Fixing device

Abstract

A fixing device for fixing a bone (5) or a bone replacement part or a bone stabilization part comprises at least two stabilization plates (1) and at least one force transmission element (2). The force transmission element (2) is designed to transmit a force from one stabilizing plate (1) to at least one other stabilizing plate (1). The stabilizing plates (1) are connected or can be connected to each other by means of at least one force transmission element (2) in such a manner that the stabilizing plates (1) can be connected to each other. That is, the force transmission element (2) is mounted or mountable to or integrally formed with one stabilizing plate (1) by means of a first part (21) and is mounted or mountable to or integrally formed with the other stabilizing plate (1) by means of a second part (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a bone or a bone replacement part or a bone stabilizing part. Background Art

[0002] Especially for elderly patients, even the slightest external pressure often causes fractures. One reason is that osteoporosis weakens the bone substance. The corresponding fractures must be surgically fixed, and thus so-called bone plates or stabilizing plates are usually used, which are fixed to the bone with screws. For example, it is known to fix a bone with two such fixed-angle stabilizing plates, for example, as known from DE 10 2019 110 633 A1. In addition to fixing the individual bone plates with screws screwed into the bone, the opposing bone plates are also connected by screws penetrating the bone. However, due to the high cost of this measure in terms of operation, the bone is greatly weakened, so that when subjected to external forces, the corresponding fixing device may fail.

[0003] For example, it is also known from DE 10 2020 116 610 A1 to fix a bone plate by means of a suspension band guided around the bone. However, the disadvantage here is that during a complex surgical procedure, the corresponding suspension band, mainly made of wire, must be guided through the soft parts around the bone and then pulled together and fixed. In most cases, several such suspension bands must be used. This reduces the blood supply to the bone and ultimately hinders the healing of the fracture. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device by which the above-mentioned disadvantages do not occur, in particular to prevent further weakening of the bone.

[0005] This is achieved by a fixing device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a fixing device for fixing a bone or a bone replacement part or a bone stabilizing part, which comprises at least two stabilizing plates and at least one force transmission element, and the force transmission element is designed to transmit force from one stabilizing plate to at least one other stabilizing plate. The stabilizing plates are here connected to each other or can be connected to each other by means of the at least one force transmission element in such a way that the force transmission element is fixed or can be fixed to one stabilizing plate by means of a first part or is integrally formed with this stabilizing plate and is fixed or can be fixed to another stabilizing plate by means of a second part or is integrally formed with this other stabilizing plate. In this way, the force transmission element can be regarded as a so-called fixing tensioner in a mechanical sense. Thus, the force transmission element is in a position to receive and transmit forces, and thus to receive and transmit torques and linear acting forces. As a result, the force acting on one stabilizing plate is transmitted into this force transmission element and thus to another stabilizing plate. By mechanically coupling the stabilizing plates via the force transmission element according to the present invention, the external forces acting on the bone fixed by this fixing device can be distributed by the existing stabilizing plates. Due to this force distribution, the fixing device according to the present invention is generally more suitable for fixing a bone or a structural part.

[0007] The force transmission element connected to the stabilizing plate can here be arranged completely outside the bone to be fixed by this fixing device or the bone replacement part or the bone stabilizing part to be fixed by this fixing device. In this way, the force received from the force transmission element is not directly released to the bone to be fixed. In particular, it is possible to avoid the pressure on the bone to be fixed, which would impede the blood flow in the bone.

[0008] Thus, by means of the at least one force transmission element, the stabilizing plates are connected to each other or can be connected to each other in such a way that the bone fixed by this fixing device, or the bone replacement part or the bone stabilizing part fixed by this fixing device, is partially enclosed in a sleeve-like manner by the force transmission element and the stabilizing plates.

[0009] It should be noted here that, according to the present invention, a plurality of force transmission elements can also be used, and all of these force transmission elements can be configured like the following force transmission element. In this way, the distribution of the forces acting on the stabilizing plates is evenly borne by several force transmission elements.

[0010] The fixing device according to the present invention can be designed as a one-piece. In this case, the stabilizing plates and the force transmission element can thus be manufactured as a single part. It can also be provided that only one stabilizing plate and the force transmission element are integrally formed, and the free part of the force transmission element is connected to another stabilizing plate by means of the connecting piece described below.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the fixing device according to the invention comprises one or more connecting elements by means of which the stabilizing plate and the at least one force transmission element are fixed to each other or can be fixed to each other, and the connecting elements are designed to connect the stabilizing plate in a force-transmitting manner via the force transmission element. It may be provided here that the above-mentioned first part of the force transmission element, preferably the first end, is fastened or can be fastened to one stabilizing plate via a first connecting element, and the above-mentioned second part of the force transmission element, preferably the second end, is fixed or can be fixed to another stabilizing plate via a second connecting element which is different from and not directly mechanically connected to the first connecting element. In this case, not being directly mechanically connected means that the two connecting elements are different constituent parts and they are not directly connected to each other. These connecting elements are more preferably fixing angle screws.

[0012] The force transmission element is preferably designed to be able to absorb tensile and compressive forces. Additionally, it is advantageous if the force transmission element is designed to be connected or capable of being connected to the stabilizing plate such that it transfers torque and / or linear acting forces acting about at least one axis to at least two spatial directions.

[0013] The less the force transmission element itself deforms under the action of a linear force or torque, the better it can distribute the rising forces to the stabilizing plates connected thereto.

[0014] The quality of the force transmission element should be selected according to the expected mechanical stresses. With regard to the material selection, the at least one force transmission element is thus more preferably made of a metallic material, preferably steel or titanium.

[0015] With regard to the geometry, it needs to be adapted therefrom in order to be able to receive and transfer the expected forces or torques. An advantageous embodiment provides that the at least one force transmission element has a bar shape, a U-shape or a bracket shape. These shapes already bring a certain inherent stiffness if the material strength is selected accordingly in each case such that these constituent parts can receive and transfer forces in at least the spatial directions / torsion directions required here.

[0016] The above-mentioned parts of the force transmission element can be designed to preferably abut against the stabilizing plate in a form-fitting manner. In this way, the force can thus be transferred more effectively from one stabilizing plate to another. It is also preferably provided that the parts of the force transmission element are configured for mounting the connecting elements or for the connecting elements to pass through.

[0017] Each of the stabilizing plates preferably includes at least one jack, preferably a threaded hole, for receiving the connecting element. Advantageously, the force transmission element has openings for the connecting element to pass through, preferably having internal threads, and these openings are aligned with the jacks in the stabilizing plate. In a preferred case, the connecting element passes through the opening in the form of a screw and is screwed into the corresponding jack in the stabilizing plate.

[0018] The fixing device is installed according to the following method (which does not form part of the claimed invention):

[0019] a. Fix the bone or bone replacement part or bone stabilization part to be fixed in the desired position;

[0020] b. Fix the stabilizing plate preferably by screws to the intended position on the bone or bone replacement part or bone stabilization part;

[0021] c. Before or after step b., fasten at least one of the above force transmission elements to the stabilizing plate by means of a connecting member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 - 5 a side view showing a bone fixed with the fixing device according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A, in which a first fastening manner of the force transmission element according to the present invention is presented;

[0024] Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A, in which a second fastening manner of the force transmission element according to the present invention is presented; Figure 1 a perspective view showing a possible embodiment of the force transmission element according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 a perspective view showing another embodiment of the force transmission element according to the present invention. Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Figure 4 An exemplary use of the fixing device according to the present invention is shown. The bone 5 to be treated is fixed left and right by two stabilizing plates 1. One of the stabilizing plates 1 (the left one in the figure) is fixed to the bone here by fixing elements 4, which are preferably bone screws. More precisely, the bone 5 or bone fragment to be treated is fixedly arranged on the left stabilizing plate by the fixing elements 4. This fixing is supported by another stabilizing plate 1 arranged opposite the first stabilizing plate 1 on the bone 5 in order to stabilize the bone from the other side. Basically, the two stabilizing plates 1 can also be fixed to the bone by bone screws.

[0027] Figure 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Figure 1

[0029] The second stabilizing plate 1 is connected to the first stabilizing plate 1 by a force transmission element 2. This is achieved by a connecting piece 3, which is preferably a screw, by means of which the force transmission element 2 is fixedly screwed to the relevant stabilizing plate 1. Using the force transmission element 2, forces are transmitted from one stabilizing plate 1 to the other, and these forces do not have to point through the bone 5. A direct screw connection through the bone would indeed also achieve such direct force transmission, but would further weaken the bone 5 through which the screw has to pass.

[0030] Figure 2 Shows a cross-section along the section line A-A through Figure 1 It shows the bone 5 held on the left and right by the stabilizing plates 1. The right stabilizing plate 1 is connected to the left stabilizing plate 1 by a force transmission element 2. The two angled ends 21 of the force transmission element 2 are connected to an intermediate part 22, which in this embodiment is arranged to bend outwards. The angled shape of the ends 21 is designed such that the ends 21 of the force transmission element 2 are supported on the side of the stabilizing plate 1 in a form-locking manner or at least in an approximately form-locking manner. In the illustrated embodiment, there is an opening, preferably a threaded opening, in the angled part of the ends 21, which is aligned with a corresponding threaded hole in the stabilizing plate 1 and is then fixed to the stabilizing plate 1 with a connecting element 3 (preferably a screw). By this fastening, forces acting on one stabilizing plate 1, such as compressive forces, tensile forces or torsional forces, are transmitted to the other stabilizing plate 1 without imposing a load on the bone 5 or bone fragments.

[0031] Figure 3 Shows a second way of fastening the force transmission element 2 to the stabilizing plate 1. The angled shape of the ends 21 of the force transmission element 2 is shorter. In this embodiment, seen from the intermediate part 22, the threaded hole is located before the angle, such that the force transmission element 2 is fixed to the narrow side of the stabilizing plate 1 by the connecting piece 3.

[0032] Other ways of fixing the force transmission element to the stabilizing plate 1 are also possible. For example, the force transmission element 2 can be connected to one of the stabilizing plates 1 in a material-bonded manner and at the same time connected to the other stabilizing plate 1 in a releasable form-locking manner; the force transmission element can also be integrally formed with one of the stabilizing plates 1.

[0033] Figure 4An embodiment of a force transmission element 2 according to the invention is shown. Where applicable, a slightly outwardly bent middle section 22 connects two angled ends 21, via which the force transmission element 2 is fixed to a stabilization plate 1 (not shown). Openings for the connecting pieces 3 are also not shown. Finally, the force transmission between the stabilization plates 1 must always take place via the force transmission element 2 and, as far as possible, not via the bone 5, which would be relieved of stress by such a fixing. The stiffness of the force transmission element 2 can still be additionally increased if the longitudinal sides of the force transmission element 2 are reinforced or if the force transmission element 2 has a sufficient thickness in terms of its material strength.

[0034] Figure 5 Another conceivable embodiment of a force transmission element 2 is shown. While the end portions 21 arranged on the stabilizing plate 1 have the same or approximately the same design, the middle portion 22 is formed by a straight portion. Figure 4 Compared with the embodiment of the present invention, this has a smaller elastic tendency in terms of compression and tension. Here, it is also possible to achieve torsion stability by adding flanges, reinforcement materials or other suitable measures to the edge.

Claims

1. A fixing device for fixing a bone (5) or a bone replacement part or a bone stabilizing part, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two stabilizing plates (1) and at least one force transmission element (2), the force transmission element (2) being configured to transmit a force from one stabilizing plate (1) to at least one further stabilizing plate (1), characterized in that the stabilizing plates (1) are connected to each other or can be connected to each other by means of the at least one force transmission element (2) in such a way that the force transmission element (2) is fixed or can be fixed to one stabilizing plate (1) or is integrally formed with this stabilizing plate (1) by means of a first part (21) and is fixed or can be fixed to another stabilizing plate (1) or is integrally formed with this other stabilizing plate (1) by means of a second part (21).

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein The force transmission element (2) connected to the stabilizing plate is arranged entirely outside the bone (5) to be fixed with the fixing device, or entirely outside the bone replacement part or the bone stabilizing part to be fixed with the fixing device.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fixing device is made in one piece and / or comprises a connecting element (3) by means of which the stabilizing plates (1) and the at least one force transmission element (2) are fastened or can be fastened to each other, and the connecting element (3) is designed for a force transmission connection of the stabilizing plates (1) by means of the force transmission element (2).

4. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first part (21) of the force transmission element (2), preferably the first end, is fastened or can be fastened to one stabilizing plate (1) by means of a first connecting element (3), and the second part (22) of the force transmission element (2), preferably the second end, is fastened or can be fastened to another stabilizing plate (1) by means of a second connecting element (3) which is different from and not mechanically coupled to the first connecting element.

5. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The force transmission element (2) is designed to be able to withstand tensile and compressive forces.

6. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The force transmission element (2) is designed or can be connected to the stabilizing plate (1) so as to transmit a torque acting about at least one axis.

7. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The force transmission element (2) is designed or can be connected to the stabilizing plate (1) so as to transmit linear forces acting in at least two spatial directions.

8. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connecting element (3) is a screw, preferably a fixed-angle screw.

9. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one force transmission element (2) is made of a metallic material, preferably made of steel or titanium.

10. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one force transmission element (2) has a bar shape, a U shape or a bracket shape.

11. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The parts (21, 22) of the force transmission element (2) are designed to preferably abut against the stabilizing plate in a form-fitting manner.

12. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The parts (21, 22) of the force transmission element (2) are designed for mounting the connecting element (3) or for the connecting element (3) to pass through.

13. The fixing device according to claim 11, characterized in that, Each of the stabilizing plates (1) comprises at least one socket, preferably a threaded hole, for receiving the connecting element (3).

14. The fixing device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The force transmission element (2) has an opening, preferably having an internal thread, for the connecting element (3) to pass through, the opening being flush-aligned with the socket of the stabilizing plate (1).

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