Abstract:
The current invention comprises a bone plate and method of use contoured to fit above the medial epicondyle that provides numerous apertures for fixation to the distal femur as desired with an offset screw design in shaft to allow location of screws around a nail or other feature and may also allow for attachment in conjunction with a lateral distal plate and or an extension plate that may cover the medial condyle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is claimed from provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/957,196, filed on Jun. 26, 2013, and incorporated by referenced herein. 
     
    
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to surgical devices, system and method for internal fixation of fractures and non-unions of bones such as the femur. More particularly, the present invention provides a bone plating system for distal femur fractures and non-unions generally utilizing a specifically contoured bone plate or plates that fit to a corresponding specific portion or portions of the lower extremity of the femur. 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF THE KNOWN PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    As known, the femur is the only bone in the thigh of humans and is the longest, heaviest and by most measures the strongest bone in the human body. The femur or thighbone is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping and is categorized as a long bone and comprises a diaphysis, the shaft or body and two epiphyses that articulate with adjacent bones in the hip and knee. The femur is typically discussed as three general portions: the upper or proximal region, the middle portion referred to as the body or shaft, and the lower region often referred to as the distal femur, including the distal metaphysis and two condyles. 
         [0004]    The lower extremity of the femur or distal extremity is larger than the upper extremity. It is somewhat cuboid in form, but its transverse diameter is greater than its antero-posterior. It consists of two oblong eminences known as the condyles. 
         [0005]    Anteriorly, the condyles are slightly prominent and are separated by a smooth shallow articular depression called the patellar trochlea. Posteriorly, they project considerably and a deep notch, the intercondylar fossa of femur, is present between them. The lateral condyle is the more prominent and is the broader both in its antero-posterior and transverse diameters. The medial condyle is the longer and, when the femur is held with its body perpendicular, projects to a lower level. When, however, the femur is in its natural oblique position the lower surfaces of the two condyles lie practically in the same horizontal plane. The condyles are not quite parallel with one another; the long axis of the lateral is almost directly antero-posterior, but that of the medial runs backward and medialward. Their opposed surfaces are small, rough, and concave, and form the walls of the intercondyloid fossa. This fossa is limited above by a ridge, the intercondyloid line, and below by the central part of the posterior margin of the patellar surface. The posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint is attached to the lower and front part of the medial wall of the fossa and the anterior cruciate ligament to an impression on the upper and back part of its lateral wall. 
         [0006]    The articular surface of the lower end of the femur occupies the anterior, inferior, and posterior surfaces of the condyles. Its front part is named the patellar trochlea and articulates with the patella. It presents a median groove, which extends downward to the intercondyloid fossa and two convexities, the lateral of which is broader, more prominent, and extends farther upward than the medial. 
         [0007]    Each condyle is surmounted by an elevation, the epicondyle. The medial epicondyle is a large convex eminence to which the tibial collateral ligament of the knee joint is attached. At its upper part is the adductor tubercle and behind it is a rough impression, which gives origin to the medial head of the gastrocnemius. The lateral epicondyle, which is smaller and less prominent than the medial, gives attachment to the fibular collateral ligament of the knee-joint. 
         [0008]    The knee is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. The distal femur makes up the top part of the knee joint. The upper part of the shinbone or tibia supports the bottom part of the knee joint. The ends of the femur are covered in a smooth, slippery substance called articular cartilage. This cartilage protects and cushions the bone when bending and straightening the knee. 
         [0009]    The body of the femur or shaft is long, slender and almost cylindrical in form and connects to the distal portion. It is a little broader above than in the center, broadest and somewhat flattened from before backward below. It is slightly arched, so as to be convex in front, and concave behind, where it is strengthened by a prominent longitudinal ridge, the linea aspera that diverges proximal and distal as the medial and lateral ridge. 
         [0010]    Fractures of the thighbone that occur just above the knee joint are called distal femur fractures. The distal femur is where the bone flares out like an upside-down funnel. Fractures of the distal femur most commonly occur in two patient types that being younger people typically considered under age  50  and the elderly. 
         [0011]    Distal femur fractures in younger patients are usually caused by high-energy injuries, such as falls from significant heights or motor vehicle collisions. Because of the forceful nature of these fractures, many patients also have other injuries, often of the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and other limbs. 
         [0012]    Elderly people with distal femur fractures typically have poor bone quality. As we age, our bones get thinner. Bones can become very weak and fragile. A lower-force event, such as a fall from standing, can cause a distal femur fracture in an older person who has weak bones. Although these patients do not often have other injuries, they may have concerning medical problems, such as conditions of the heart, lungs, and kidneys, and diabetes. 
         [0013]    Distal femur fractures vary. The bone can break straight across often referred to as a transverse fracture or into many pieces often referred to as a comminuted fracture. Sometimes these fractures extend into the knee joint and separate the surface of the bone into a few or many parts. These types of fractures are called intra-articular. Because they damage the cartilage surface of the bone, intra-articular fractures can be more difficult to treat. 
         [0014]    Distal femur fractures can be closed, meaning the skin is intact, or can be open. An open fracture is when a bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone. Open fractures often involve much more damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They have a higher risk for complications and take a longer time to heal. 
         [0015]    When the distal femur breaks, both the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles tend to contract and shorten. When this happens, the bone fragments change position and become difficult to line up with a cast. 
         [0016]    It is known in distal humerus fractures to utilize medial and lateral column plating. It is also known in proximal tibia fractures to utilize medial and lateral column plating. However, distal femur fractures are typically treated with just lateral plates. Lateral locking plates are well established and generally have a good track record, but lateral plate failure is also well known. 
         [0017]    When lateral locking plates fail, it is common to go varus or apex lateral angulation of the distal segment of a bone. Furthermore, lateral plates have no medial column support or buttress. When varus failure occurs, medial buttress plating is often done and the current prior art option is to bend a straight plate and hope it fits well. 
         [0018]    Although numerous advancements have occurred in the field of bone plates in general, the prior art still has failed to bridge the gap between the needs of medical professionals treating distal femur issues and the ever increasing demand. Therefore, an extensive opportunity for design advancements and innovation remains for medial distal femur plate devices, systems, and methods where the prior art fails or is deficient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In general, the present invention is a new and improved surgical device, system, and method which provides a bone plate for the treatment of fractures and non-unions of femurs where the prior art fails. The present invention generally provides a contoured plate or plates specifically contoured to correspond with associated locations on the medial distal femur. 
         [0020]    Without the intention of limitation, the invention may generally comprise a plate or plates adapted to conform to the medial area of the distal femur from generally near the medial epicondyle and generally up the shaft of the femur. The plate may include numerous apertures for fixation to the distal femur as desired such as but not limited to an offset screw design along the shaft to allow location of screws around a nail or other feature. A preferred construction may allow for the placement of screws through the plate into the shaft of the femur, the placement of screws through the plate generally into the lateral condyle, the placement of screws through the plate generally into the medial condyle and so forth. It is understood that the current invention may allow for fixation for multiple sites. The medial distal plate may be used in conjunction with a lateral distal plate. It is further contemplated to provide an extension plate to generally cover the medial condyle. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, the invention may include a method for utilizing a medial distal plate such as but not limited to making an incision approximately  15 cm from the knee joint proximally. Deep fascia may be split in line with the skin incision and may include saphenous vein and nerve retracted either anteriorly or posteriorly. Vastus medialis may be dissected off of the intermuscular or IM septum. Subperiosteal dissection may expose distal femur and to be noted is that the femoral vessels may be safely out of the fixation zone. 
         [0022]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Accordingly, titles, headings, chapter names, classifications and overall segmentation of the application in general should not be construed as limiting. Such are provided for overall readability and not necessarily as literally defining text or material associated therewith. 
         [0024]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0025]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same that provides greater ease of use, patient comfort, and function to a wide range of uses associated with the fractures and non-unions. 
         [0026]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same, which is of a robust design, as well as be easily and efficiently manufactured. 
         [0027]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same, which is of a more durable and reliable construction than that of the existing known art. 
         [0028]    Still another object to the present invention is to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same, which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, which accordingly is then susceptible of competitive prices of sale to the public, thereby making such economically available to those in need. 
         [0029]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same, which provides some of the advantages of the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
         [0030]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same that provides multiple fixation options as well as multiple treatment location options. 
         [0031]    Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same that will allow the medical professional to always have a readily available bone plate system that allows a surgeon to plate around previously inserted objects such as but not limited to intramedullary nail, total knee arthroplasty and so forth. 
         [0032]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same that may be used in conjunction with a lateral distal femur plate and other medial lateral plates. 
         [0033]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference would be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS 
         [0034]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings, and appendices. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a general top view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a femur. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a general side view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a femur. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a general side view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a femur and also generally depicting a distal lateral plate. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a general depiction of a method for making and locating an incision in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a general side view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a general top view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is another general top view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is another general side view depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a femur. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  10  generally refers to a new and improved medial distal femur bone plate devices, system and method of using the same hereinafter referred to as “invention  10 ” or “invention”, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention. 
         [0044]    Invention  10  generally contemplates, as discussed further below, a pre-contoured plate designed for fixation of the femur shaft and distal femur that is applied to the medial side of the femur. The plate may include holes that may have threads and a shape to accommodate locking screws, non-locking screws, cables, pins, trochars, guides, buttons, and or extensions that may be located along the entire length of the plate. Invention  10  contemplates additional holes of varying sizes and shapes along the plate for accommodating other bone fixation devices such as wires, pins, buttons, cables, extensions, guides, and so forth. The distal portion of the plate may match the shape of the medial portion of the medial condyle. The screw holes along the distal portion of the plate may be designed to accommodate screws for fixation of the distal femur, including the medial condyle, lateral condyle, intercondylar trochlea, and metaphyseal portion of the femur. The shaft portion of the plate may be essentially straight in the coronal plane with a slight curve in the sagittal plane to match the natural sagittal curve of the femur shaft. 
         [0045]    The screw holes along the shaft portion of the plate may accommodate screws for affixing the plate to the medial femur shaft and/or for fixation of fractures extending proximal to the distal femur along the shaft of the femur. There may be a transitional portion of the plate that will curve between the shaft portion and the distal portion. The curve of this transitional zone may contour to the distal medial metaphyseal portion of the femur. There may be screw holes or other holes placed along this transitional zone of the plate. 
         [0046]    More in particular, invention  10  may generally include plate  20  having a first end  30 , a shaft and or middle  40 , a second end  50 , a top surface  60 , a bottom surface  70 , a width  80 , a length  90 , and a thickness  100 . It is understood that plate  20  may have many configurations, shapes, sizes and so forth and the current invention should not be considered limited to the illustrations. It is also contemplated that first end  30  may include a flared portion  35  generally making first end  30  wider than second end  50  and middle  40 . The illustrations generally depict a preferred embodiment and it is understood that numerous other embodiments are contemplated. 
         [0047]    Referring to the illustration and more in particular to  FIG. 6 , in a preferred embodiment length  90  may be about 15 centimeters. It is understood that length  90  may be shorter or longer. In a preferred embodiment, width  80  may be about 18 mm around second end  50  and or middle  40  and 35 mm around first end  30  and flare  35 . It is also understood that width  80  may be shorter or longer. In a preferred embodiment, thickness  100  may be about 5 mm. It is understood that thickness  100  may be greater or lesser. It is also understood that plate  20  may be generally sized to generally adapt for larger people, smaller people, and so forth and contoured accordingly. Invention  10  may include a surgery kit with numerous sizes of bone plate  20  as desired for treating individuals. 
         [0048]    Invention  10  may include numerous holes or aperture  110  as will be discussed further below. It is also understood that invention  10  may utilize bone anchors  120  such as but not limited to known cannulated locking screws as indicated for certain types of fractures and non-unions of the proximal femur. Invention  10  may also utilize other bone anchors  120  such as non-cannulated non-locking screws, non-cannulated locking screws, variable angle locking screws, fixed angle nails, pins, blades, cables, wires and combination thereof. It is also understood that bone anchors  120  generally cooperate with plate  20  apertures  110  to secure the various bone anchor  120  to the femur  130  as will also be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0049]    Again referring to the illustration and more in particular to  FIG. 7 , invention  10  contemplates utilizing scalloped edges  105 . It is contemplated that plate  20  may have a configuration wherein irregular edges may be included such that a flare is created out around the holes  110 . It is understood that numerous configurations of scalloped edges  105  are contemplated and the illustration should not be considered to limit invention  10  to the depicted. 
         [0050]    Bone plate  20  may be made from metal such as but not limited to stainless steel, titanium, composite materials, combinations thereof, and so forth. It is understood that plate  20  may be made of other materials other than metal. Bone anchors  120  are known in the art and may be of numerous materials. 
         [0051]    Referring to the illustration in general and more in particular to  FIG. 2 , It is understood that femur  130  has a distal end  140 , a medial epicondyle  150 , a medial condyle  155 , a lateral epicondyle  160 , a lateral condyle  165 , a medial aspect or side  170 , a lateral aspect or side  180 , an anterior aspect or side  190 , a posterior aspect or side  200 , adductor magnus tubercle  205 , a patellar surface  210 , intercondylar trochlear region  215 , main body or shaft  220 , metaphyseal bone portion  225  and so forth. 
         [0052]    It is understood that the articular surface  227  of the lower or distal end  140  femur  130  occupies the anterior, inferior, and posterior surfaces of the condyles. Its front part is named the patellar surface  210  and articulates with the patella. 
         [0053]    Invention  10  contemplates plate  20  bottom surface  70 , thickness  100 , and or top surface  60  are generally contoured to adapt to femur  130  distal end  140  medial aspect  170 . Bottom surface  70  may be generally curved as depicted although invention  10  contemplates numerous contouring and or curvature. 
         [0054]    Invention  10  contemplates plate  20  generally to be positioned such that first end  30  does not extend past medial condyle  155 , but rather ends on or about medial epicondyle  150 , articular surface  227  of medial condyle  155  and or adductor magnus tubercle  205  as generally depicted. It is also contemplated that plate  20  may extend past the aforementioned. Second end  50  may generally be positioned on shaft  220  of femur  130  and may have a varying length  90 . Plate  20  second end  50  may generally be positioned along femur  130  shaft  220  and be limited in length  90  and generally positioning by the vascular structures crossing the medial aspect  170  femur  130  from anterior aspect  190  to posterior aspect  200  such as femoral artery and or femoral vein. It is also contemplated that length  90  of bone plate  20  generally may be the same as the length between shaft  220  and same medial epicondyle  150  of femur  130  in a preferred construction. 
         [0055]    Plate  20  may extend posteriorly to the level of the adductor magnus tubercle  205  and posterior aspect  200  to femur  130  shaft  220 . Plate  20  may also extend anteriorly to the anterior-medial portion of femur  130  shaft  220  and medial and anterior-medial facet of the medial condyle  155  and medial epicondyle  150 . 
         [0056]    The present invention  10  contemplates providing plate  20  with apertures  110 A,  110 B,  110 C, and  110 D for generally positioning bone anchors  120 A,  120 B,  120 C, and  120 D generally anterior aspect  190  and on shaft  220 . The present invention  10  also contemplates providing plate  20  with apertures  110 E,  110 F,  110 G, and  110 H for generally positioning bone anchors  120 E,  120 F,  120 G, and  120 H generally posterior aspect  200  on shaft  220 . It is further contemplated these bone anchors  120  are generally perpendicular to plate  20 . Although it is understood that closer to the medial epicondyle  150  the angle may change more so and the bone anchors  120  may engage the region below the area known commonly as the shaft  220  such as but not limited to medial condyle  155 , lateral condyle  165 , and so forth. 
         [0057]    Holes or apertures  110  may be threaded, angled, and so forth to cooperate with bone anchors  120 . A preferred embodiment may be where bone anchors  120  head finish generally flush with bone plate  20  top surface  60 . By example, holes or apertures  110  may further include a recessed portion for providing a screw head to finish flush generally inside bone plate  20 . 
         [0058]    Referring to the illustration and more in particular to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , it is understood that plate  20  has generally an angle or curve  230  wherein plate  20  first end  30  is generally flush along femur  130  corresponding angle or curve  240  and generally positioned above the medial epicondyle  150 . Curve  230  may be generally angled as defined as angle  260  between Line AA which may generally lay along and parallel with plate  20  bottom surface  70  at second end  50  and Line BB, which may generally lay along and parallel with first end  30 . Angle  260  may generally be 20 degrees although it is contemplated that angle  260  may be greater or smaller. 
         [0059]    Still further, invention  10  contemplates utilizing plate  20  with apertures  110 I,  110 J,  110 K,  110 L,  110 M, and  110 N for generally positioning bone anchors  120 I,  120 J,  120 K,  120 L,  120 M, and  120 N along plate  20  curve  230 . These bone anchors  120  may generally be longer such that they engage the medial condyle  155  and lateral condyle  165 . 
         [0060]    It is contemplated that bone anchors  120  may generally be placed along plate  20  first end  30 , shaft and or middle  40 , second end  50 . It is further contemplated that bone anchors  120  such as but not limited to screws generally positioned on first end  30  plate  20  angle or curve  230  may be pointed in such a trajectory as to gain fixation in the medial condyle  155 , lateral condyle  165 , intercondylar trochlear region  215 , and/or the metaphyseal bone  225  of the distal end  140  femur  130 . 
         [0061]    Bone anchors  120  may be directed around previously-placed hardware such as the femoral component of total knee arthroplasty, intramedullary implants, plates, screws, or other implanted hardware. In a preferred embodiment, bone anchors  120  may be positioned with plate  20  such that bone anchors  120  do not touch. 
         [0062]    Referring to the illustrations again and more in particular to  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, invention  10  may include use of a lateral plate  250 . It is understood that lateral plate  250  may be of a similar construction as plate  20  but corresponding to the lateral distal femur accordingly. 
         [0063]    Once again referring to the illustrations and more in particular to  FIG. 8 , in a preferred construction, invention  10  may utilize an extension plate  270  that generally covers medial condyle  155  and may or may not abut plate  20  first end  30 . It is contemplated that extension plate  270  may include apertures  110  for bone anchors  120 . 
         [0064]    Once again referring to the drawings in general and more specifically to  FIG. 4 , invention  10  may include a method for utilizing a medial distal plate  20  such as but not limited to making an incision approximately  15 cm from the knee joint proximally. Deep fascia may be split in line with the skin incision and may include saphenous vein and nerve retracted posteriorly. Vastus medialis may be dissected off of the intermuscular or IM septum. Subperiosteal dissection may expose distal femur  130  and to be noted is that the femoral vessels may be safely out of the fixation zone. 
         [0065]    Invention  10  may be utilized for the direct fixation of the medial aspect  170  distal end  140  of femur  130  and medial aspect  170  femur  130  shaft  220 , primary fixation of distal end  140  femur  130  fractures, primary fixation of femur  130  shaft  220  fractures, secondary (adjunct) fixation of distal end  140  femur  130  or femur  130  shaft  220  fractures in addition to intramedullary or lateral-based fixation, and so forth. Invention  10  may also be utilized with periprosthetic fractures including but not limited to above the femoral component of total knee arthroplasty, at the distal end of intramedullary implant in femur  130 , above or below previously-placed femoral hardware, and so forth. It is also contemplated to be utilized with an out rigger as known in art for percutaneous fixation. 
         [0066]    Possible indications may be primary fractures of femur  130  shaft  220  or distal end  140  femur  130 , peri-prosthetic fractures of femur  130  shaft  220  or distal end  140  femur  130 , non-united fractures of femur  130  shaft  220  and or distal end  140  femur  130  requiring primary or secondary medial aspect  170  fixation, and so forth. 
         [0067]    It is therefore contemplated invention  10  may provide bone plate  20  for treating fractures and non-unions of distal femur  130  said femur  130  having shaft  220  with medial aspect  170 , medial epicondyle  150 , and a length defined as the distance between said shaft  220  with medial aspect  170  and said medial epicondyle  150  and wherein said length has curve  240 ; said bone plate  20  comprising top surface  60 , bottom surface  70  for contacting said femur  130 ; one or more apertures  110  wherein said one or more apertures  110  pass through said top surface  60  and said bottom surface  70  and are configured to fix a bone anchor  120  through said top surface  60  and said bottom surface  70  to attach said bone plate  20  to said femur  130 ; first end  30  for attaching to said medial epicondyle  150 ; second end  50  for attaching to said shaft  220  with medial aspect  170 ; length  90  defined as the distance between said first end  30  and said second end  60  and said length  90  having curve  230  wherein said length  90  generally matches said length on said femur  130  and wherein said curve  230  generally matches said curve  240  of said length on said femur  130 . 
         [0068]    Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.