# US 2014/0194907 A1 · Fixation systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194907 A1 - Document ID: US20140194907A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/831,826 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-05 - Assignees: P Tech, LLC - Applicants: P Tech, LLC - Inventors: Peter M. Bonutti; Matthew J. Cremens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194907A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/8866: {for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators (joint distractors A61B17/025)} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/12109: {in a blood vessel} - A61B 17/12131: {characterised by the type of occluding device} - A61B 17/683: {comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut} - A61F 2/0805: {Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments} - A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments} - A61B 17/0487: {Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks (suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122)} - A61B 17/12168: {having a mesh structure (A61B17/1214 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/1219: {expandable in contact with liquids} - A61B 17/744: {the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail} - A61B 17/80: Cortical plates {, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates} - A61B 17/8872: {Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone (A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/00659: {located only on one side of the opening} - A61B 2017/0404: {Buttons} - A61B 2017/0406: {Pledgets} - A61B 2017/0411: {Instruments for removing suture anchors} - A61B 2017/0414: {having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening} - A61B 2017/0417: {T-fasteners} - A61B 2017/0453: {threaded elements, e.g. set screws} - A61B 2017/0496: {for tensioning sutures} - A61F 2002/0835: {with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw} - A61F 2002/0852: {Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes} - A61F 2002/0858: {Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges} - A61F 2002/0882: {Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixation system for securing first and second body tissue portions of a fracture, the system comprising: a base component having an passage; an insert component being positionable within at least a portion of the passage; and an elongate member configured to be positioned through first and second body tissue portions; wherein the elongate member is tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second body tissue portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base and insert components are pressed together to secure the elongate member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein an interior bore of the base component and an exterior surface of the insert component are joined together by mating tapered surfaces. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein an interior taper of the base component is configured to match an exterior taper of the insert component to lock the elongate member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a taper means is disposed between the base component and insert component to promote locking of the elongate member while it is tensioned through a bone hole and the insert component is pulled into the base component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component has a cylindrical portion dimensioned to a drilled hole in a proximal bone portion ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion provides additional contact length for locking the elongate member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion is configured to minimize the height protruding above a surface of the bone portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion is configured to stabilize the base and insert components by maintaining a position relative to the hole in body tissue. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component includes at least one tab configured to conform to a proximal bone surface and resist the base component from being pulled into a drilled hole on the proximal bone surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the base component includes two, three, or more tabs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the tab surrounds the perimeter of the base component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to pass through the first and second body tissue portions and be secured on a distal bone surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component includes a smooth and tapered interior surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component includes a tapered distal portion and a threaded proximal interior portion configured to mate with the insert component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes a passage configured to receive the elongate member and a distal portion configured to pinch the elongate member against the base component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes threads on a proximal exterior portion for mating with threads in the base component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes a square, star, or hex shaped recess for screwing the insert component into the base component. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes a recess configured to receive a removal tool for un-screwing the insert component from the base component. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes two or more finger members around a passage through the insert component that are configured to collapse and lock against the elongate member when the insert component is pressed into the base component. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes a tapered exterior configured to press and lock the elongate member between an exterior surface of the insert component and an interior surface of the base component. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component includes a drilled or tapped passage into a portion of a length of the insert component, the passage being configured to receive a threaded instrument. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the insert component is configured to be removed from the base component by screwing a threaded tip tool into a passage in the insert component until the tool locks or bottoms in the insert component. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the insert component is configured to be loosened by rotation of the tool and removed by pulling the tool. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a plate or rod. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein the plate or rod includes holes to receive a cannulated drill for making a passage through the fracture. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the cannulated drill is configured to pass a fastener and elongate member through a cannulated portion of the cannulated drill. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein the plate or rod includes tapered holes configured to allow locking of the elongate member independent of the base component. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein the plate or rod includes holes or cavities. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base or insert component includes a metallic, polymer, or resorbable material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The system of claim 30, wherein the metallic material includes stainless steel or titanium. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The system of claim 30, wherein the polymer material includes PEEK. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component and insert component are different materials. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a metallic material. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base component includes metal and the insert component includes PEEK. ### Claim 36 A fixation system for securing first and second body tissue portions of a fracture, the system comprising: a fixation device; and an elongate member configured to be positioned through first and second body tissue portions; and a bone clamp configured to urge the first and second body tissue portions together, wherein the elongate member is tensioned and secured with the fixation device to secure the first and second body tissue portions. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The system of claim 36, wherein the bone clamp configured as a drill guide. ### Claim 38 A fixation system for securing a first and second body tissue portions of a fracture, the system comprising: a fixation device having a base component with a passage and an insert component being positionable within at least a portion of the passage of the base component; a fastener configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions and on a distal body tissue surface; an elongate member configured to connect the fastener and fixation device; wherein the elongate member is tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure fixation device relative to the elongate member thereby securing the first and second body tissue portions. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, further comprising a fastener including a rigid, soft, flexible, or deformable material. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the fastener may be attached to an awl, drill bit, or punch. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40, wherein the fastener is configured to create a passage through the first and second body tissue portions and be positioned with an end of the elongate member when the awl is removed. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the elongate member is passed through, along, or around the fastener. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the fastener is configured to close, deform, bunch, or tighten when the elongate member is tensioned. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the elongate member is configured to slide freely through the fastener. ### Claim 45 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the fastener includes two or more individual components with an aligned configuration for passage through body tissue and an interlocked configuration to secure the elongate member. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45, wherein at least a portion of the fastener components are deformable or flexible. ### Claim 47 A method of positioning a fixation system for first and second body tissue portions of a fracture, the method comprising: passing a fastener connected to an elongate member through first and second body tissue portions; securing the fastener relative to a distal body tissue surface; positioning a base component of a fixation device along the elongate member; tensioning the elongate member; and positioning an insert component of a fixation device into a portion of the base component and against the elongate member, wherein the elongate member is pinched between the base component and insert component thereby securing the first and second body tissue portions relative to each other. ### Claim 48 A method of positioning a fixation system for securing a fracture of a joint of a body, the method comprising: passing a fastener connected to an elongate member through proximal and distal fragments of the fracture; securing a plate with respect to the proximal fragment; tensioning the elongate member to urge the first and second fragments together; and locking a fixation device against the elongate member and the plate. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, further comprising positioning the elongate member around or through the joint replacement. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the fixation device include a mesh, collagen, or biologic. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the fastener includes a mesh, collagen, or biologic. ### Claim 52 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the fixation device and fastener include permanent or resorbable materials. ### Claim 53 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the fixation device and fastener include a tissue growth promoting material. ### Claim 54 A method of using a fixation system to repair a defect in a passage, the method comprising: positioning an implant disposed over an introducer adjacent the defect in the passage expanding the introducer radially to urge the implant against the passage; contracting the introducer radially while the implant remains expanded against the passage; and retracting the introducer axially while the implant remains in the passage.