# US 11,896,270 B2 · Systems and methods for using polyaxial plates

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- Number: US 11,896,270 B2
- Document ID: US11896270B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/916,668
- Filed: 2020-06-30
- Published: 2020-10-15
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-25
- Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
- Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
- Inventors: Gene Edward Austin; Jon A. Harmon; Timothy J. Petteys; Thomas A. Russell; Paul Tornetta; William M. Ricci
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896270B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/8057: {the interlocking form comprising a thread}
- A61B 17/74: Devices for the head {or neck or trochanter} of the femur {(trochanteric devices connected to the proximal part of an endoprosthetic femoral shaft A61F2/30739; endoprosthetic internal fixation devices for the head or neck of the femur A61F2/3601)}
- A61B 17/8033: {having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers}
- A61B 17/8052: {immobilised relative to screws by interlocking form of the heads and plate holes, e.g. conical or threaded}
- A61B 17/8061: {specially adapted for particular bones (A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone}
- A61B 17/8085: {with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips (A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/863: {with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper}
- A61B 2017/00004: {(bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A polyaxial bone fixation system, the system comprising:
at least one fastener, the fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion; and
a bone plate comprising a lower surface, an upper surface and at least one opening extending from the lower surface to the upper surface;
wherein:
the at least one opening is adapted and configured to receive the at least one fastener; and
the head portion of the at least one fastener includes threads, the at least one opening includes a plurality of non-circumferential fins integrally connected to, and protruding therefrom, the plurality of non-circumferential fins form a concave portion protruding from an inner surface of the at least one opening, the plurality of non-circumferential fins each include a base that meet at the inner surface in substantially the same plane, the plurality of non-circumferential fins being arranged and configured to move at least a portion of each fin independently toward the upper surface or toward the lower surface when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening to secure a position of the at least one fastener relative to the bone plate at any one of a plurality of angles.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are provided as a series of concavely indented, inwardly protruding fins that are adapted to interlock with the threads to secure the head portion of the at least one fastener relative to the bone plate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the bone plate has a head portion, the at least one opening being located in the head portion of the bone plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 3, wherein the bone plate further comprises one or more of the following: a threaded opening; a non- threaded opening; an opening adapted to receive locking or non-locking fasteners; an opening with fins; a combination slot; or; any combination thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins include five to eight fins.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins each include inwardly tapered side surfaces.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are arranged and configured to deflect so that each fin is interposed between the threads when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are arranged and configured to deform so that each fin is interposed between the threads when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening.

### Claim 9

An orthopedic implant system comprising:
an orthopedic implant comprising a first bone contacting surface, a second surface opposite the first bone contacting surface, and at least one opening extending from the first bone contacting surface to the second surface; and
at least one fastener arranged and configured to be inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion;
wherein the head portion of the at least one fastener includes threads, the at least one opening includes a plurality of non-circumferential fins, each fin being arranged and configured to move independently toward the first bone contacting surface or the second surface to interlock with the threads to secure a position of the at least one fastener relative to the orthopedic implant when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening at any one of a plurality of angles; and
wherein the at least one opening further includes a round circumference at the second surface and a jagged circumference formed by the protruding fins at the bone contacting surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are provided as a series of concavely indented, protruding fins.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins form a concave portion protruding from an inner surface of the at least one opening.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins each include a base that meet at the inner surface in substantially the same plane.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins include five to eight fins.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins include inwardly tapered side surfaces.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are each integrally connected to, and protruding from, an inner surface of the at least one opening or the head portion of the fastener.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins each have a tapered top surface extending to a terminal end of the fin.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are deflectable so that each of the plurality of non-circumferential fins are interposed between the threads when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening.

### Claim 18 (depends on 9)

The polyaxial bone fixation assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-circumferential fins are deformable so that each of the plurality of non-circumferential fins are interposed between the threads when the at least one fastener is inserted into the at least one opening.