RETAINING MECHANISM
A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum, a retaining element and a spring element. The stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to engage the retaining element such that the spring element helps maintain the retaining element in its second position so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
The present invention is directed to systems for affixing a stratum to bone.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to retaining mechanisms, and more particularly, systems for affixing a stratum to bone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum, a retaining element and a spring element. The stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to engage the retaining element such that the spring element helps maintain the retaining element in its second position so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
Further, a system for affixing stratum to bone is disclosed. The system comprises a retaining mechanism and at least one fastener configured to pass through the hole in the stratum and engage the bone.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The retaining mechanism 100 comprises a stratum 20, a retaining element 60 and a spring element 30. The stratum 20 comprises a first surface 19, a second surface 21, and six holes (for example, holes 22 and 22A) extending between the first surface 19 and the second surface 21. As shown in
In addition, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
Parts of the retaining mechanism 100 may have a variety of shapes and sizes and still accomplish the functions described herein. For example, as shown, although the spring element 30 has a rectangular shape, a variety of shapes may be employed. For example, a more arcuate shape may be employed. Further, a different shape and/or type of spring than that shown may be employed. That is, as the spring element 30 shown may be considered a type of leaf spring, another type of spring having a different shape may be used.
Similarly, the shape of the retaining element 60 or any of its constituent parts may be different than that shown in the Figures as long as they accomplish their respective functions described herein. The retaining element 60 may any shape as long as it allows for insertion of fasteners and helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fasteners after the fasteners have been fully inserted into the holes (for example, hole 22 or 22A). Further, although the tab 62 is shown as having a rectangular shape, a variety of shapes may be employed. As yet another example, although the depression 68 is shown as having a conical shape, a variety of shapes—for example, a spherical shape—may be employed.
In the embodiments shown and described herein, the retaining element 60 is substantially rigid. Further, in the embodiments shown and described herein, the stratum 20 is substantially rigid; accordingly, the channel 50 therein is substantially rigid.
The term “substantially” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, the retaining element 60 may be considered substantially rigid if when the retaining element 60 is in its second position, the retaining element 60 at least partially overlaps a hole 22 or 22A so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of a fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
In the embodiments described herein, the stratum may be made of a variety of biocompatible materials (metal or non-metal), including but not limited to, Titanium Alloys, commercially available Titanium, stainless steel, polyetheretherketone (“PEEK”), cobalt chrome (“CoCr”), polyetherketoneketone (“PEKK”), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”), polyethylene, shape memory metals, other polymers or any combination of such materials. Similarly, the retaining mechanism 60 and/or the fasteners (for example, fastener 40) may be made of the same materials. Also, any suitable materials know in the art may work for each of these elements as well as for other elements described herein.
In the embodiments shown, the spring element 30 has elastic properties. Thus, the spring element 30 comprises a material that has elastic properties. For example, the spring element 30 may comprise a material such as metal that is elastic. In addition, the spring element 30, for example, may be made of Nickel Titanium (NiTi), commercially pure Titanium, a Titanium alloy or any combination of such materials. Further, as noted, the spring element 30 may have shapes other than rectangular. That is, the spring element 30 may take any form that satisfies its function described herein, for example, being able to adequately engage with the retaining element 60 and the stratum 20 and being able to sufficiently maintain the retaining element 60 in its second position so as to not allow the fasteners (for example, fastener 40) to inadvertently back out of the stratum 20.
All adjustments and alternatives described above are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined exclusively in the following claims. Those skilled in the art also should realize that such modifications and equivalent constructions or methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms components and modules may be interchanged. It is understood that all spatial references, such as “superior,” “inferior,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “underside,” “top,” “bottom,” and “perimeter” are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A retaining mechanism comprising:
- a stratum comprising a hole and a recess; and
- a retaining element positioned within the recess, the retaining element being rotatable relative to the stratum between a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole.
22. The mechanism of claim 21, further comprising a spring element configured to engage the stratum and the retaining element such that the spring element maintains the retaining element in the second position so as to prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
23. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the spring element is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the hole when the retaining element moves between the first and second positions.
24. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the spring element has a substantially linear configuration.
25. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the spring element has a rectangular shape.
26. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the stratum comprises a second recess that extends into a thickness of the stratum, the spring element being positioned within a second recess.
27. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the retaining element comprises a cut-out such that when the retaining element is in the second position, the cut-out engages the spring element so as to help maintain the retaining element in the second position.
28. The mechanism of claim 21, further comprising the fastener.
29. The mechanism of claim 21, wherein the retaining element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the recess.
30. The mechanism of claim 21, wherein the retaining element comprises a first leg and a second leg such that when the retaining element is in the second position, a portion of one of the legs partially overlaps the hole.
31. The mechanism of claim 21, wherein the retaining element comprises a tab and the stratum comprises a channel that is in communication with the recess, the tab being movably disposed in the channel as the retaining element moves between the first and second positions.
32. The mechanism of claim 31, wherein the tab is positioned at a first end of the channel when the retaining element is in the first position and the tab is positioned at a second end of the channel when the retaining element is in the second position.
33. A retaining mechanism comprising:
- a stratum comprising a hole;
- a retaining element coupled to the stratum, the retaining element being rotatable relative to the stratum between a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole; and
- a spring element configured to engage the stratum and the retaining element such that the spring element maintains the retaining element in the second position so as to prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
34. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein the spring element is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the hole when the retaining element moves between the first and second positions.
35. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein the retaining element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the hole.
36. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein the retaining element comprises a tab and the stratum comprises a channel, the tab being movably disposed in the channel as the retaining element moves between the first and second positions.
37. The mechanism of claim 36, wherein the tab is positioned at a first end of the channel when the retaining element is in the first position and the tab is positioned at a second end of the channel when the retaining element is in the second position.
38. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein the retaining element comprises a first leg and a second leg such that when the retaining element is in the second position, a portion of one of the legs partially overlaps the hole.
39. A method of treating spinal disorder comprising:
- providing a retaining mechanism comprising: a stratum comprising a hole and a recess that surrounds the hole, and a retaining element positioned within the recess; passing a fastener through the hole when the retaining element is in a first position; and
- rotating the retaining element relative to the stratum from the first position to a second position such that the retaining element at least partially overlaps the fastener.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein rotating the retaining element comprises rotating the retaining element about a longitudinal axis defined by the hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 5, 2015
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2016
Inventor: Kevin Humphreys (Memphis, TN)
Application Number: 14/874,910