Zero profile template for installation of surgical plate
OwnerJeffrey Bertinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for safely creating a cavity within living bone into which a plate or implant can be embedded or countersunk. A template is attached to the bone in a required location and is used to control the working depth of a cutting tool used to remove bone within an area limited by the template into which the plate can be placed.
Claims19
A method of installing an implant in at least one bone, comprising:
- (a) providing an implant having a predetermined shape and size;
- (b) providing a template having a track for guiding a cutter in three dimensions;
- (c) placing said template on said at least one bone and guiding said cutter with said track using said cutter to form a cavity with a shape and size determined by said template;
- and
- (d) thereafter, affixing said implant to said at least one bone within said cavity.
A method of interconnecting at least two bony areas comprising:
- (a) providing a surgical plate having a length, width, and a thickness;
- (b) creating a cavity in said at least two bony areas, said cavity bridging said bony areas;
- said cavity having a length and a width substantially the same as said length and said width of said plate and having a depth substantially the same as said thickness of said plate;
- (c) fitting said plate within said cavity;
- and
- (d) fastening said plate to said at least two bony areas.
A method of affixing a surgical plate to at least one bone comprising:
- (a) providing a plate having a length, a width, and a thickness;
- (b) placing a template on said at least one bone, said template defining an internal area having a length and a width substantially the same as said plate, and said template further having means for guiding a cutter in three dimensions;
- (c) associating a cutter with said means for guiding and forming a cavity with said cutter, said cavity having a length and width substantially the same as said length and said width of said plate and having a depth substantially the same as said thickness of said plate;
- and
- (d) affixing said plate to said at least one bone within said cavity.
An apparatus for guiding the removal of bone in order to countersink an implant, said implant having a length, a width and a thickness, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a template, said template including a frame defining an internal area having a length and a width related to the length and width of said implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.