Minimal thickness bone plate locking mechanism
OwnerAnthony James, Joseph Ferrante +2inventors
InventorsAnthony James, Joseph Ferrante, Paul Tornetta, Thomas Russell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A locking fastener for use with a bone plate. The fastener has threads on its shank to engage bone and threads on its head to engage the internal threads of the bone plate. The threads in the head may have a constant major diameter and a tapered minor diameter that creates a radial interference fit. The threads in the head may also have a variable pitch that creates an axial interference fit. The head may have a low profile to reduce soft tissue irritation.
Claims22
A fastener for securing an orthopedic device to bone, comprising:
- a shaft having a first portion and a second portion;
- a central longitudinal axis of the shaft passing through the first portion and the second portion;
- the first portion having a first end configured for contact by a driving force for moving the fastener;
- the second portion having a second end for engaging bone;
- at least one raised surface in the second portion having a crest and a distance extending radially from the central longitudinal axis to the crest;
- wherein the at least one raised surface in the second portion is configured to pass through an opening in the orthopedic device and to engage the bone;
- and
- wherein the first portion is configured to have an interference fit within the opening in the orthopedic device.
A method for fracture fixation using an orthopedic device, comprising the steps of:
- reducing a fracture;
- placing the orthopedic device across the fracture;
- inserting a fastener through the orthopedic device for securing the orthopedic device to bone, wherein the fastener comprises:
- a shaft having a first portion and a second portion;
- a central longitudinal axis of the shaft passing through the first portion and the second portion;
- the first portion having a first end configured for contact by a driving force for moving the fastener;
- the second portion having a second end for engaging the bone;
- at least one raised surface in the second portion having a crest and a distance between the crest and the central longitudinal axis;
- wherein the at least one raised surface in the second portion is configured to pass through an opening in the orthopedic device and to engage the bone;
- and
- wherein the first portion is configured to have an interference fit with the opening in the orthopedic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.