Bone plates having compression holes, and related systems and methods

A system for bone fixation, comprising:

• a bone plate comprising an outer surface, a bone-facing surface opposite the outer surface, and an interior surface that defines a hole that extends from the outer surface to the bone-facing surface along a central hole axis, wherein the interior surface further defines:
• a first compression surface that tapers inwardly toward the central hole axis and toward the bone-facing surface;
• a countersink that extends from the outer surface toward the first compression surface, wherein the first compression surface extends between the countersink and the bone-facing surface;
• a landing between the countersink and the first compression surface, the landing extending from a lower perimeter of the countersink toward the central hole axis;
• and
• at least one additional compression surface extending from the landing to the first compression surface;
• a bone fixation member having a head and a shaft that extends from the head along a central fixation member axis, wherein the head has an exterior surface that defines a threaded head portion, wherein the threaded head portion is configured for variable angle locking with a complimentary variable angle plate locking structure,
• wherein the first compression surface and the threaded head portion are cooperatively configured to translate the bone plate in a translation direction that is substantially perpendicular to the central hole axis responsive to the threaded head portion contacting the first compression surface when the bone fixation member axis is offset from the central hole axis at an offset parameter as the head advances within the hole toward underlying bone, and wherein the at least one additional compression surface is configured to contact the exterior surface of the head in a manner causing at least a portion of the translation.

A method of bone fixation, comprising:

• inserting a shaft of a bone fixation member through a hole in a bone plate along an insertion axis and into underlying bone, wherein the bone plate comprises an outer surface, a bone-facing surface opposite the outer surface, and an interior surface that defines the hole, wherein the hole extends along a central hole axis, and the insertion axis is offset from the central hole axis at an offset parameter,
• contacting a threaded portion of an exterior surface of a head of the bone fixation member against a first compression surface and a second compression surface within the hole, wherein each of the first and second compression surfaces is defined by the interior surface and taper inwardly toward the central hole axis and toward the bone-facing surface, wherein the interior surface further defines:
• a countersink that extends from the outer surface toward the first compression surface, wherein the first compression surface extends between the countersink and the bone-facing surface;
• and
• a landing between the countersink and the first compression surface, wherein the landing extends from a lower perimeter of the countersink toward the central hole axis, and the second compression surface extends from the landing to the first compression surface;
• and
• driving the bone fixation member, during the contacting step, toward the underlying bone along the insertion axis in a manner translating the bone plate in a translation direction that is substantially perpendicular to the central hole axis.