Patent ID: 8758347
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A plate for adjusting a position of a first piece of bone with respect to a second piece of bone, the plate comprising: a first section comprising a first upper exterior surface, a first lower exterior surface, a first outer edge, a first distal end, a first coupling end across the first section from the first distal end, at least one first section bone screw hole, and a first bone screw countersunk in one of the at least one first section bone screw hole, the one of the at least one first section bone screw hole including a first locking ring that prevents the first bone screw from backing out of the respective one of the at least one first section bone screw hole; a second section comprising a second upper exterior surface, a second lower exterior surface, a second outer edge, a second distal end, a second coupling end across the second section from the second distal end, at least one second section bone screw hole, and a second bone screw countersunk in one of the at least one second section bone screw hole, the one of the at least one second section bone screw hole including a second locking ring that prevents the second bone screw from backing out of the respective one of the at least one second section bone screw hole; a first ring slot circumscribing the one of the at least one first section bone screw hole disposed between the first upper exterior surface and the first lower exterior surface of the first section and extending to the first outer edge; a second ring slot circumscribing the one of the at least one second section bone screw hole disposed between the second upper exterior surface and the second lower exterior surface of the second section and extending to the second outer edge; a gear disposed between the first section and the second section, the gear comprising a rotating unit; a first section gear strip engaging the gear and coupled to the first section; and a second section gear strip engaging the gear and coupled to the second section, wherein rotating the rotating unit in a first direction rotates the gear on the first section gear strip and the second section gear strip, to move the first section toward the second section, and rotating the rotating unit in a second direction rotates the gear on the first section gear strip and the second section gear strip to move the first section away from the second section, wherein each of the first and second locking rings comprises an interior edge and an exterior edge, a plurality of radial slots partially cut through each of the first and second locking rings from the interior edge toward the exterior edge, and an expansion unit which allows expansion of a diameter of each of the first and second locking rings, wherein each of the first and second bone screws comprises a head wider than an interior dimension defined by the interior edge of the respective first or second locking ring and having a flat outer face and a tapered inner face, and wherein each of the first locking ring and the second locking ring is disposed in a respective one of the first and second ring slots and is prevented from exiting the respective first or second ring slot at the respective first outer edge or second outer edge by at least one slot pin, each of the at least one slot pin disposed through a slot pin hole extending from the respective first or second upper exterior surface of the respective first or second section adjacent to the respective one of the at least one first section bone screw hole or the respective one of the at least one second section bone screw hole.