# US 2023/0056989 A1 · Bone fixation devices, systems, and methods

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- Number: US 2023/0056989 A1
- Document ID: US20230056989A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/889,866
- Filed: 2022-08-17
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2021-08-17
- Inventors: Edward PEREZ; Jan SZATKOWSKI; Nephi ZUFELT; Corey JOHNSON
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056989A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/7216: {for bone lengthening or compression (A61B17/7258 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/8635: {Tips of screws}
- A61B 17/1725: {for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins}
- A61B 17/1728: {for holes for bone plates or plate screws}
- A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails
- A61B 17/7233: {with special means of locking the nail to the bone}
- A61B 17/744: {the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail}
- A61B 17/8023: {Variable length plates adjustable in both directions}
- A61B 17/8057: {the interlocking form comprising a thread}
- A61B 17/8061: {specially adapted for particular bones (A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/808: {Instruments for holding or positioning bone plates, or for adjusting screw-to-plate locking mechanisms}
- A61B 17/863: {with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper}
- A61B 17/8085: {with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips (A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00991: {Telescopic means}
- A61B 2017/0404: {Buttons}
- A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A bone plate includes body having a bone-facing surface that faces a first side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use. The long bone includes the first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The bone plate also includes a low-profile fixation assembly that can secure one end to the long bone. The low-profile fixation assembly fixates the one end to the long bone by approaching the one end from one of the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the long bone.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bone plate for a long bone of a patient, the bone plate comprising:
a body having a first end, a second end, a superior surface that faces away from the long bone, and a bone-facing surface that faces a first side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use, the long bone comprising the first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side; and
a low-profile fixation assembly configured to secure the first end to the long bone, the low-profile fixation assembly configured to fixate the first end to the long bone by approaching the first end from at least one of the second side, the third side, and the fourth side.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, the low-profile fixation assembly comprising:
a fastener opening that extends from the bone-facing surface towards the superior surface;
a fastener having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a set of threads configured to engage corresponding threads of the fastener opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, the low-profile fixation assembly comprising:
an anchor opening that extends from the bone-facing surface and through the superior surface;
an anchor configured to sit proximal to the superior surface;
a head configured to sit proximal to the second side of the long bone when installed;
a tether having a distal end configured to engage with the anchor and a proximal end configured to engage with the head.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, the low-profile fixation assembly comprising:
a first arm proximal to the first end, the first arm comprising:
a superior surface that faces away from the long bone,
a bone-facing surface that faces a third side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use; and
wherein the first arm extends from the body in one of an anterior direction and a posterior direction in relation to the long bone; and
a fastener configured to engage with the first arm to fixate the first end to the long bone.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The bone plate of claim 4, further comprising
a fastener opening connected to the first arm, the fastener opening extending through the first arm, the fastener opening comprising internal threads; and
wherein the fastener includes external threads configured to engage with the third side of the long bone.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The bone plate of claim 5, wherein the fastener engages the fastener opening by passing first through the fastener opening and then into the third side of the long bone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The bone plate of claim 5, wherein the fastener engages the fastener opening by passing first through a side other than the first side of the long bone, then through the third side of the long bone, and then into the fastener opening.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the low-profile fixation assembly further comprises:
a second arm positioned between the second end and the first arm, the second arm comprising:
a superior surface that faces away from the long bone,
a bone-facing surface that faces a side other than the first side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use; and
wherein the second arm extends from the body in one of an anterior direction and a posterior direction in relation to the long bone; and
a fastener configured to engage with the second arm to fixate a portion of the body to the long bone.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, the low-profile fixation assembly comprising:
a fastener opening that extends from the bone-facing surface into the body and positioned proximal to the first end, the fastener opening having internal threads;
a fastener comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a length greater than a diameter of the long bone proximal to the fastener opening;
external threads near the distal end, the external threads configured to engage with the internal threads of the fastener opening; and
wherein the distal end of the fastener enters the fastener opening from the bone-facing surface and advances engaging the internal threads towards the superior surface of the body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, further comprising:
a distal fixation feature proximal to the second end, the distal fixation feature configured to engage with a condyle of the long bone; and
wherein the body is configured to extend along a medial side of the long bone.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The bone plate of claim 1, the low-profile fixation assembly comprising:
an anterior arm proximal to the first end, the anterior arm comprising:
a superior surface that faces away from the long bone,
a bone-facing surface that faces an anterior side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use;
wherein the anterior arm extends from the body around to the anterior side of the long bone;
an anterior fastener opening;
an anterior fastener configured to engage with the anterior fastener opening;
a posterior arm proximal to the first end, the posterior arm comprising:
a superior surface that faces away from the long bone,
a bone-facing surface that faces a posterior side of the long bone when the bone plate is in use, the posterior side opposite the anterior side;
wherein the posterior arm extends from the body around to the posterior side of the long bone; and
a posterior fastener opening; and
a posterior fastener configured to engage with the posterior fastener opening.

### Claim 12

A medial bone plate for a femur of a patient, the medial bone plate comprising:
a body configured to extend along a medial side of a femur, when in use;
a proximal end comprising a first arm that extends out over an anterior of the femur, when in use, the arm comprising at least one fastener opening; and
a distal end comprising a distal fixation feature comprising one or more fastener openings, the distal fixation feature configured to engage a medial epicondyle of the femur.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The medial bone plate of claim 12, wherein the first arm extends from the body in an anterior direction in relation to the femur having the medial bone plate and extends perpendicular to a long axis of the femur.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The medial bone plate of claim 12, wherein the first arm extends to one of an anterior side, a lateral side, and a posterior side of the femur.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The medial bone plate of claim 12, wherein the first arm extends over both the anterior side and a lateral side of the femur, the first arm comprising:
an anterior fastener opening that extends through the first arm and over the anterior side; and
a lateral fastener opening that extends through the first arm and over the lateral side.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The medial bone plate of claim 15, wherein the anterior fastener opening and lateral fastener opening are offset in relation to each other, such that an anterior fastener deployed in the anterior fastener opening does not interfere with a lateral fastener deployed in the lateral fastener opening.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The medial bone plate of claim 12, wherein the distal end is proximal to the medial epicondyle of the femur and the proximal end is proximal to a proximal metaphysis of the femur, the medial bone plate further comprising a second arm that extends from the body over an anterior side of the femur, the second arm between the distal fixation feature and the first arm.

### Claim 18

A method for deploying a medial bone plate on a distal end of a femur of a patient, the method comprising:
positioning a medial bone plate on a medial side of a distal end of a femur of the patient, the medial bone plate comprising:
a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a superior surface that faces away from a long bone of a patient, and a bone-facing surface that faces a medial side of the femur when the bone plate is positioned on the medial side of the distal end of the femur;
a bone-approach fixation feature; and
a plate-approach fixation feature proximal to the distal end and comprising one or more fastener openings;
deploying a bone-approach fastener to engage the bone-approach fixation feature by:
driving the bone-approach fastener through one of a lateral side, an anterior side, and a posterior side of the femur; and
after driving the bone-approach fastener through one of the lateral side, the anterior side, and the posterior side, engaging the bone-approach fixation feature with the bone-approach fastener; and
deploying a plate-approach fastener to engage the plate-approach fixation feature by:
driving the plate-approach fastener through the medial bone plate and into a medial cortex of the femur.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein positioning the medial bone plate on the medial side of the distal end of the femur further comprises:
opening skin of the patient proximal to a distal end of the femur;
percutaneously sliding the medial bone plate along the medial side of the femur, with parts of the femur in reduction.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein deploying the bone-approach fastener to engage the bone-approach fixation feature further comprises:
opening skin of the patient on one of a lateral side, an anterior side, and a posterior side of the femur that aligns with the bone-approach fixation feature;
deploying a K-wire through the skin opening to serve as a guide for the bone-approach fastener; and
wherein driving the bone-approach fastener comprises driving the bone-approach fastener over the K-wire.