Bone fixation device and system and method for using the device

A bone fixation system (500, 100) configured to provide a combination of dynamic and compression functions to allow for corrective surgery by bone compression, the system comprising:

• a bone plate (50, 150) having an upper external surface (109) and a lower bone facing surface (110) and at least two screw holes (151), and
• associated bone screws (160);
• the bone plate and screws comprising corresponding engagement elements (156, 166);
• each bone screw (160) having a head comprising screw engagement elements (166);
• each bone plate screw hole (151) comprising plate engagement elements (156) which are monolithic with the bone plate (150), each plate engagement element (156) comprising a stop surface (102) configured to abut in a ratchet engagement with a corresponding screw engagement element (166) as the screw is advanced to provide screw-to-plate-constraint and prevent backing out of the screw;
• the bone plate (50, 150) further comprising recesses (2, 108, 153, 154) located between two adjacent screw holes, the recesses (2, 108, 153, 154) configured to allow for bending of the plate to provide for intra-operable customisation of a form of the plate to a bone of a patient, the recesses comprising a first transverse channel (153) in the upper external surface (109) and a second transverse channel (154) in the lower bone facing surface (110), the first and second channels being arranged back-to-back transversely across the plate;
• and
• further comprising one or more recessed areas (101) surrounding the screw holes in the upper external surface (109) of the plate, wherein the recessed areas (101) are sloped and configured to allow the screws (160) to be placed eccentrically into the bone and allow for compression at a fracture site once contact is made between the screw head and plate.