# US 2019/0167320 A1 · Implant positioning devices and methods

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- Number: US 2019/0167320 A1
- Document ID: US20190167320A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/263,100
- Filed: 2019-01-31
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-08-20
- Assignees: Jace Medical, LLC
- Applicants: Jace Medical, LLC
- Inventors: Scott Steffensmeier; Jason Detweiler; Justin James May
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167320A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/808: {Instruments for holding or positioning bone plates, or for adjusting screw-to-plate locking mechanisms}
- A61B 17/1728: {for holes for bone plates or plate screws}
- A61B 17/1789: {for the sternum}
- A61B 17/865: {Packages or dispensers for bone screws or threaded wires}
- A61B 17/8023: {Variable length plates adjustable in both directions}
- A61B 17/8076: {for the ribs or the sternum}
- A61B 17/90: Guides therefor
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An implant positioning device including a guide and holder for fasteners used in orthopaedic fixation for use in affixing a plate-like member to a bone or other part of a patient. The guide and holder includes a base adapted to align with the plate in a manner to orient fasteners with the plate for fixation. A plurality of fastener holders are on the base and adapted to releasably hold a fastener in a manner where the fastener is exposed at a proximal end for access by a fastener driver and aligned at a distal end with an aperture on the plate through which the fastener is to be driven.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for positioning an orthopaedic fixation device, comprising:
a compression attachment mechanism configured to removably couple to a plate;
a fastener guide coupled to the compression attachment mechanism and configured to receive a fastener; and
a spring member disposed in the fastener guide and configured to hold the fastener in the fastener guide.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the compression attachment mechanism includes attachment feet adapted to removably couple the plate to the compression attachment mechanism in alignment with the fastener guide.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the spring member includes a collar and one or more prongs extending downwardly from the collar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, wherein the spring member includes three prongs extending downwardly from the collar.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener guide includes a first fastener guide and a second fastener guide disposed on opposing sides of the compression attachment mechanism.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, wherein each of the first fastener guide and the second fastener guide include a plurality of fastener housings configured to receive individual fasteners.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the compression attachment mechanism includes:
first and second supports;
a first rail extending through the first support, through a first aperture in a mounting structure of the fastener guide, and coupled to the second support;
a first spring is disposed on the first rail between the first support and the mounting structure;
a first stop disposed on the first rail between the first spring and the first support; and
a first gripping portion coupled to the first rail proximal to the first support.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the spring is configured to compress between the first stop and the mounting structure upon application of a force in a direction towards the second support.

### Claim 9

A combined guide and holder for fasteners used in orthopaedic fixation, wherein a plate is to be affixed to a bone, comprising:
a base adapted to align with the plate in a manner to orient fasteners with the plate for fixation;
a plurality of fastener holders on the base, each fastener holder adapted to releasably hold a fastener in a manner where the fastener is exposed at a proximal end for access by a fastener driver and aligned at a distal end with an aperture in the plate through which the fastener is to be driven.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fastener holders are tubular.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, further comprising a biasing element extending inboard from a tubular sidewall holding an individual fastener in an individual fastener holder.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The device of claim 11, wherein multiple biasing elements are spaced about the tubular sidewall to center the individual fastener.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, further comprising a compression attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the plate to the base.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the base includes a recess sized and shaped to receive the plate.

### Claim 15

A device for positioning an orthopaedic fixation device, comprising:
a base, including:
a mounting structure;
a first fastener guide coupled to the mounting structure; and
a second fastener guide coupled to the mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is between the first and second fastener guides; and
a compression attachment mechanism coupled to the base and configured to releasably hold a plate and align the plate with at least one of the first and second fastener guides.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second fastener guides include a fastener housing configured to receive a fastener.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, further comprising a spring member disposed in the fastener housing and configured to hold the fastener in the fastener guide.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second fastener guides include a bottom recess sized and shaped to receive the plate.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the compression attachment mechanism releasably holds the plate in the recess.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein the base further includes a spike extending from a bottom of the base to assist in placing and holding the device in a