Patent ID: 9220549
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A monolithic distal radius fixation plate for volar plating having a longitudinal axis along a length of the plate from a distal end of the plate to a proximal end of the plate, comprising: a distal radius fixation plate body configured to be placed adjacent a fractured volar distal radius and proximal to a watershed line of the volar distal radius; and a single distal radius fixation plate extension at least 20% thinner on average than the distal radius fixation plate body and projecting from the distal radius fixation plate body and configured to be placed so that the plate extension extends distal to the watershed line, the plate extension comprising a curvilinear distal end and a remainder of the plate extension, the distal end of the plate extension configured to curve around and buttress a volar lip at an ulnar/volar corner of the distal radius with a full length of the plate body adjacent the fractured volar distal radius proximal to the watershed line without the distal end of the plate extension curving around other parts of the volar lip of the distal radius, the distal end of the plate extension being a hooked distal end configured to curve across an external angle more than 90 rotational degrees and up to 120 rotational degrees relative to a distal part of the remainder of the plate extension so as to curve around and engage the volar lip at the ulnar/volar corner, a continuous width of the hooked distal end configured to engage the volar lip across a width of the ulnar/volar corner by following a con tour of a curve of the volar lip with minimized risk of irritating or rupturing tendons, wherein the plate is shaped so that the plate extension protrudes distally on an ulnar/volar side of the plate without protruding distally on a radial/volar side of the plate such that the plate is asymmetric along any vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the plate body is asymmetric along any vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.