Device for and method of treating acromioclavicular joint dislocations
AssigneeXtreme Orthopedics LLC
InventorWesley COX
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device that allows for the predictable/guided anatomic drilling of clavicular tunnels for graft, suture, or combined graft/suture reconstruction of the AC joint is provided. The device simultaneously allows for larger clavicle tunnels which permit graft passage while providing protection, via stress shielding, of the bone between and adjacent to the bone tunnels. In this way, the surgeon is able to utilize anatomically placed clavicular tunnels large enough for graft passage (which reduces the mechanical failure rate of the reconstruction and most closely replicates normal anatomy) while reducing the risk of clavicle fracture, which has plagued other “anatomic reconstruction” techniques.
Claims20
A clavicle plate for reinforcing a clavicle of a patient, the plate comprising:
- a main body having opposed first and second portions extending from opposed ends of a third portion;
- a positioning feature that is configured to assist with placement of said main body with respect to a clavicle of a patient;
- and
- first and second fastening means for securing respective first and second portions of said main body to respective first and second portions of the clavicle,
- wherein the third portion of said main body extends over a third portion of the clavicle.
A clavicle plate for reinforcing a clavicle of a patient, the plate comprising
- a main body defining first and second apertures associated with anatomical locations of respective first and second ligaments of the patient;
- a first fixation feature positioned anterior to said first aperture, said first fixation feature being configured so as to facilitate securing a first suture to said main body;
- and
- a second fixation feature positioned posterior to said second aperture, said second fixation feature being configured so as to facilitate securing a second suture to said main body.
The plate of claim 13, wherein the first ligament is a Conoid Ligament and the second ligament is a Trapezoid Ligament.
The plate of claim 13, further comprising a first button that is configured to interface with said first aperture, said first button being moveable between a seated configuration and an unseated configuration relative to said main body, wherein said first aperture and said first button define corresponding interface features.
The plate of claim 13, wherein said corresponding interface features include tapered walls such that said first aperture defines opposed top and bottom openings, said top opening being larger than said bottom opening.
A method of treating acromioclavicular joint dislocations, the method comprising:
- positioning a main body of a plate relative to a clavicle of a patient;
- securing a first portion of the main body to a first portion of the clavicle;
- and
- securing a second portion of the main body to a second portion of the clavicle,
- wherein a third portion of the main body extending between the first and second portions of the main body extends over a third portion of the clavicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.