Lateral window plate

Abstract

A pelvic bone plate for use in for stabilizing a fracture of a pelvic bone of a patient includes a brim segment configured to be affixed to a portion of a pelvis of a patient and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment coupled to the brim segment via at least one bridge. The QLS segment can include a bearing surface configured to be arranged directly adjacent to a QLS of the pelvis and an engagement surface substantially opposing the bearing surface that is configured to be engaged by a surgical clamp. The brim segment can include a plurality of openings configured to receive one or more fasteners.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WOLATERAL WINDOW PLATECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. provisional patent application number 63 / 688,350, filed August 29, 2024, entitled “LATERAL WINDOW PLATE,” the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSU E

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants, for instance, configured to be variably coupled to one or more patient bones, bone portions, bone fragments, and / or the like, and more specifically to systems and methods for attaching bone plates for facilitating stabilization of fractures of the pelvis.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Bone fractures are often repaired by securing an orthopedic implant or device to one or more patient bones, bone portions, bone fragments, or the like. For example, treatment of acetabular fracture of the pelvis may include use of a bone plate to stabilize the bone to promote healing. In such treatments, however, minimal bone stock, limited anatomic access, and / or difficulty in obtaining stable internal fixation in the pelvis — particularly in the quadrilateral surface — can contribute to the surgical challenge of internal fixation using conventional bone plate devices. For example, the anatomicalAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO location of the quadrilateral plate is deep, and the bone is thin, surrounded by vital blood vessels and nerves, and is close to organs.

[0004] Accordingly, coupling a bone plate to a patient’s bone, such as a pelvic brim and / or quadrilateral surface of a pelvis, introduces a number of challenges that need to be overcome. For example, some procedures may require a lateral entry in which there is no access to the quadrilateral surface (QLS) that can allow fixation. In such a procedure, it can be necessary to fasten the plate exclusively to the brim portion, but conventional plate designs do not provide appropriate structures for such an approach, and thus surgeons have cut and modified other plate configurations to create a construct that is configured to fix such a fracture.

[0005] It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present disclosure may be useful.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] A pelvic bone plate is disclosed. The pelvic bone plate includes a brim segment configured to be affixed to a portion of a pelvis of a patient and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment coupled to the brim segment via at least one bridge. In some examples, the QLS segment includes a bearing surface configured to be arranged directly adjacent to a QLS of the pelvis and an engagement surface substantially opposing the bearing surfaceAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO that is configured to be engaged by a surgical clamp. In addition, in some examples, the brim segment includes a plurality of openings configured to receive one or more fasteners.

[0008] A method for stabilization of a fracture of a pelvic bone of a patient is also disclosed. The method can include positioning a pelvic bone plate against or across the fracture of the pelvic bone of the patient, the pelvic bone plate comprising a brim segment comprising a plurality of openings and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment coupled to the brim segment via at least one bridge; applying pressure to the QLS segment using a surgical clamp, wherein pressure is applied to an engagement surface of the QLS segment; and installing one or more fasteners into the plurality of openings to affix the brim portion to the pelvic bone.

[0009] In any preceding or subsequent example, the pelvic bone plate is a lateral window bone plate, wherein the brim segment is configured to be affixed on a pelvic brim of the patient.

[0010] In any preceding or subsequent example, a relative position of the QLS segment relative to the brim segment can be adjusted by bending one or more of the at least one bridge.

[0011] In any preceding or subsequent example, the plurality of openings includes at least one non-locking opening and at least one locking opening. In some examples, the plurality of openings includes at least one elongated slot configured to receive a fastener to non-rigidly affix the pelvic bone plate to the pelvis to facilitate adjustment of the pelvic bone plate in an adjustment direction during an implantation procedure. Specifically, in some examples, the plurality of openings includes at least one elongated slot that isAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO substantially perpendicular to the plate. In some examples, the brim segment includes an extension portion having an expanded width relative to a remainder of the brim segment, and one or more openings arranged in the extension portion are offset in a widthwise direction of the brim segment.

[0012] In any preceding or subsequent example, the engagement surface includes a plurality of windows that extend at least partially through a width of the QLS segment.

[0013] In any preceding or subsequent example, the engagement surface includes one or more ridge extending outwardly from the engagement surface. In some examples, the one or more ridge is arranged along one or more perimeter edge of the engagement surface.

[0014] Examples of the present disclosure provide numerous advantages. For example, the pelvic bone plate described herein is particularly designed for a lateral entry in which access to the QLS is via an intrapelvic approach is contraindicated. In this regard, the QLS portion can be stably clamped in a desired position without the use of screws or other fasteners without performing an intrapelvic approach. The present pelvic bone plate thus eliminates the need for surgeons to perform an intrapelvic approach in a setting in which it is contraindicated or is considered to place the patient at high risk for a complication. Surgeons in the past had developed work arounds by creatively cutting existing implants or combine multiple implants, all of which were potentially suboptimal from fixation standpoint and / or placed neurovascular structures at risk during placement. The QLS portion of the present pelvic bone plate can be optimized for containing the QLS, while minimizing injuries to the neurovascular structures.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO

[0015] Further features and advantages of at least some of the examples of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various examples of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] By way of example, specific examples of the disclosed device will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIGS. 1A, IB, and 1C illustrate a front view, a perspective top view, and a top view, respectively, of a pelvic bone plate in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate a front view, a perspective top view, and a top view, respectively, of a pelvic bone plate in accordance with one or more alternative features of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a pelvic bone plate in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a clamp for use with a pelvic bone plate in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of a clamp engaged with a pelvic bone plate in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure.

[0022] The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict various examples of the disclosure, and therefore are not considered as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WODETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Various features or the like of orthopedic bone plates will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more features of the orthopedic bone plates will be shown and described. It should be appreciated that the various features may be used independently of, or in combination, with each other. It will be appreciated that the orthopedic bone plates as disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and may selectively include one or more concepts, features, or functions described herein. As such, the orthopedic bone plates should not be construed as being limited to the specific examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will convey certain features of the orthopedic bone plates to those skilled in the art.

[0024] In accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, an orthopedic bone plate according to the presently disclosed subject matter includes one or more features for enabling, inter alia, increased flexibility, conformity, and fixation for coupling the bone plates to bone, particularly the quadrilateral surface and / or pelvic brim (acetabular rim or brim, pelvic rim or brim, or iliopectineal line; used interchangeably without the intent to limit) of a human pelvis.

[0025] Pelvic fractures pose unique fixation challenges. For example, the anatomical location of the quadrilateral plate is deep, and the bone is thin, surrounded by vital blood vessels and nerves, and is close to organs. Conventional bone plates have been inadequate in buttressing pelvic fractures to provide the proper support to reset comminuted areas of the fractured bone. More specifically, it is challenging for a surgeon to effectively adjustAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO the implant location in multiple planes to achieve an optimal fit within the quadrilateral surface and / or along the pelvic brim. As such, pelvic bone plates are typically implanted with suboptimal placement, which may often lead to poor patient outcomes.

[0026] As such, as will be described herein, the present disclosure discloses a bone plate including one or more features that may be used in combination or singularly, these features are designed and configured to provide increased flexibility in enabling a surgeon to position and / or secure a bone plate across a fracture of a patient pelvic bone. In addition, and / or alternatively, one or more features may be provided to facilitate easier insertion of the bone plate along the patient’s bone and / or to provide improved contouring to facilitate better positioning of the bone plate against the patient’s bone (e.g., better contouring with the pelvic brim). In addition, and / or alternatively, by incorporating the particular type and configuration of a windowed quadrilateral surface segment, some examples may provide a bone plate that is particularly configured for a lateral entry in which no access to the QLS is available for fixation.

[0027] In some examples, a bone plate may include one or more segments configured to be affixed to specific regions of a pelvis. With reference to FIGS. 1A-3, examples of a plate in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure are shown. In any configuration, a bone plate, generally designated 100, includes a brim segment 110 configured to be affixed on or adj acent to the pelvic brim (for instance, the acetabular brim) and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment 120 coupled to the brim segment 110 via at least one bridge 115. In some examples, each bridge 115 is sized, shaped, or otherwise configured to maintain a structural connection between the brim segment 110 to the QLSAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO segment 120 in a desired positional relationship, but the one or more bridge 115 may be have a material composition and / or structural configuration that allows it to be bent to allow the user / surgeon to adjust the relative position of the QLS segment 120 with respect to the brim segment 110.

[0028] In various examples, the brim segment 110 may include a plurality of openings112 (e.g., holes, sleeves, or other apertures) and elongated slots 113 that are each configured to receive various fasteners and / or surgical implantation tools for affixing the bone plate 100 to patient bone. In some examples, the openings 112 and elongated slots113 may be configured to receive fasteners and may include non-locking slots, locking slots, elongated slots, countersunk slots, and / or combinations thereof. As illustrated in the figures, different configurations for the brim segment 110 can include different numbers and arrangements of the openings 112 and elongated slots 113. Referring to a first example configuration shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, in some examples, each of the elongated slots 113 can have substantially similar lengths along a width of the brim segment 110. Alternatively, referring to a second example configuration shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some examples, different ones of the elongated slots 113 can have different lengths. In particular, in the illustrated example, a first elongated slot 113a that is relatively farther from the QLS segment 120 can have a relatively longer opening along a width of the brim segment 110, whereas a second elongated slot 113b arranged in the brim segment 110 relatively nearer to the QLS segment 120 can have a relatively shorter opening along the width of the brim segment 110. In this configuration, the second elongated slot 113b can be sized to allow translation / lateralization of a single fastener that is inserted therein, wherein the firstAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO elongated slot 113a can have a longer opening that is configured to accommodate multiple fasteners (e.g., two or three) to be received thereby while allowing for tr an si ati on / 1 ater al i zati on .

[0029] In addition, in any configuration, in some examples, the openings 112 and elongated slots 113 may have undercuts that allow fasteners to be inserted at any of a range of angles with respect to the brim segment 110 (e.g., at angles as great as approximately ±50°). Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that further changes to the number, arrangement, and / or configuration of the openings 112 and elongated slots 113 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] In any configuration, as will be readily apparent from the remaining disclosure, the focus of the present disclosure is on examples of bone plates including one or more features arranged and configured to provide increased flexibility for positioning and securing the bone plate on, within, adjacent to and / or the like various portions of a human pelvis, including, without limitation the QLS and / or pelvic brim. In this regard, in addition to the brim segment 110 that is configured to extend posteriorly / cranially and that has one or more openings 112 in the form of VA locking holes or non-locking holes, and / or elongated slots 113 as discussed above, the bone plate 100 further includes the QLS segment 120 that is coupled to the brim segment 110 via the at least one bridge 115.

[0031] In contrast to conventional bone plate configurations, however, the QLS segment 120 need not be configured to receive fasteners therethrough. Instead, the QLS segment 120 has a structure that is merely configured to be arranged directly adjacent to a QLS of the pelvis. In some examples, the QLS segment 120 is particularly configured toAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO be clamped in place while the brim segment 110 is anchored to the bone. This configuration can be beneficially applied, for example, to surgical fracture repair procedures in which a lateral window approach is used and thus the surgeon does not have a viable approach for the insertion of fasteners through the QLS segment 120. That is, in use, the QLS segment 120 is arranged and configured to interact with a clamp. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some examples, such a clamp, generally designated 200, can include a first arm 201 that is configured to be positioned against the patient’s anatomy (e.g., percutaneously through the skin) and a second arm 202 that is configured to be placed through the open approach and engage the QLS segment 120 of the bone plate 100. Alternatively or in addition, in some examples, the structure of the QLS segment 120 can include one or more openings that can optionally be used to receive fasteners for additional fixation. In use, the bone plate 100 may be temporarily affixed to the patient’s pelvis. Next, a clamp 200 may be moved into position against the QLS segment 120 of the bone plate 100. The clamp 200 may contact the bone plate 100 via the QLS segment 120 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and as will be discussed in more detail below. Thereafter, the clamp 200 may be used to lateralize the bone plate (e.g., clamp presses laterally against the bone plate to move, compress, squeeze, etc. the QLS segment 120 of the plate 100 against the patient’s pelvis). Finally, the plate 100 can be more securely affixed to the patient’s bone using the plurality of openings 112 and elongated slots 113 formed in the brim segment 110. In some examples, a fastener (e.g., a non-locking 3.5 mm screw) can be inserted in the most preferable aspect of a posterior one of elongated slots 113.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO

[0032] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1A-3, the QLS segment 120 includes one or more features that facilitate this use of the QLS segment 120. In some examples, the size and / or shape of the QLS segment 120 is designed to provide a sufficient bearing surface 121 that is configured to be positioned against the QLS of the pelvis such that the bone plate 100 can be stably positioned against the QLS of the pelvis during fixation of the brim segment 110. In addition, in some examples, the QLS segment 120 further has a size and / or configuration that can be readily engaged by a surgical clamp. In addition, in some examples, the bone plate 100 can include one or more openings configured to receive a K- wire. Specifically, in some examples, one or more K-wire opening can be provided in the brim segment 110.

[0033] In some examples, size and configuration of the QLS segment 120 can be optimized to provide sufficient surface area to capture the QLS of the patient while minimizing risk of injury and / or irritation of the patient’s obturator neurovascular bundle. In this way, the size of the QLS segment 120 can be significantly smaller than the suprapectineal plate and other plates in the market. Furthermore, an anterior portion of the QLS segment 120 can be smoothed out and ramped to decrease impact on the obturator nerve.

[0034] In some examples, the QLS segment 120 includes an engagement surface 122 substantially opposing the bearing surface 121 that is textured and / or perforated to provide an enhanced grip surface with which a clamp can be engaged. In the illustrated examples, this texturing of the engagement surface 122 of the QLS segment 120 is provided by a plurality of windows 123 that extend at least partially through a width of the QLS segmentAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO120. In some examples, the windows 123 both provide such a textured grip surface and reduce the amount of material used to form the QLS segment 120. Further, in some examples, the windows 123 can be sized or configured to receive a tip 203 of the second arm 202 of the clamp 200 that is used to position and lateralize the bone plate 100. In addition, as discussed above, in some examples, although the QLS segment 120 need not be configured to receive fasteners therethrough, one or more of the windows 123 can be sized such that an appropriate fastener (e.g., a 3.5 mm non-locking screw) can engage the QLS segment 120 in a situation in which additional fixation to the QLS of the patient is desirable.

[0035] In any configuration, those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the configuration of the plurality of windows 123 is designed to provide balance among considerations of maintaining a desired strength and rigidity of the QLS segment 120, distributing clamping pressure, providing the windows 123 to provide surface texture, reducing weight of the bone plate 100. In addition, the plurality of windows 123 can be configured to allow the surgeon to visualize the underlying bone portion while placing the bone plate 100 into position and / or to allow the surgeon to visualize the underlying bone via radiographic techniques without the generally radiopaque bone plate 100 interrupting the surgeon's view.

[0036] In some examples, the QLS segment 120 further includes one or more ridges 124 that are raised relative to the engagement surface 122 of the QLS segment 120. In some examples, the one or more ridges 124 are arranged at one or more edge of the engagement surface 122 and are configured to operate as stops to prevent a clamp engaged with theAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WOQLS segment 120 from slipping off the engagement surface 122 past the respective edge of the QLS segment 120. In some examples, the one or more ridges 124 assist in guiding, holding, and / or positioning of the clamp (e.g., act to prevent, or at least minimize, the risk that the clamp will disengage or fall off the bone plate 100). In some examples, the one or more ridges 124 extend from the engagement surface 122 in a direction substantially opposing the bearing surface 121.

[0037] With the QLS segment 120 being configured to be securely held in a desired position, the brim segment 110 can be configured to receive one or more screws or other fasteners to affix the brim segment 110 to the pelvis of the patient. In some examples, because no fixation is provided by the QLS segment 120, the brim segment 110 can be particularly configured to receive an array of fasteners configured to provide stable fixation of the bone plate 100. As shown in the illustrated examples, the plurality of elongated slots 113 can include one or more non-locking slots, locking slots, elongated slots, countersunk slots, and / or combinations thereof that are offset relative to a general longitudinal arrangement of the brim segment 110. Specifically, in some examples, the brim segment 110 includes an extension portion 114 that is wider than the remainder of the brim segment 110 (and wider than the brim segment of conventional pelvic bone plates). In this configuration, multiple openings 112 can be provided across the width of the extension portion 114 and / or one or more elongated slots 113 in the extension portion 114 can extend in a widthwise direction of the brim segment 110 and is configured to allow increased range for lateralization of the bone plate 100 during fixation. In some examples, the elongated slots 113 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the brimAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO segment 110. In some examples, the arrangement of multiple openings 112 and / or at least one elongated slot 113 can provide additional points of fixation in the posterior column. In some examples, the elongated slots 113 can accommodate multiple fasteners (e.g., two or more screws). In this configuration, the multiple points of fixation can be beneficial to secure the bone plate 100 to poor quality bone structures, such as those of elderly patients with anterior column posterior hemi -transverse (ACPHT) fractures.

[0038] In use, one or more screws can be initially positioned within one or more of the extended slots formed in the extension portion 114 of the brim segment 110 to initially hold the bone plate 100 against the patient’s bone (e.g., pelvis) while enabling the bone plate 100 to still move relative to the patient’s bone. Thereafter, the clamp 200 can be inserted and positioned against the QLS segment 120. Next, using the clamp 200, the bone plate 100 can be lateralized against the patient’s bone (e.g., pelvis). Once the process of lateralizing the bone plate 100 has been completed and the bone plate 100 has been positioned in its final position, additional screws can be inserted through the openings 112 and / or in the elongated slots 113 formed in the brim segment 110 to permanently affix the bone plate 100 to the patient’s bone. In some examples, the bone plate 100 is arranged and configured so that the extension portion 114 aligns with the patient’s posterior columns.

[0039] In some examples, elongated slots may allow variable positioning of a screw within the slot. More specifically, elongated slots may allow for medial / lateral movement, superior / inferior movement, angular movement (or rotation), and other repositioning of the bone plate.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO

[0040] In some examples, one or more of the openings 112 may be in the form of a variable angled opening 112a that is configured for receiving a non-locking or variable angled (e.g., polyaxial) bone fastener. In use, a variable angled opening 112a can be arranged and configured to enable the bone fastener inserted therein to achieve a greater range of insertion angles as compared to, for example, a conventional locking screw that is threadedly coupled to the bone plate 100. For example, in some examples, the angular position of the bone fastener may be rotated through a range of approximately ± 15 degrees, although the range of allowable polyaxial rotation can vary, including greater and less than the fifteen degrees. Non-limiting angles may include about 10 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 75 degrees, and any value or range between any of the foregoing (including endpoints). In use, a variable angled opening 112a may be provided in any suitable manner, configuration, etc. now known or hereafter developed for enabling polyaxial positioning or angling of the bone fastener relative to the bone plate 100.

[0041] As shown, in some examples, the variable angled openings 112a may include fins or projections that extend radially inward from an inner surface of the openings and into an interior region of the openings, and which are configured to engage or cooperate with the head portion of the bone fastener. In use, the fins engage the head portion of the bone fastener in order to secure the bone fastener at a desired position and at a desired angular orientation within the variable angled opening 112a. Additional information on the operation and configuration of the fins can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 706,877, with an earliest filing date of July 25, 2005, now U.S. Patent No. 10,092,337 entitled “Systems and Methods for Using Polyaxial Plates”; U.S. Patent Application No.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO13 / 524,506, filed on June 15, 2012, entitled “Variable Angle Locking Implant”; U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 758,207, with filed on March 7, 2018, now U.S. Patent No. 10,993,750 entitled “Bone Plate”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 616,785, filed on December 6, 2021, published as U.S. Published Patent Application. 2022 / 023322, entitled “Orthopedic Implant with Improved Variable Angle Locking Mechanism”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively or in addition, as discussed above, in some examples, the openings 112, variable angled opening 112a, and / or elongated slots 113 may have undercuts that allow fasteners to be inserted at any of a range of angles with respect to the brim segment 110 (e.g., at angles as great as approximately ±50°).

[0042] Alternatively, in some examples, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, one or more of the openings 112 may be in the formed of locking screw openings, which may include a plurality of threads formed on an inner surface thereof for mating with threads formed on an outer surface of a head portion of a bone fastener. Thus arranged, the bone fastener may be said to be locked to the bone plate 100 via the locking screw openings. That is, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the bone fastener is threaded through one of the locking screw openings formed in the bone plate 100 and into the patient’s bone. The bone fastener is secured to the bone plate 100 via threads formed on the head portion of the bone fastener that cooperate with the threaded locking screw opening formed in the bone plate 100. This secures the bone plate 100 with respect to the patient’s bone and provides rigid fixation between the bone plate 100 and the bone fasteners. That is, because the head portion of the bone fastener interdigitates with the threads formed in the locking screw openings of the bone plate 100, the plate 100 andAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO the fasteners form a stable system or construct, and the stability of the fracture can be dependent on or aided by the stiffness of the construct. Locking a bone fastener into the bone plate 100 can achieve angular and axial stability and eliminate the possibility for the bone fastener to toggle, slide, or be dislodged, reducing the risk of postoperative loss of reduction.

[0043] The fasteners used for coupling the bone plate 100 to the desired bone surface can be any type of fastener now known or hereafter developed. For example, the fastener may include any type of external thread including standard or nonstandard threads. For example, the external threads can be arranged as a continuous ridge or a non-continuous ridge. The external threads can form a portion of a revolution, one complete revolution, multiple revolutions, a single lead, multiple leads, or any other threads known in the art. Additionally, and / or alternatively, in the case of locking screws, the head portion of the fastener can include any surface that will engage with and seat within a locking screw opening formed in the bone plates. For example, the head portion can include threads. Alternatively, the head portion can include a series of dimples, ridges, bumps, protrusions, textured areas, or any other surface that can secure the fastener.

[0044] The fastener may be any typical fastener, made out of any appropriate material. The fastener may include a bore for receiving a driver in order to drive the fastener through the bone plate and into the patient’ s bone. The bore may be any size and shape, for example, it may have a hexagonal configuration to receive a corresponding hexagonal driver, a Phillips screw head, a flat-head, a star configuration, Torx, or any other appropriateAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO configuration that can cooperate with a driver to drive the fastener through the bone plate and into the patient’s bone.

[0045] The shaft of the fastener may be fully threaded, partially threaded, or a helical blade, and / or may include one or more tacks, deployable talons, expandable elements, protrusions, or any feature that allows the shaft to engage the patient’s bone. It is also possible that shaft be non-threaded so that the fastener takes the form of a peg or a pin. This alternative implementation may be preferred in certain procedures where, for instance, the main goal is to prevent tilting of a bone segment or in procedures where there is no concern of the fastener pulling out from the patient’s bone and hence no need for the shaft 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.

[0046] The fasteners may be of different dimensions, including length and / or outer diameter. For example, fasteners may have an outer diameter of about 1.0 millimeters (mm), about 2.0 mm, about 2.7 mm, about 3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 5.0 mm, and any value or range of the foregoing (including endpoints).

[0047] As will be described herein, the bone plate may include any now known or hereafter developed additional features. The bone plate may be manufactured from any suitable material now known or hereafter developed, including, for example, metals, polymers, plastics, ceramics, resorbable, non-resorbable, composite materials, etc. Suitable materials may include, for example, titanium, stainless steel, cobalt chrome, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), resorbable polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), combinations orAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO alloys of such materials or any other appropriate material that has sufficient strength to be secured to and hold bone, while also having sufficient biocompatibility to be implanted into a patient’s body. In some examples, the bone fastener may be manufactured from the same material as the bone plate. In other examples, the bone fasteners may be manufactured from a different material as compared to the bone plate.

[0048] While specific features and / or examples have been shown and described, it is envisioned that modifications can be made. For example, it is envisioned that the particular configuration and / or arrangement of the plurality of windows 123 of the QLS segment 120 can be modified to achieve a desired configuration of the engagement surface 122 (e.g., to engage a selected surgical clamp, to adjust a strength and / or rigidity of the QLS segment, to correspond to a desired profile of the QLS segment for engaging the QLS of the patient). In some examples, the number, position, and / or size of the one or more ridge 124 can be changed based on the desired profile of the QLS segment 120. In addition, it is envisioned that the particular configuration of openings 112 and elongated slots 113 in the brim segment 110 can be modified to provide a desired number, position, and arrangement of points of fixation at which the brim segment 110 is affixed to the pelvis of the patient.

[0049] While the present disclosure refers to certain examples, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described examples are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claim(s). Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described examples, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. The discussion of any example is meant only to beAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In other words, while illustrative examples of the disclosure have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.

[0050] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more examples or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of the certain examples or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate examples, or configurations. Any example or feature of any section, portion, or any other component shown or particularly described in relation to various examples of similar sections, portions, or components herein may be interchangeably applied to any other similar example or feature shown or described herein. Additionally, components with the same name may be the same or different, and one of ordinary skill in the art would understand each component could be modified in a similar fashion or substituted to perform the same function.

[0051] Moreover, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example of the present disclosure.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO

[0052] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one example” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features.

[0053] The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., engaged, attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative to movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. All rotational references describe relative movement between the various elements. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative to sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WOCLAIMSWe claim:

1. A pelvic bone plate comprising: a brim segment configured to be affixed to a portion of a pelvis of a patient, the brim segment comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive one or more fasteners; and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment coupled to the brim segment via at least one bridge, wherein the QLS segment comprises a bearing surface configured to be arranged directly adjacent to a QLS of the pelvis, and wherein the QLS segment comprises an engagement surface substantially opposing the bearing surface that is configured to be engaged by a surgical clamp.

2. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1, wherein the brim segment comprises an extension portion having an expanded width relative to a remainder of the brim segment; and wherein the plurality of openings comprises one or more openings arranged in the extension portion that are offset in a widthwise direction of the brim segment.

3. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings comprises at least one non-locking opening and at least one locking opening.

4. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings comprises at least one elongated slot configured to receive a fastener to non-rigidly affix the pelvic boneAttorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO plate to the pelvis to facilitate adjustment of the pelvic bone plate in an adjustment direction during an implantation procedure.

5. The pelvic bone plate of claim 4, wherein the at least one elongated slot comprises: a first elongated slot having a first opening length; and a second elongated slot arranged nearer to the QLS segment than the first elongated slot, the second elongated slot having a second opening length that is different than the first opening length.

6. The pelvic bone plate of claim 5, wherein the second opening length is shorter than the first opening length.

7. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1, wherein the engagement surface comprises a plurality of windows that extend at least partially through a width of the QLS segment.

8. The pelvic bone plate of claim 7, wherein one or more of the plurality of windows are configured to receive one or more fasteners.

9. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1, wherein the engagement surface comprises one or more ridge extending outwardly from the engagement surface.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO10. The pelvic bone plate of claim 9, wherein the one or more ridge is arranged along one or more perimeter edge of the engagement surface.

11. The pelvic bone plate of claim 1 , wherein the pelvic bone plate is a suprapectineal bone plate, wherein the brim segment is configured to be affixed on a pelvic brim of the patient.

12. A method for stabilization a fracture of a pelvic bone of a patient, the method comprising: positioning a pelvic bone plate against or across the fracture of the pelvic bone of the patient, the pelvic bone plate comprising a brim segment comprising a plurality of openings and a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment coupled to the brim segment via at least one bridge; applying pressure to the QLS segment using a surgical clamp, wherein pressure is applied to an engagement surface of the QLS segment; and installing one or more fasteners into the plurality of openings to affix the brim portion to the pelvic bone.

13. The method of claim 12, positioning a pelvic bone plate against or across the fracture of the pelvic bone of the patient comprises positioning the brim segment on a pelvic brim of the patient.Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO14. The method of claim 12, wherein positioning the pelvic bone plate comprises bending one or more of the at least one bridge to adjust a relative position of the QLS segment relative to the brim segment.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the brim segment comprises an extension portion having an expanded width relative to a remainder of the brim segment; and wherein installing one or more fasteners comprises installing fasteners into one or more openings arranged in the extension portion that are offset in a widthwise direction of the brim segment.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of openings comprises at least one elongated slot configured to receive a fastener to non-rigidly affix the pelvic bone plate to the pelvis; and wherein installing one or more fasteners into the plurality of openings comprises adjusting a position of the pelvic bone plate in an adjustment direction during an implantation procedure.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement surface comprises a plurality of windows that extend at least partially through a width of the QLS segment.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more of the plurality of windows are configured to receive one or more fasteners;Attorney Docket No.: 8178.6104WO wherein positioning a pelvic bone plate against or across the fracture comprises installing one or more fasteners in the one or more of the plurality of windows.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement surface comprises one or more ridge extending outwardly from the engagement surface; and wherein applying pressure to the QLS segment comprises engaging the surgical clamp with a portion of the engagement surface abutting the one or more ridge.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more ridge is arranged along one or more perimeter edge of the engagement surface.

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