ORTHOPEDIC PLATE, ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE, METHOD OF COUPLING BONE SEGMENTS, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING AN ORTHOPEDIC PLATE
An orthopedic plate comprising, a frame portion and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates.
This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/569,052, filed Dec. 9, 2011 and entitled ORTHOPEDIC PLATE, ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE. METHOD OF COUPLING BONE SEGMENTS, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING AN ORTHOPEDIC PLATE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to devices for and methods of repairing bones and/or bone joints and methods of assembling said devices. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an orthopedic plate or an orthopedic device for coupling bone segments, a method of doing the same, and a method of assembling an orthopedic plate.
BACKGROUNDThe statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
When treating bone fractures, where a single bone is broken into two or more bone segments, a medical professional often desires to promote union between the two or more bone segments. The same is the case when a medical professional desires to cause or help to cause bone fusions, i.e., uniting two bones into one bone by eliminating a joint therebetween. When promoting union of two or more bone segments via standard biologic healing, whether the bone segments are pieces of a single bone or whether the bone segments are separate bones, it is often desirable to have precise alignment of bone segments and complete or substantially complete contact between the involved surfaces.
Alignment of the bone segments is desirable not only to enhance a union of bone segments, but also to prevent or reduce the likelihood of subsequent deformity following union. If malalignment is created at the time of fracture fixation, the ability of the bones to heal may be compromised and, if union is achieved, an alteration in force distribution may occur across formerly precisely balanced joints that may lead to increased contact stresses and subsequent arthritis. Joints often require precise balance to prevent portions of the cartilage from accelerated wear (wearing away the cartilage with repetitive cycles of loading), which may lead to early onset arthritis.
Thus, under the above-mentioned circumstances, the ability of the medical professional to achieve an outcome that both the patient and clinician approve of is often directly related to the quality of the reduction of the bone segments.
Traditionally, medical professionals, such as orthopedic surgeons, use plate fixation to hold the various bone segments into the correct position while they heal. The plates themselves are typically primarily alignment devices. While they may provide some element of structural support, if the fracture or fusion does not heal (nonunion), the plate and screw construct often eventually fails due to cyclic loading.
Dynamic compression plates have been used by medical professionals to attempt to promote biologic healing by creating a more complete and flush bond between bone segments. One type of dynamic compression plate includes oblong, rather than circular, holes to allow the medical professional to compress the fracture/fusion site by placing the screw against the side of the hole that is farthest from the fracture/fusion site. This type of compression plate is utilized with fasteners, such as screws, having a cone-shaped head with its largest diameter at the top of the fastener head. As the medical professional tightens the screw against the plate, the screw head engages the far end of the plate screw hole. Then, as the medical professional continues to tighten the fastener, the cone-shaped fastener head pushes the plate in a direction away from the fracture/fusion site as long as two conditions are met: (1) the bottom side of the plate is in contact with the bone to prevent the plate from moving downward as the fastener moves downward, and (2) the other end of the plate is secured to the bone on the opposite side of the fracture/fusion site.
The first of the above-mentioned conditions, namely that the bottom side of the plate is in contact with the bone while the fastener is being driven downward into the bone, may diminish the plate's effectiveness or render the plate unusable with bones that are not relatively flat. For example, as the medical professional tightens a fastener and causes the plate to contact an uneven bone surface, the bone may become distorted or otherwise damaged. Distortion of the fracture or fusion site may alter the alignment of said site or may limit the contact surface area between the bone segments. In either case, the desired goal of anatomic restoration of the bone or fusion site with maximal surface area available for healing may not be achieved. As a result, this type of dynamic compression plate may be undesirable for use with curved or uneven bone surfaces.
This type of dynamic compression plate may also be undesirable because the amount of compression is dependent on the screw height. In other words, the position of the plate along a first axis is dependent on the position of the fastener along a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The dependent relationship between the plate and the screw height may not be desirable because it may prevent the medical professional from creating a desired compression force acting on the bone segments while the fasteners are at their desired positions.
Therefore, it is desirous to provide an orthopedic plate, device, or method that can be used with bone segments having various shapes while allowing dynamic compression of multiple bone segments and/or that can be used to create a desired compression force acting on the bone segments while the fasteners are at their desired positions.
SUMMARYIn overcoming the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art, the present orthopedic plate, device, and methods facilitate and/or provide dynamic compression between multiple bone segments.
In one aspect, an orthopedic plate is provided, comprising a frame portion, and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates, and wherein the bearing includes at least a first ridge that is an anchoring ridge and a second ridge that is a locking ridge.
The anchoring ridge may have an inner diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the locking ridge. Furthermore, the anchoring ridge may be configured to mate with a first set of fastener threads and the locking ridge is configured to mate with a second set of fastener threads. The bearing may be configured to expand in diameter when the second set of fastener threads is received within the locking ridge.
The anchoring ridge may be configured to mate with a first set of fastener threads and the locking ridge is configured to receive a locking head. The bearing may be configured to expand in diameter when the locking head is received within the locking ridge.
The orthopedic plate may also include a second bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the second bearing defines a second opening configured to receive a second fastener for further fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the second bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the second opening.
In another aspect an orthopedic plate is provided, having a frame portion and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates and wherein the bearing includes at least one key hole to facilitate rotation of the bearing with respect to the frame portion.
The bearing may include at least two key holes to facilitate rotation of the bearing with respect to the frame portion. The bearing may also be configured to facilitate rotation of the bearing with respect to the frame portion while the fastener is received within the opening.
In yet another aspect, an orthopedic device is provided, configured to facilitate cutting at least one of first and second bone segments of a body and comprising a jig configured to be secured to the first and second bone segments of the body and a cutting guide coupled with the jig, wherein a position of the cutting guide with respect to the jig is adjustable along a first axis.
In another aspect, an orthopedic device is configured to facilitate coupling first and second bone segments of a body and comprising a jig having a first arm configured to be secured to the first bone segment, a second arm configured to be secured to the second bone segment, and a jig adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of the first arm with respect to the second arm to adjust a distance between the first and second bone segments.
In yet another aspect, a method of coupling first and second bone segments of a body is provided, comprising coupling a first arm of a jig with the first bone segment and coupling a second arm of the jig with the second bone segment, coupling a cutting guide with the jig to facilitate cutting at least one of the first and second bone segments, cutting at least one of the first and second bone segments, decoupling the cutting guide from the jig, coupling a plate holding mechanism with the jig, coupling an orthopedic plate with the plate holding mechanism, adjusting the plate holding mechanism so as to move the orthopedic plate into a desired position with respect to the first and second bone segments, securing a first portion of the orthopedic plate to the first bone segment and securing a second portion of the orthopedic plate to the second bone segment, adjusting at least one of the following: a position of at least one of the first and second arms of the jig so as to adjust a distance between the first and second bone segments and a plate adjusting mechanism to adjust a distance between the first and second bone segments.
Further objects, features and advantages of the orthopedic plate, device, and method will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
Referring now to the drawings,
The jig 12 shown in the figures is coupled with the patient's body to facilitate installation of the orthopedic plate 14. The jig 12 shown in the figures includes a first portion 18 having a first arm 20 that is able to be coupled with the patient's body and a second portion 22 having a second arm 24 that is also able to be coupled with the patient's body.
For example,
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The orthopedic plate 14 shown in the figures defines a first opening 70 and a second opening 72 that are configured to receive the first and second fasteners 74, 76, to couple the orthopedic plate 14 to the first and second bone segments 28, 30. The distance 80 is measured at the center of each of the fasteners 74, 76 and is therefore, in the embodiments shown in the figures, the same distance as that measured from the respective centers of each of the openings 70, 72 (
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The plate adjustment mechanism 78 shown in the figures is configured to be able to adjust the distance 80 while the orthopedic plate 14 is spaced apart from at least one of the first and second bone segments 28, 30, as is measured generally along a fastener axis 82 (
As is illustrated in
Another advantage to the orthopedic plate 14 shown in
The orthopedic device 10 shown in the figures also includes a cutting guide 100 coupled with the jig 12 and configured to guide a surgical saw 102 or other cutting instrument. For example, the cutting guide 100 has a pair of cutting slots 104, 106 configured to receive the surgical saw 102 and allow a medical professional to cut through the bone segments 28, 30 in a relatively straight line by following the slots 104, 106. Often times, a medical professional will desire or need to cut opposing faces of bone segments 28, 30 so as to create two complimentary surfaces that will easily and effectively achieve a union through normal biological healing. It is often advantageous for the complimentary surfaces to be flat surfaces that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone(s). The cutting guide is adjustable along the y-axis 54 (
For illustrative purposes, a method of coupling first and second bone segments 28, 30 of a patient's body 26 is herein described. A medical professional (generally designated by numeral 120 in
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Once the arms 20, 24 of the jig 12 are positioned as desired, the medical professional then moves the locking key 36 into the locked position 36a (
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When the fastener heads are flush with the bearings, the bearings outwardly expand, thereby locking the bearings in place with respect to the orthopedic plate frame portion and prevent rotation of the bearing. When the bearing is expanded (and thus locked) it forms an interference fit with the orthopedic plate frame portion, thereby substantially or completely preventing the bearing from back spinning into an uncompressed position under physiologic loads. The bearings 84, 86 include bearing key holes 148, 150 that facilitate rotation of the bearings 84, 86, as well as facilitate compression of the bone segments 28, 30, as will be described in more detail below. In other words, the first and second bearings 84, 86 are configured to facilitate rotation of the bearings with respect to the frame portion 68 while the fasteners 74, 76 are received within the first and second openings 70, 72, respectively.
Next, the plate holding mechanism 16 is decoupled from the orthopedic plate 14 and the jig is decoupled from the bone segments 28, 30. The medical professional then, if desired, uses the first and/or second plate adjustment mechanisms 78, 79 to adjust the distance 80 between the first and second bone segments 28, 30. For example, as shown in
The desired distance 80 may vary depending on various circumstances, but it is typically 0.00 to 0.05 millimeters. After rotationally adjusting the bearings and obtaining a desired distance 80 and, if applicable, compression force, the medical professional tightens the fasteners so the fastener heads are flush with the bearings and the bearings are locked with respect to the frame portion. The fastener heads shown in the figures are conical, but they may be flat or any other shape.
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It should be noted that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated as examples. A large variety of modifications have been described and more are part of the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. These and further modifications as well as any replacement by technical equivalents may be added to the description and figures, without leaving the scope of the protection of the disclosure and of the present patent.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
- positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;
- coupling a bearing to the frame portion such that the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the bearing comprising an opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;
- advancing a fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel to fasten the frame portion to the body, wherein the fastener contacts the bearing causing the bearing to radially expand and become non-rotatably coupled to the frame portion.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- rotating the bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the fastener;
- wherein the opening of the bearing is eccentric to an outer surface of the bearing such that rotation of the bearing causes a position of the opening to adjust with respect to the frame portion.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
- mating a notch on the outer surface of the bearing with a ring on an inner surface of the frame portion; and
- rotating the bearing caused the notch to slide past the ring.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the notch is situated midway between a top surface and a bottom surface of the bearing.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein a top surface of the bearing is flush with a top surface of the frame portion along a circumference of the bearing.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the bearing provides a first key hole and a second key hole spaced apart in the bearing and positioned between the opening and the outer surface of the bearing.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first key hole and the second key hole each extend circumferentially around a portion of a circumference of the bearing.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein coupling the bearing to the frame portion comprises snapping the bearing into place within the frame portion at a set vertical position within the frame portion.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion while maintaining the bearing at the set vertical position in the frame portion.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein the bearing further comprises:
- at least a first annular-shaped ridge projecting into the opening of the bearing to provide a first inner diameter within the opening, and
- a second annular-shaped ridge projecting into the opening of the bearing to provide a second inner diameter within the opening.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first inner diameter is located in a first plane and the second inner diameter is located in a second plane; and
- the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of travel and are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of travel.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the fastener includes a tapered head section; and
- advancing the fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel causes the tapered head section to contact the second ridge and gradually expand the second ridge outward so as to provisionally lock the bearing to the frame portion.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein a distal end of the fastener comprises a first set of fastener threads for entering bone, and a proximal end of the fastener comprises a locking head having a second set of fastener threads.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein advancing the fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel causes the locking head to contact the second ridge to lock the locking head to the second ridge.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter.
17. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- coupling a second bearing to the frame portion such that the second bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the second bearing defining a second opening; and
- advancing a second fastener into the second opening to further fasten the frame portion to the body.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
- rotating the second bearing with respect to the frame portion;
- wherein the second opening of the bearing is eccentric to an outer surface of the second bearing such that rotation of the second bearing causes a position of the second opening to adjust with respect to the frame portion.
19. A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
- positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;
- coupling a bearing to the frame portion such that the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the bearing comprising an opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;
- advancing a fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel and causing the fastener to radially expand the bearing, thereby rotatably coupling the bearing to the frame portion;
- rotating the bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the fastener;
- wherein the opening of the bearing is eccentric with respect to an outer surface of the bearing such that rotation of the bearing causes a position of the opening to adjust with respect of the frame portion.
20. A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
- positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;
- coupling a first bearing to the frame portion such that the first bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion independent of the first fastener, the first bearing comprising a first opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;
- advancing a first fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel and causing the first fastener to radially expand the first bearing, thereby coupling the first bearing to the frame portion;
- coupling a second bearing to the frame portion such that the second bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the second bearing defining a second opening;
- advancing a second fastener into the second opening to further fasten the frame portion to the body; and
- rotating the second bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the second fastener;
- wherein the second opening of the second bearing is eccentric with respect to an outer surface of the second bearing such that rotation of the second bearing causes a position of the second opening to adjust with respect of the frame portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 22, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2017
Inventors: Steven L. Haddad (Glenview, IL), Paul Bond (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 15/358,439