's bone for the required maintenance, as the length-adjusting elongated holes eliminate the need for additional instruments to constrain plate translation. Additionally and / or alternatively, surgeons can facilitate length adjustment using the bone plate without requiring multiple additional instruments for length adjustment. Additionally and / or alternatively, the bone plate facilitates length adjustment without sacrificing or eliminating any bone fixation openings.

[0055] refer to Figure 1-4 Various embodiments of bone plates 100 of various lengths for repairing fractures in the bones of patients are disclosed. As will be described herein, the bone plate 100 may be in the form of a distal femoral plate. That is, the bone plate 100 may be arranged and configured to be positioned adjacent to the distal femur of the patient. However, as previously mentioned, it should be understood that the bone plate 100 may have various shapes and / or configurations, and may be provided with any suitable shape and / or configuration, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, depending on the location and type of the bone being immobilized in the patient. For example, the bone plate 100 may be arranged and configured to cross, contact, etc., the distal femur, proximal femur, distal tibia, proximal tibia, proximal humerus, distal humerus, fibula, ulna, radius, distal radius, foot bones or hand bones, diaphysis fractures of long bones, etc.

[0056] According to one or more features of this disclosure, as will be described herein, the bone plate 100 includes one or more features that facilitate positioning and fastening to the bone of a patient (e.g., the distal femur of the patient).

[0057] As shown in the figure, the bone plate 100 may include a bottom surface 102 and a top surface 104 facing the bone. Additionally, the bone plate 100 may include a head portion 110 and a shaft portion 115 having a central longitudinal axis CL. Furthermore, the bone plate 100 includes a plurality of bone fixation openings 120 formed therein for receiving a plurality of bone fixation devices (not shown) to attach the bone plate 100 to the patient's bone. In use, the bone fixation openings 120 may be locking screw openings 122 (in... Figure 1 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 (best viewed from the center) or variable angle opening 124 (in) Figure 8 and Figure 9 (Best seen in the form of a plate). That is, as those skilled in the art will understand, the locking screw opening 122 may include a plurality of threads formed on its inner surface for mating with threads formed on the outer surface of the head portion of the bone fixation device. Arranged in this way, the bone fixation device is locked to the bone plate 100 via the locking screw opening 122. That is, as those skilled in the art will understand, the bone fixation device is screwed through one of the locking screw openings 122 formed in the bone plate 100 and into the patient's bone. The bone fixation device is fastened to the bone plate 100 via threads formed on the head portion of the bone fixation device that cooperate with the threaded locking screw opening 122 formed in the bone plate 100. This fastens the bone plate 100 relative to the patient's bone and provides rigid fixation between the bone plate 100 and the bone fixation device. That is, because the threads of the head portion of the bone fixation device interlock with those formed in the locking screw opening 122 of the bone plate 100, the plate 100 and the bone fixation device constitute a stable system or structure, and the stability of the fracture can depend on or be achieved by means of the structural stiffness. Locking the bone fixation device into the bone plate 100 can achieve angular and axial stability and eliminate the possibility of the bone fixation device shifting, sliding or displacing, thereby reducing the risk of postoperative reduction loss.

[0058] As previously mentioned, the bone fixation opening 120 can also take the form of a variable-angle opening 124 formed therein for receiving a non-locking or variable-angle (e.g., multi-axial) bone fixation device. In use, the variable-angle opening 124 is arranged and configured such that a bone fixation device inserted therein can achieve a greater range of insertion angles than, for example, conventional locking bone fixation devices (e.g., locking screws) threaded to the bone plate 100. For example, in one embodiment, the angular position of the bone fixation device can be rotated through a range of approximately ±15 degrees, but the permissible range of multi-axis rotation can vary, including greater than and less than fifteen degrees. In use, the variable-angle opening 124 can be provided in any suitable manner, construction, etc., now known or developed hereafter, to enable the bone fixation device to be multi-axis positioned or angled relative to the bone plate 100.

[0059] In one embodiment (as in...) Figure 8 and Figure 9 As best shown in the diagram, the variable-angle opening 124 may include a plurality of fins or protrusions extending radially inward from the inner surface of the variable-angle opening 124 and into the internal region of the variable-angle opening 124, and configured to engage or cooperate with the head portion of the bone fixation device. In use, the fins or protrusions engage the head portion of the bone fixation device to secure the bone fixation device within the variable-angle opening 124 in a desired position and at a desired angle. Additional information regarding the operation and construction of the fins can be found in the following patents: U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 706,877, first filed July 25, 2005, now entitled "Systems and Methods for Using Polyaxial Plates"; U.S. Patent Application No. 10,092,337, filed June 15, 2012, entitled "Variable Angle Locking Implant"; and U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 858,727, filed June 7, 2012, entitled "Orthopedic Implant with Improvement Variable Angle Locking Mechanism," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the bone plate 100 may further include one or more temporary fixation holes 140. As shown in the figure, in Figure 1 In the depicted embodiment, eight temporary fixation holes 140 are shown, but as those skilled in the art will understand, the bone plate 100 may include any number of temporary fixation holes.

[0061] refer to Figure 4 The bone plates 100 can be configured in various sizes. For example, bone plate 100A may include nineteen (19) bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115 of bone plate 100. Bone plate 100B may include seventeen (17) bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115, bone plate 100C may include sixteen (16) bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115, bone plate 100D may include thirteen (13) bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115, and bone plate 100E may include eleven (11) bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115. Figure 4This is merely an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that any length of bone plate and any number of bone fixation openings 120 can be used. Additionally, the bone plate 100 may include any number of bone fixation openings 120 provided in any configuration of locking screw openings 122 and variable-angle openings 124, depending on the length of the bone plate 100 and / or the intended location of use.

[0062] As shown in the figure, and according to one or more features of this disclosure, the bone plate 100 includes a length-adjusting elongated hole 130. As will be described herein, in use, the length-adjusting elongated hole 130 is arranged and configured to receive a bone fixation device, such as a bone screw, fastener, or other compression device. The length-adjusting elongated hole 130 may be provided at any suitable length. Furthermore, although the bone plate 100 is shown and described as including a single length-adjusting elongated hole, the bone plate may include more than one length-adjusting elongated hole, for example, two, three, or more.

[0063] In use, according to one or more features of this disclosure, the bone fixation device located within the length-adjusting elongated orifice 130 can be initially tightened or tensioned to the fractured bone beneath the patient. Thereafter, the bone fixation device can be partially loosened without removal, allowing adjustment of the patient's bone (e.g., loosening the bone fixation device within the length-adjusting elongated orifice 130 allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the bone fixation device relative to the bone plate 100, and thus adjust the position of the patient's bone). Once properly adjusted, the bone fixation device located within the length-adjusting elongated orifice 130 can be retightened.

[0064] refer to Figure 5 A first example embodiment of the length-adjustable elongated aperture 130 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the central longitudinal axis of the elongated aperture 130 may be positioned offset from or at a distance from the central longitudinal axis CL of the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100. This arrangement, in one embodiment, as shown, allows the elongated aperture 130 to be positioned adjacent to and offset from a bone fixation opening 120 (e.g., a locking screw opening 122) formed in the bone plate 100. Therefore, including the elongated aperture 130 does not sacrifice, eliminate, or prevent the surgeon from using the bone fixation opening (e.g., the bone plate 100 may include the same construction and number of bone fixation openings 120 regardless of whether the length-adjustable elongated aperture 130 is included). Furthermore, placing the bone fixation device within the length-adjustable elongated aperture 130 does not impede the surgeon's use of any other bone fixation openings 120 formed in the bone plate 100).

[0065] This arrangement allows for the insertion of a bone fixation device into the elongated hole 130 during use, temporarily attaching the end of the bone plate 100 to the patient's underlying fractured bone. Subsequently, adjustment of the underlying bone can be performed by a surgeon. The underlying bone can be compressed or retracted as needed. When properly positioning the underlying bone, an additional bone fixation device can be inserted into a bone fixation opening 120, which includes a bone fixation opening positioned adjacent to and offset from the elongated hole 130. Therefore, including the elongated opening 130 does not sacrifice or limit the availability of any bone fixation opening during the surgical procedure.

[0066] In one embodiment, the elongated aperture 130 is arranged and configured such that a bone fixation device can be positioned and locked in any location along the length of the elongated aperture 130, thereby facilitating compression and retraction. In some embodiments, the elongated aperture 130 has a length L that is at least twice the diameter D of a bone fixation opening 120 (e.g., a locking screw opening 122) formed in the bone plate 100 (e.g., the length L may be equal to the spacing of a plurality of bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100). Additionally, the elongated aperture 130 may include a width W sized to receive a bone fixation device. This arrangement allows the bone fixation device to be locked within the elongated aperture 130 in use. In the depicted embodiment, the width W of the elongated aperture 130 is sized to receive the axis of a cortical bone screw.

[0067] refer to Figure 6 An alternative embodiment of the bone plate 100 including a length-adjusting elongated hole 230 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the central longitudinal axis of the length-adjusting elongated hole 230 is positioned (e.g., aligned with) generally along (e.g., with) the central longitudinal axis of the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100. In use, as shown, the elongated hole 230 may include a length L arranged and configured to lie between adjacent bone fixation openings 120. Additionally, the elongated hole 230 may include a width W sized to receive a temporary fixation pin. In use, the size (e.g., diameter) of the temporary fixation pin may be less than or smaller than the size of any initiator hole used for mounting the bone fixation device. Arranged in this way, a temporary bone fixation pin can be inserted into the elongated hole 230 in use. Thereafter, adjustment of the underlying bone can be performed by a surgeon. The underlying bone can be compressed or retracted as needed. When the underlying bone is properly positioned, if the underlying bone is adjusted to such an extent that the bone fixation opening is now aligned with the hole formed for the temporary bone fixation pin, the bone fixation device can be inserted into the hole formed in the patient's bone. Therefore, including the elongated opening 230 will not sacrifice, eliminate, or prevent the use of bone fixation openings by surgeons.

[0068] In one embodiment, the elongated aperture 230 is arranged and configured such that the bone fixation device can be positioned and locked in any location along the length of the elongated aperture 230, thereby facilitating compression and retraction. In some embodiments, the elongated aperture 230 may include a length L at least twice the diameter D of the bone fixation opening 120 (e.g., locking screw opening 122) formed in the bone plate 100. Additionally, the elongated aperture 230 may include a width W sized to receive the bone fixation device. This arrangement allows the bone fixation device to be locked within the elongated aperture 230 in use. In the depicted embodiment, the width W of the elongated aperture 130 is sized to receive the axis of the cortical bone screw.

[0069] refer to Figure 7 An alternative embodiment of the bone plate 100 including a length-adjustable elongated hole 330 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the central longitudinal axis of the length-adjustable elongated hole 330 is positioned (e.g., aligned with) generally along (or aligned with) the central longitudinal axis of the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100. As shown, the length-adjustable elongated hole 330 may extend together with or communicate with adjacent pairs of bone fixation openings 120. Thus, in use, the locking screw opening 122 may be located on either side of the length-adjustable elongated hole 330. This arrangement achieves bilateral locking of the bone fixation device within the length-adjustable elongated hole 330, thereby facilitating compression and retraction. In one embodiment, the length-adjustable elongated hole 330 is arranged and configured such that the bone fixation device can be positioned and locked at any location along the length of the length-adjustable elongated hole 330, thereby facilitating compression and retraction.

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, bone fixation openings 120, such as locking screw openings 122, can be mirror-offset to each other (e.g., slightly positioned on either side of the central longitudinal axis of the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100).

[0071] This arrangement, including the length-adjustable elongated opening 330, does not sacrifice, eliminate, or prevent the surgeon from using bone fixation openings (e.g., including the length-adjustable elongated opening 330 does not replace locking screw openings, or prevent the surgeon from using any locking screw opening 122 during the surgical procedure). In use, the bone fixation device can be inserted into the length-adjustable elongated opening 330. Subsequently, adjustment of the underlying bone can be performed by the surgeon. The underlying bone can be compressed or retracted as needed. When properly positioning the underlying bone, the initial bone fixation device can be positioned within one of the bone fixation openings 120 communicating with the length-adjustable elongated opening 330. Alternatively, additional bone fixation devices can be inserted into one of the bone fixation openings 120 communicating with the length-adjustable elongated opening 330. Therefore, including the elongated opening 330 does not sacrifice any bone fixation opening.

[0072] In some embodiments, the elongated aperture 330 has a length L that is at least twice the diameter D of the bone fixation opening 120 (e.g., locking screw opening 122) formed in the bone plate 100 (e.g., the length L may be equal to the spacing of the plurality of bone fixation openings 120 formed in the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100). Additionally, the elongated aperture 330 may include a width W sized to receive a bone fixation device. This arrangement allows the bone fixation device to be locked within the elongated aperture 330 during use. In the depicted embodiment, the width W of the elongated aperture 130 is sized to receive the axis of a cortical bone screw.

[0073] In some embodiments, reference Figure 8 The length-adjusting elongated holes 130, 230, and 330 may include concave or recessed areas 150 on the upper surface 104 of the bone plate 100. Figure 8 In the embodiments depicted, the concave region 150 extends generally along the longitudinal portions of the elongated holes 130, 230, 330. In some embodiments, reference is made to... Figure 9 The elongated holes 130, 230, and 330 may include recesses 160 on the bone-facing surface 102 of the bone plate 100. Figure 9 In the embodiment depicted, the recess 160 is spaced apart from the bone-facing surface 102 and is generally planar. In use, the recess 160 provides additional clearance between the underlying bone and the elongated holes 130, 230, 330 to facilitate the use of large-diameter bone fixation devices.

[0074] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The variable-angle opening 124 formed in the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100 can be positioned along and / or adjacent to the outer periphery or surface 106 of the axial portion 115 of the bone plate 100 (e.g., the variable-angle opening 124 can be positioned closer to the outer periphery 106 of the bone plate 100 than the locking screw opening 122, which can be positioned more centrally and substantially along the central longitudinal axis CL of the axial portion 115). This arrangement, including the length-adjusting elongated holes 130, 230, 330, does not sacrifice or prevent the inclusion of the additional locking screw opening 122.

[0075] refer to Figure 10An example embodiment of the surgical method 400 is also disclosed. In the first step 402, the fracture can be reduced. For example, reduction can be achieved by manually manipulating the patient's bone. In the second step 410, a bone fixation device can be inserted into the patient's bone through a bone plate 100, the bone fixation device being located on one side of the patient's fracture line. For example, a cortical bone screw can be inserted into length-adjusting elongated holes 130, 230, 330, and the bone plate 100 is temporarily held to the patient's bone. In the third step 412, the bone fixation device can be inserted into one of a plurality of bone fixation openings 120 formed in the bone plate 100. The bone fixation device secures the other side of the bone plate 100 to the patient's bone. The bone fixation device is located on the other side of the fracture line. However, alternatively, a first bone fixation device can be coupled to one of the plurality of bone fixation openings 120, and a second bone fixation device can be inserted into the length-adjusting elongated holes 130, 230, 330.

[0076] Next, the length of the patient's bone (e.g., a limb) can be adjusted. This adjustment can be compression or retraction. In some embodiments, prior to adjustment, the temporary compression of the bone fixation device through the length adjustment orifices 130, 230, 330 can be reduced. In some embodiments, after length adjustment, the previously inserted bone fixation device located in the length adjustment orifices 130, 230, 330 can be used to compress the bone plate 100 downwards back into the patient's bone. Finally, one or more additional locking screws can be inserted into one or more bone fixation openings 120 adjacent to the length adjustment orifices 130, 230, 330.

[0077] While this disclosure sets forth certain embodiments, many modifications, alterations, and variations of the described embodiments are possible without departing from the field and scope of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the described embodiments but have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims and their equivalents. The discussion of any embodiment is illustrative only and is not intended to imply that the scope of this disclosure (including the claims) is limited to these embodiments. In other words, while illustrative embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the inventive concept can be practiced and used in other ways, and the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including such variations unless limited by prior art.

[0078] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit this disclosure to one or more of the forms disclosed herein. For example, for the purpose of simplifying this disclosure, various features of this disclosure have been grouped together in one or more embodiments or constructions. However, it should be understood that various features of certain embodiments or constructions of this disclosure may be combined in alternative embodiments or constructions. Furthermore, the following claims are hereby included, by reference, in this detailed description, wherein each claim is an independent embodiment of this disclosure.

[0079] As used herein, an element or step described in the singular and preceded by the word "a / an" should be understood to not exclude a plurality of elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" in this disclosure are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also include the described features.

[0080] As used herein, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” are open-ended expressions for combining and separating in operation. The terms “a” (or “one type”), “one or more,” and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. All directional references (e.g., near, far, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, up, down, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise directions) are used only for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of this disclosure and do not impose limitations, particularly regarding the location, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, connection references (e.g., joining, attaching, linking, connecting, and combining) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between sets of elements as well as intermediate members that move relative to the elements. Thus, a connection reference does not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and have a fixed relationship with each other. All rotational references describe relative movement between various elements. Identification references (e.g., first, second, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes reflected in the accompanying drawings may vary.

Claims

1. A bone plate, comprising: The shaft portion includes a central longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of bone fixation openings extending between the upper surface and the bottom surface, each of the plurality of bone fixation openings being arranged and configured to receive a bone fixation device to attach the bone plate to the patient's bone. as well as A length-adjusting elongated hole is formed in the axial portion, the length-adjusting elongated hole including a central longitudinal axis, the length-adjusting elongated hole being arranged and configured such that the length of the patient's bone can be adjusted without completely separating the bone plate from the patient's bone; and The central longitudinal axis of the length-adjusting elongated hole is aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. The length-adjusting elongated hole extends between a first bone fixation opening and a second bone fixation opening formed in the shaft portion of the bone plate. The length-adjusting elongated hole communicates with the first bone fixation opening and the second bone fixation opening. The first bone fixation opening includes a first central axis, and the second bone fixation opening includes a second central axis. The first central axis of the first bone fixation opening is located on the side opposite to the second central axis of the second bone fixation opening relative to the central longitudinal axis of the length-adjusting elongated hole.

2. The bone plate according to claim 1, wherein, The bone fixation opening is a locking screw opening.

3. The bone plate according to claim 1, wherein, The length-adjustable elongated orifice includes a length at least twice the diameter of the bone fixation opening.

4. The bone plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The length-adjusting elongated orifice includes a concave or recessed region arranged and configured such that the bone fixation device can be recessed relative to the upper surface of the bone plate.

5. The bone plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The length-adjusting elongated hole includes a recessed portion on the bottom surface.

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