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.
Claims12
A bone fixation system, comprising:
- a plate, configured for placement adjacent to a patient's bone, including a plurality of apertures each dimensioned to receive a fastener there through and a polymeric element adjacent at least one aperture, wherein the plate includes a recess in a surface of the plate that is adjacent to and in communication with at least two apertures;
- one or more fasteners configured to extend through the at least one aperture to secure the plate to the bone;
- a sonotrode configured to change a physical state of the at least one polymeric element;
- wherein upon introducing the sonotrode to the polymeric element, material of the at least one polymeric element flows into a space adjacent the fastener in the at least one aperture such that the material of the at least one polymeric element is in contact with both the wall of the spacer and the fastener;
- and
- wherein upon removing the sonotrode from the at least one polymeric element, the material of the at least one polymeric element is configured to harden to a solid state, thereby preventing the at least one fastener from moving relative to the wall of the spacer.
The bone fixation system of claim 14, wherein the polymeric material is configured to flow in each of the plurality of apertures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.