# US 8,771,324 B2 · Securing fasteners > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,324 B2 - Document ID: US8771324B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/117,379 - Filed: 2011-05-27 - Published: 2012-11-29 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-27 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Michael Black; Matthew Hansell; Jon Suh - Inventors: Michael Black; Matthew Hansell; Jon Suh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771324B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8038: {the additional component being inserted in the screw head} - A61B 17/8047: {wherein the additional element surrounds the screw head in the plate hole (A61B17/8052 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/8057: {the interlocking form comprising a thread} - A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone} - A61B 17/8685: {comprising multiple separate parts} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A fastener, for example a bone screw, is sized to pass into an aperture of an implant, for example a bone plate, the fastener having an anchor portion engageable with body tissue, and a head portion formed by an assembly of an insert and an anchor extension. The implant has an aperture with a reduced entry dimension. The insert and anchor extension cooperate to form a reduced dimension passable into the aperture, and an expanded dimension not passable out of the aperture. The size of the assembly is configurable by bending resilient tabs of the anchor extension or the implant, using ramped surfaces, or an expanding diameter of a threadable insert. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener for securing body tissue relative to an implant, the implant having an aperture with a narrowed entry portion, the fastener comprising: an anchor portion configured for passing through the aperture and attaching to body tissue; a head portion extending from the anchor portion; and an insert at least partially received within the head portion, wherein the head portion includes at least one gapped region and at least one ungapped region, wherein the insert includes at least one resilient tab dimensioned to occupy at least a portion of the at least one ungapped region, wherein the insert forms a first dimension sized larger than a dimension of the narrowed entry portion, the at least one resilient tabs bendable allowing the insert to form a second reduced dimension relative to the first dimension, the insert passable past the narrowed entry portion and into the aperture when the tab forms the second dimension wherein the insert includes a first retainer provided with a flange with a gapped region to resiliently bend or deflect to pass over a second retainer located on the head portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a plurality of resilient tabs and the head portion includes a plurality of gapped and ungapped regions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a tool receiving aperture for engaging a tool for driving the fastener into body tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fastener of claim 3, wherein the at least one resilient tab of the insert abuts an end of the at least one ungapped region of the head portion when the insert is rotated by the tool thereby causing the head portion and anchor portion to rotate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the head portion and the insert form a curved exterior surface, said curved surface pivotably engageable with a curved surface inside the aperture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the insert includes an insert retainer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fastener of claim 6, wherein the head portion includes a head retainer, the head retainer capable of receiving the insert retainer to further retain a portion of the insert in the head portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein at least one of the head portion, the insert, and the anchor portion are cannulated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The fastener of claim 6, wherein said insert retainer includes a flange with a gapped region to allow for resilient deflection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fastener of claim 9, wherein the head retainer includes a groove to receive the flange of the insert retainer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the insert is preassembled into the head portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes a ledge portion and the tab includes an underside portion that faces the ledge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fastener of claim 12, wherein the ledge portion contacts the underside portion to urge the tab into engagement with a surface inside the aperture to resist fastener back out from the implant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1, wherein at least one of the insert and the head portion include visual feedback to indicate the insert is secured to the head portion. ### Claim 15 A system for securing body tissue, the system comprising: an implant having an aperture with a narrowed entry portion; a fastener having an anchor portion configured for passing through the aperture and attaching to body tissue and a head portion extending from the anchor portion; and an insert at least partially received within the head portion, the insert having at least one resilient tab and forming a first dimension sized larger than a dimension of the narrowed entry portion, the at least one resilient tabs bendable allowing the insert to form a second reduced dimension relative to the first dimension, the insert passable past the narrowed entry portion and into the aperture when the tab forms the second dimension, wherein the head portion forms a dimension that is generally equal to or smaller than the narrowed entry portion such that the head portion is passable past the narrowed entry portion, wherein the insert includes a first retainer provided with a flange with a gapped region to resiliently bend or deflect to pass over a second retainer located on the head portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fastener of claim 15, wherein the visual feedback includes at least one colored ring that is visible when the insert is not secured to the head portion and is obscured when the insert is secured to the head portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the head portion includes at least one gapped region and at least one ungapped region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one tab of the insert is dimensioned to be at least partially received within the at least one gapped region in the head portion.