Patent ID: 11937858
Assignee: AVANTI ORTHOPAEDICS, LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 15:
16. A method of bracing a bone fracture comprising the steps of:
a) providing a load sharing bone plate system comprising load sharing bone plate comprising:
i. a top surface;
ii. a bone contact surface;
iii. a length;
iv. a width;
v. a first end;
vi. a second end;
vii. a first side from a centerline;
viii. a second side from the centerline;
ix. a body portion having a thickness; and
x. a plurality of directional apertures comprising:
a first proximal directional aperture configured proximal to said bone fracture, on the first side and nearer said first end of said bone plate;
a second proximal directional aperture configured proximal to said fracture on the second side and nearer said second end of said bone plate;

wherein said first proximal directional aperture is configured with a width angle and a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the second end, and across the width toward the second side;
wherein said second proximal directional aperture is configured with a width angle and length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the first end, and across the width toward the first side;
a first distal directional aperture configured distal said bone fracture and proximal the first end of said bone plate;
a second distal directional aperture configured distal said bone fracture and proximal the second end of said bone plate;

wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured with a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the first end;
wherein said second distal directional aperture is configured with a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the second end;
wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured on the second side and the second distal directional aperture is configured on the first side;
wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener across the width from said second side to said first side; and
wherein said second distal directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener across the width from said first side to said second side;
xi) a polymeric insert configured in at least one of the plurality of directional apertures;

b) configuring said load sharing bone plate over a diaphyseal or metaphyseal fractured bone having said bone fracture in a portion of said bone with said first proximal directional aperture to one side of said fracture and said second proximal directional aperture to an opposing side of said fracture;
c) providing a plurality of fasteners;
d) inserting a fastener from the plurality of fasteners into each of said directional apertures; and
e) securing said fasteners into the bone, whereby said load sharing bone plate is attached to the bone to support the bone on either side of said fracture.