Bone plate hole caps, bone plate systems, and methods using same

A bone plate system comprising:

• a bone plate comprising a body having a first surface, a bone-engaging surface, and a plurality of through-openings extending from said first surface to said bone-engaging surface, said plurality of through-openings defining an inner surface extending between said first surface to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• at least one bone plate hole cap comprising a body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface disposed between said first surface and said second surface of said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one bone plate hole cap securable in at least one of said plurality of through-openings in said bone plate;
• said first surface and/or said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is configured for receiving a drive tool operable for inserting and/or removing the bone plate hole cap into and/or from the bone plate;
• at least one cover attachable to said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one cover having a top portion and a lower portion;
• wherein when said bone plate hole cap is secured in said at least one of said plurality of through-openings, said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is disposed adjacent to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• wherein the bone plate with the at least one bone plate hole cap secured in the one of the plurality of through-openings increases the bending strength of a portion of said bone plate across said bone plate hole cap compared to said portion of said bone plate without the bone plate hole cap;
• and
• wherein some of the plurality of through-openings in the bone plate comprises tapered internal threads, and said peripheral surface of said at least one bone plate hole cap comprises corresponding tapered external threads.

A bone plate system comprising:

• a bone plate comprising a body having a first surface, a bone-engaging surface, and a plurality of through-openings extending from said first surface to said bone-engaging surface, said plurality of through-openings defining an inner surface extending between said first surface to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• at least one bone plate hole cap comprising a body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface disposed between said first surface and said second surface of said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one bone plate hole cap securable in at least one of said plurality of through-openings in said bone plate;
• said first surface and/or said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is configured for receiving a drive tool operable for inserting and/or removing the bone plate hole cap into and/or from the bone plate;
• at least one cover attachable to said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one cover having a top portion and a lower portion;
• wherein when said bone plate hole cap is secured in said at least one of said plurality of through-openings, said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is disposed adjacent to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• wherein the bone plate with the at least one bone plate hole cap secured in the one of the plurality of through-openings increases the bending strength of a portion of said bone plate across said bone plate hole cap compared to said portion of said bone plate without the bone plate hole cap;
• and
• wherein said at least one bone plate hole cap comprises a first thickness between said first surface and said second surface of said bone plate hole cap, said bone plate around said at least one of said plurality of through-openings comprises a second thickness between said first surface and said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate, and wherein said first thickness is the same as said second thickness.

A bone plate system comprising:

• a bone plate comprising a body having a first surface, a bone-engaging surface, and a plurality of through-openings extending from said first surface to said bone-engaging surface, said plurality of through-openings defining an inner surface extending between said first surface to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• at least one bone plate hole cap comprising a body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface disposed between said first surface and said second surface of said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one bone plate hole cap securable in at least one of said plurality of through-openings in said bone plate;
• said first surface and/or said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is configured for receiving a drive tool operable for inserting and/or removing the bone plate hole cap into and/or from the bone plate;
• at least one cover attachable to said at least one bone plate hole cap, said at least one cover having a top portion and a lower portion;
• wherein when said bone plate hole cap is secured in said at least one of said plurality of through-openings, said second surface of said bone plate hole cap is disposed adjacent to said bone-engaging surface of said bone plate;
• wherein the bone plate with the at least one bone plate hole cap secured in the one of the plurality of through-openings increases the bending strength of a portion of said bone plate across said bone plate hole cap compared to said portion of said bone plate without the bone plate hole cap;
• and
• wherein said at least one cover extends completely across said at least one of said plurality of through-openings in said bone plate.