An acromial plate for use with an acromion, comprising: an acromial support structure having a superior surface, inferior surface, and a posterior edge, the superior surface of the acromial support structure conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion and having at least one screw hole therethrough for receiving a screw, the trajectory of the screw hole therethrough the acromion; an extension having at least one screw hole therethrough for receiving a screw therethrough, the extension extending along at least one surface of the clavicle, the trajectory of the screw hole oriented to project therethrough a clavicle, whereby the acromial support structure buttresses the acromion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An acromial plate for treating and preventing or minimizing fractures of the acromion. It is currently known that acromial stress reaction and fractures are a potential complication of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and other etiologies.

Shoulder injuries are the third most common musculoskeletal complaint. In raw numbers, shoulder injuries are only surpassed by complaints of lower back pain and neck pain. Most shoulder injuries are treated non-operatively. Fractures of the acromion represent a significant danger for patients potentially requiring surgical intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention prevents, mitigates, and treats acromial fractures. Acromial fractures may result from trauma or may occur due to stress or the acromial fracture may occur post-operatively. Acromial stress reaction and fractures are also recognized as potential complication of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. The present invention may treat a primary fracture or be used as prophylaxis, i.e. to prevent acromial fractures.

FIG.1Aillustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a typical human's shoulder and also illustrates the structures comprising the shoulder.

FIG.1Billustrates an X-ray of the typical human's shoulder.

FIG.1Cillustrates the position of the acromion in the human skeleton.

FIG.2illustrates a Rockwood classification of acromioclavicular joint injuries. The Rockwood classification illustrates six types of acromial fractures (I, II, III, IV, V, and VI).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An acromial plate for use with an acromion, comprising: an acromial support structure having a superior surface, inferior surface, and a posterior edge, the superior surface of the acromial support structure conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion and having at least one screw hole therethrough for receiving a screw, the trajectory of the screw hole therethrough the acromion; an extension having at least one screw hole therethrough for receiving a screw therethrough, the extension extending along at least one surface of a clavicle, the trajectory of the screw hole oriented to project therethrough the clavicle, whereby the acromial support structure buttresses the acromion.

These and other embodiments will be more fully appreciated from the description below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

FIG.3illustrates an acromial plate10for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate10having an acromial support structure20having a superior surface22, inferior surface23, a distal edge24, a medial edge25, an anterior edge26, and a posterior edge27. The superior surface22conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion A and having at least one screw hole28therethrough for receiving a screw29, the trajectory of the screw hole28is, preferably, an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole28might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial support structure20to the acromion A is appropriate. The acromial support structure20having an extension30having at least one screw hole32therethrough for receiving a screw33therethrough. The extension30extending along at least one surface of the clavicle C, the trajectory of the screw hole32oriented to project therethrough a clavicle C. The acromial support structure20, and extension30buttress the acromion A and treat and prevent acromial fractures. The embodiment ofFIG.3illustrate the extension30fixed to an anterior surface of clavicle C.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate an acromial plate110for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate110having an acromial support structure120having a superior surface122, inferior surface123, a distal edge124, a medial edge125, an anterior edge126, and a posterior edge127. The superior surface122conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion A and having at least one screw hole128therethrough for receiving a screw129, the trajectory of the screw hole128is an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole128might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial plate110to the acromion A is appropriate. The acromial support structure120having an extension130having at least one screw hole132therethrough for receiving a screw133therethrough. The extension130extending along at least one surface of the clavicle C, the trajectory of the screw hole132oriented to project therethrough a clavicle C. The acromial support structure120, and extension130buttress the acromion A and treat and prevent acromial fractures. The embodiment ofFIGS.4A and4Billustrates the extension130fixed to the inferior surface of clavicle C.

FIGS.5A and5Billustrate an acromial plate210for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate210having an acromial support structure220having a superior surface222, inferior surface223, a distal edge224, a medial edge225, an anterior edge226, and a posterior edge227.FIG.5Billustrates the superior surface222conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion A and having at least one screw hole228therethrough for receiving a screw229, the trajectory of the screw hole228is an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole228might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial plate210to the acromion A is appropriate. The acromial support structure220having an extension230having at least one screw hole232therethrough for receiving a screw233therethrough. The extension230extending along at least one surface of the scapula S, the trajectory of the screw hole232oriented to project therethrough scapula S. The acromial support structure220, and extension230buttress the acromion A and treat and prevent acromial fractures. The embodiment ofFIGS.5A and5Billustrates the extension230fixed to the posterior surface of scapula S.

FIGS.6A,6B,6C, and6Dillustrate an acromial plate310for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate310having an acromial support structure320having a superior surface322, inferior surface323, a distal edge324, a medial edge325.FIGS.6A,6B,6C, and6Dillustrate the superior surface322conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion A and having at least one screw hole328therethrough for receiving a screw329, the trajectory of the screw hole328is an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole328might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial plate310to the acromion A is appropriate. The acromial support structure320having an extension330having at least one screw hole332therethrough for receiving a screw333therethrough. The extension330extending along the inferior surface of the scapular spine SS of scapula S, the trajectory of the screw hole332oriented to project therethrough scapula spine SS. The embodiment ofFIG.6Dillustrates the extension330fixed to the inferior surface of the scapula spine SS of scapula S. Preferably, extension330conforms to the underside of scapular spine SS. The acromial support structure320, and extension330buttress the acromion A and treat and prevent acromial fractures.

FIG.6Eillustrates an acromial plate410for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate410having an acromial support structure420having a superior surface422, inferior surface423, a distal edge424, a medial edge425(not visible). The embodiment ofFIG.6Eillustrates a lip412. Lip412is preferably integral with plate410. Lip412extends around the edge of acromion A and minimizes or prevents plate410being inaccurately placed on the inferior side of acromion A. Lip412may be thought of as a lip or “shoe” that prevents or mitigates plate410from sliding along acromion A such that plate412does not fully coincide with acromion A, i.e., the inferior surface of acromion A fully contacts the superior surface of plate410. Plate410buttress the acromion A and treats and prevent acromial fractures. Preferably, lip412may extend along the anterior and posterior edges of the acromion. Plate410having at least one screw hole428therethrough for receiving a screw429, the trajectory of the screw hole428is an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole428might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial plate410to the acromion A is appropriate. The acromial support structure420having an extension430having at least one screw hole432therethrough for receiving a screw433therethrough.

FIG.6Fillustrates an acromial plate510for use with an acromion A. The acromial plate510having an acromial support structure520having a superior surface522, inferior surface523, a distal edge524, a medial edge525(not visible).FIG.6Fillustrates the superior surface522conforming to the inferior surface of the acromion A and having at least one screw hole528therethrough for receiving a screw529, the trajectory of the screw hole528is an inferior to superior orientation. Alternatively, screw hole528might be thought of as having a superior to inferior trajectory. However, no specific trajectory is required and any trajectory that permits fixation of acromial plate510to the acromion A is appropriate.FIG.6Fillustrates that acromial support surface520might only extend partially along acromion A, i.e., that plate510supports only a portion of acromion A. However, whatever portion of the acromion A is supported, the acromial support structure520buttresses the acromion and treats and prevents acromial fractures.

Preferably, any extension (e.g.130,230,330,430,530) is integral with the other elements of the acromial plate. Fixation of the acromial plate is preferably accomplished with screws, pins, buttons, sutures, or the like. Installation of the acromial plate is preferably accomplished using a lateral incision or an anterior incision to position the plate on the inferior surface of the acromion A.

There are three morphologically distinct types of acromia: flat, curved and hooked. Thus, in many humans, the inferior surface of the acromion is not flat. In the preferred embodiment, the inferior surface of the acromial support structure would be modeled and the superior surface of the acromial support structure would be prepared to conform to the inferior surface of the acromion. An example of a device used to model the inferior surface of the acromion is the 3-D computer tomography scanner, 320-slice CT Scanner, Aquilon One by Toshiba.

Preferably, the acromial plates can be fixed to the acromion A and scapula S, scapular spine of the scapula SS, or clavicle C by a screw, button, suture, or other fixation to fix, i.e. attach/fasten metal to bone. Particularly preferably, the screw or other fixation device should be flush with the bone.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, the same is to be considered as an illustration and is not limited to the exact embodiments shown and described. All equivalents, changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are also protected by the claims that are set forth below.