Bone fixation and compression systems
AssigneeUniversity of Utah
InventorsErik N. Kubiak, Charles L. Saltzman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for stabilizing and/or compressing portions of bone are provided. In some aspects, a bone plate system may comprise a plate having a bone engaging surface. The plate may be fastened to two bone portions having a joint line therebetween. The system may also include a keel projecting from the bone engaging surface. The keel may extend into the bone portions and span the joint line when the plate is fastened to the bone portions. In some aspects, a ratio of an average thickness of the plate to an average width of the plate may be less than or equal to about 0.11.
Claims20
A method for stabilizing and compressing portions of bone, the method comprising:
- affixing a plate to a first bone portion, the plate comprising a first hole at a first portion of the plate;
- inserting a first fastener through the first hole into the first bone portion, and thereafter through a contact surface of the first bone portion, and thereafter through a contact surface of a second bone portion and into the second bone portion, such that when the first fastener is advanced, the contact surface of the first bone portion makes contact with the contact surface of the second bone portion;
- and
- progressively advancing the first fastener such that the first and second bone portions become aligned with each other and progressively compress against each other.
A bone plate system for stabilizing and compressing portions of bone, the system comprising:
- a plate, having a bone engaging surface and configured to be fastened to a first bone portion and a second bone portion having a joint line therebetween;
- a keel projecting from the bone engaging surface, the keel extending into the first and second bone portions and spanning the joint line when the plate is fastened to the first and second bone portions;
- and
- a fin projecting from the keel, the fin configured such that as the plate is fastened to the first and second bone portions, the fin (a) is inserted through a contact surface of the second bone portion and into the second bone portion, and thereafter (b) is progressively advanced into the second bone portion such that a contact surface of the first bone portion makes contact with the contact surface of the second bone portion.
A bone plate system for stabilizing portions of bone, the system comprising:
- a plate, having a bone engaging surface and configured to be fastened to two bone portions having a joint line therebetween;
- a keel projecting from the bone engaging surface, the keel extending into the bone portions and spanning the joint line when the plate is fastened to the bone portions;
- and
- a spacer in or on at least one of the plate and the keel, and configured to reside between the bone portions when the plate is fastened to the bone portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.