# US 12,178,482 B2 · Orthopaedic fixation devices, systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,482 B2 - Document ID: US12178482B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/511,977 - Filed: 2021-10-27 - Published: 2022-02-17 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-28 - Assignees: Biomet Microfixation, LLC - Applicants: Biomet Microfixation, LLC - Inventors: Justin James May; Scott Steffensmeier; Jason F. Detweiler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178482B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8023: {Variable length plates adjustable in both directions} - A61B 17/15: Guides therefor - A61B 17/1728: {for holes for bone plates or plate screws} - A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)} - A61B 17/8004: {with means for distracting or compressing the bone or bones} - A61B 17/8009: {the plate having a ratchet} - 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 17/8061: {specially adapted for particular bones (A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence)} - A61B 17/8076: {for the ribs or the sternum} - A61B 17/808: {Instruments for holding or positioning bone plates, or for adjusting screw-to-plate locking mechanisms} - A61B 17/8057: {the interlocking form comprising a thread} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A ratchet fastener includes a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth and a ratchet wheel disposed in mating arrangement with the teeth. The ratchet fastener is configured to receive a tether. The ratchet wheel is configured to be rotated to tighten the tether. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ratchet fastener, comprising: a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth that at least partially surround a boss; and a ratchet wheel including a central aperture that receives the boss to couple the ratchet wheel to the base in mating arrangement with the teeth, the ratchet fastener configured to receive a tether, the ratchet wheel rotatable relative to the ratchet portion of the base for tightening the tether, wherein the boss includes a protrusion proximal to a top edge of the boss extending radially outward from a center of the boss, wherein the central aperture includes a ledge extending substantially circumferentially around the central aperture and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture, wherein a cut-out in the ledge is configured to allow the protrusion to pass through the central aperture when the cut-out and the protrusion are aligned, and wherein the protrusion extends over the ledge when the boss is received in the central aperture and the cut-out and the protrusion are misaligned. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ratchet fastener of claim 1, wherein the boss includes a fastener aperture therein that extends through the boss. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ratchet fastener of claim 2, wherein the fastener aperture of the boss and the central aperture in the ratchet wheel are aligned concentrically when the ratchet wheel is coupled to the base in mating arrangement with the teeth. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ratchet fastener of claim 3, in combination with a bone screw, wherein the bone screw includes a threaded exterior portion, and wherein the fastener aperture of the boss is interiorly threaded for mating with the threaded exterior portion of the bone screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ratchet fastener of claim 1, wherein the ratchet wheel includes a pawl configured to engage the teeth and allow the ratchet wheel to rotate in a first direction while preventing rotation in an opposite direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ratchet fastener of claim 1, wherein the boss projects from a central portion of a ratchet recess in which the ratchet wheel is received, the teeth positioned along an interior-facing sidewall of the ratchet recess. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ratchet fastener of claim 1, wherein the ratchet wheel includes an open tether slot in an outer surface of the ratchet wheel, the tether receivable in the open tether slot when tightening the tether. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ratchet fastener of claim 1, wherein the base includes an open tether channel in an outer surface of the base, the tether receivable in the open tether channel when tightening the tether. ### Claim 9 A ratchet fastener, comprising: a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet recess including teeth, the ratchet recess including an interior-facing sidewall from which the teeth extend radially inward toward a center of the ratchet recess; and a ratchet wheel disposed in the ratchet recess in mating arrangement with the teeth, the ratchet fastener configured to receive a tether, the ratchet wheel rotatable relative to the ratchet portion of the base for tightening the tether, wherein the ratchet recess includes a boss projecting from a central portion of the ratchet recess, the boss receivable in the ratchet wheel when the ratchet wheel is disposed in the ratchet recess in mating arrangement with the teeth, wherein the boss includes a protrusion proximal to a top edge of the boss extending radially outward from a center of the boss, wherein the central aperture includes a ledge extending substantially circumferentially around the central aperture and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture, wherein a cut-out in the ledge is configured to allow the protrusion to pass through the central aperture when the cut-out and the protrusion are aligned, and wherein the protrusion extends over the ledge when the ratchet wheel is disposed in the ratchet recess and the cut-out and the protrusion are misaligned. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ratchet fastener of claim 9, wherein the boss includes a fastener aperture therein that extends through the boss. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The ratchet fastener of claim 10, wherein the fastener aperture of the boss and a central aperture in the ratchet wheel are aligned concentrically when the ratchet wheel is disposed in the ratchet recess in mating arrangement with the teeth. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ratchet fastener of claim 11, wherein the fastener aperture of the boss includes a threaded interior portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The ratchet fastener of claim 12 in combination with a bone screw that includes a threaded exterior portion for mating with the threaded interior portion of the fastener aperture of the boss. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The ratchet fastener of claim 9, wherein the ratchet wheel includes a pawl configured to engage the teeth and allow the ratchet wheel to rotate in a first direction while preventing rotation in an opposite direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The ratchet fastener of claim 9, wherein the ratchet wheel includes an open tether slot in an outer surface of the ratchet wheel, the tether receivable in the open tether slot when tightening the tether. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The ratchet fastener of claim 9, wherein the base includes an open tether channel in an outer surface of the base, the tether receivable in the open tether channel when tightening the tether.