Devices and methods for bone fixation
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorsRyan Donahoe, Andrew Morris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for bone fixation including a bone fixation system including a bone plate or intervertebral spacer including a plurality of apertures dimensioned to receive bone fasteners and at least one polymeric element capable of transitioning from a solid state to a flowable state. The polymeric element transitions to a flowable state as a result of exposure to ultrasonic vibration. The polymeric element is placed on the bone plate or intervertebral spacer adjacent a fastener in an aperture and acts to prevent rotational and/or translational movement of the fastener relative to the bone plate or intervertebral spacer.
Claims20
A bone fixation system, comprising:
- a spacer, configured for placement within an intervertebral disc space of a patient between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, including a wall having at least one aperture dimensioned for receiving a fastener there through and at least one polymeric element adjacent to the aperture;
- at least one fastener configured to extend through one of the one or more apertures to secure the spacer to one of the first and second vertebral bodies;
- a sonotrode configured change a physical state of the polymeric element;
- wherein upon introducing the sonotrode to the polymeric element, material of the polymeric element flows into a space adjacent the fastener in the aperture such that the material of the polymeric element is in contact with both the wall of the spacer and the fastener;
- and
- wherein upon removing the sonotrode from the polymeric element, the material of the polymeric element is configured to harden to a solid state, thereby preventing the fastener from moving relative to the wall of the spacer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.