Source: https://insight.rpxcorp.com/pat/US10456180B2
Timestamp: 2020-07-02 08:42:54
Document Index: 356332270

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119', '§ 119']

Patent US 10,456,180 B2
a bone plate having a low profile and including a first plate member and a second plate member, each plate member having an inner surface configured to be placed onto an exterior surface of a bone, the plate member defining a plurality of openings each extending from an outer surface to the inner surface and configured to receive fasteners that secure the plate member onto the exterior surface of the bone, each plate member also defining a circular aperture;
wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are connected to one another at a joint having (a) an adjustable configuration in which an orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another is adjustable about a pivot axis, and (b) a fixed configuration in which the orientation is fixed,wherein, in the adjustable configuration of the joint, a fastener is coaxial with the pivot axis and extends from the circular aperture of the first plate member to the circular aperture of the second plate member and is arranged in threaded engagement with the circular aperture of only one of the first and second plate members, andwherein the fastener is configured to be rotated, while remaining coaxial with the pivot axis, to change the joint from the adjustable configuration to the fixed configuration.
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2. The device of claim 1, wherein the joint is configured to permit the orientation to be adjusted about only one axis.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the joint is configured to be placed in a fixed configuration at each orientation within a continuous range of orientations of the first plate member relative to the second plate member.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first plate member is disposed over the second plate member at the joint, and wherein the fastener has a head that is closer to the first plate member than the second plate member in the fixed configuration of the joint.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is monolithic.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the bone plate is configured to fix a clavicle.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is not configured to extend into the bone from the bone plate.
8. A device for bone fixation, comprising:
a bone plate having a low profile and including a first plate member and a second plate member, each plate member defining a plurality of openings configured to receive fasteners that secure the plate member onto an exterior surface of a bone, each plate member also defining a circular aperture;
wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are connected to one another at a joint having (a) an adjustable configuration in which an orientation of the first plate member and the second plate member relative to one another is adjustable about a pivot axis, and (b) a fixed configuration in which the orientation is fixed,wherein the pivot axis is configured to extend through the bone when the first and second plate members are configured to be secured onto the exterior surface of a bone,wherein, in the adjustable configuration of the joint, a fastener is coaxial with the pivot axis and extends from the circular aperture of the first plate member to the circular aperture of the second plate member and is arranged in threaded engagement with the circular aperture of only one of the first and second plate members, andwherein the fastener is configured to be rotated, while remaining coaxial with the pivot axis, to change the joint from the adjustable configuration to the fixed configuration.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the fastener is not configured to extend into the bone from the bone plate.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/652,185, filed Oct. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,414,871; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/878,323, filed Oct. 8, 2015; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/322,796, filed Jul. 2, 2014; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/098,250, filed Dec. 5, 2013.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/878,323, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,179, filed Sep. 10, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,155,626, which in turn is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/699,070, filed Sep. 10, 2012.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/322,796, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/842,776, filed Jul. 3, 2013.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/652,185, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/768,508, filed Apr. 27, 2010, now abandoned, and is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 13/246,687, filed Sep. 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,518,090; Ser. No. 13/246,690, filed Sep. 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,919; Ser. No. 13/246,684, filed Sep. 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,575; and Ser. No. 13/187,395, filed Jul. 20, 2011, now abandoned.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/768,508, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 11/504,223, filed Aug. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,251; Ser. No. 11/637,626, filed Dec. 11, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,945; Ser. No. 12/175,223, filed Jul. 17, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,475,504; and Ser. No. 12/176,913, filed Jul. 21, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,627.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/504,223, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/716,719, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,676, which, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 60/427,908, filed Nov. 19, 2002; Ser. No. 60/512,136, filed Oct. 17, 2003; Ser. No. 60/427,910, filed Nov. 19, 2002; Ser. No. 60/512,111, filed Oct. 17, 2003; Ser. No. 60/512,322, filed Oct. 17, 2003; and Ser. No. 60/512,323, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/637,626, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 10/625,503, filed Jul. 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,603; Serial No. 10/712,202, filed Nov. 12, 2003, now abandoned; Ser. No. 10/717,015, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,604; Ser. No. 10/717,399, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,212; Ser. No. 10/717,401, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,309; Ser. No. 10/717,402, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,237; Ser. No. 10/734,017, filed Dec. 10, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,640; Ser. No. 10/873,522, filed Jun. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,596; Ser. No. 10/993,205, filed Nov. 18, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,079; Ser. No. 11/109,984, filed Apr. 19, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,825; Ser. No. 11/109,985, filed Apr. 19, 2005, now abandoned; Ser. No. 11/112,858, filed Apr. 22, 2005, now abandoned; Ser. No. 11/273,811, filed Nov. 14, 2005, now abandoned; Ser. No. 11/274,597, filed Nov. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,332; Ser. No. 11/330,802, filed Jan. 11, 2006, now abandoned; Ser. No. 11/449,554, filed Jun. 7, 2006, now abandoned; Ser. No. 11/486,959, filed Jul. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,857,836; Ser. No. 11/504,223, filed Aug. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,251; Ser. No. 11/550,255, filed Oct. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,662; and Ser. No. 11/585,378, filed Oct. 23, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,914,532.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/625,503, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 60/398,075, filed Jul. 22, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/484,262, filed Jun. 30, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,015, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/512,323, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,399, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 60/427,908, filed Nov. 19, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/512,136, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,401, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 60/427,910, filed Nov. 19, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/512,322, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,402, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 60/427,908, filed Nov. 19, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/512,136, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/734,017, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/454,217, filed Mar. 12, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/873,522, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/480,529, filed Jun. 20, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,984, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,860, filed Apr. 19, 2004.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,985, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,767, filed Apr. 19, 2004.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,858, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/564,853, filed Apr. 22, 2004.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/273,811, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,297, filed Nov. 12, 2004.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/274,597, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,721, filed Nov. 12, 2004.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/449,554, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/873,522, filed Jun. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,596, which, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/480,529, filed Jun. 20, 2003.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/486,959, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/699,277, filed Jul. 13, 2005.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/585,378, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/729,373, filed Oct. 21, 2005.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/175,223, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/961,317, filed Jul. 19, 2007.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/246,687, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/390,121, filed Oct. 5, 2010
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/246,690, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: Ser. No. 61/386,921, filed Sep. 27, 2010; and Ser. No. 61/390,120, filed Oct. 5, 2010
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/246,684, in turn, is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/386,925, filed Sep. 27, 2010.
Despite direct access to the bone portions when applying a bone plate, the surgeon may have difficulty fixing the bone portions with the correct alignment. For example, one or more of the bone portions may be relatively small and/or displaced from the bone plate. As a specific example, in fixation of fractures of the distal radius, a distal bone portion(s) may be difficult to position properly. More generally, during attachment of any bone plate, fasteners may be misplaced or misdirected so that bone portions move away from a desired positioning as the fasteners are tightened.
Accordingly, the relative position of bone portions may need to be adjusted after the bone plate has been secured to a bone to achieve proper reduction of a fracture.
FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the bones of the right hand and distal forearm in which the radius has suffered a Colles'"'"' fracture, displacing and angulating a distal fragment of the radius dorsally.
The bone plates described herein may be sized and shaped to conform to particular portions of a bone (or bones). The plates may be generally elongate, with a length L, a width W, and a thickness T. Here, length L≥width W≥thickness T. In use, the long axis of the bone plates may be aligned with the long axis of the corresponding bone or may extend obliquely or even transversely relative to the bone'"'"'s long axis. The length and/or width of the bone plates may be varied according to the intended use, for example, to match the plates with a preselected region of bone(s) and/or a particular injury to the bone. For example, the plates may be generally linear for use on the shaft of a long bone or may have a nonlinear shape, such as for use near an end of a bone. In some embodiments, the plates may be generally T-shaped, including an axial portion, for attachment to a shaft portion of a bone, and a transverse portion connected to the axial portion, to provide a wider platform for attachment near an end of the bone. In some embodiments, the bone plates may be configured for use on both sides of the body, such as when the bone plates are bilaterally symmetrical. In some embodiments, the bone plates may be asymmetrical and configured for use on either the left or the right side of the body.
The openings may have any suitable shape and structure. Exemplary shapes may include circular, elliptical, rectangular, elongate, etc. The openings may include counterbores configured, for example, to receive a head of a bone screw. The openings may be threaded or nonthreaded, and each bone plate may include one or more threaded and/or nonthreaded openings. In some embodiments, the plates may include one or a plurality of elongate openings (slots) extending axially and/or transversely along each bone plate. The slots may include counterbores that provide compression when bone screws are advanced against the counterbores. Alternatively, or in addition, the slots may be used to adjust the position of bone plates and/or plate portions relative to bone before the plates are fully secured to the bone. Further aspects of openings or slots that may be suitable for pivotable bone plates are described in more detail in the following patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes: PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US02/18623, filed Jun. 10, 2002; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,015, filed Nov. 19, 2003.
FIG. 2 shows an upper right extremity 60 exhibiting a Colles'"'"' fracture 62, which is a very common fracture of the distal radius 64 typically caused by using an outstretched hand to break a fall. The position of the fracture is indicated relative to the skin of the distal forearm 66 and hand 68, which is shown in phantom outline. In Colles'"'"' fracture 62, a smaller, distal bone fragment 70 may be displaced dorsally from a larger, proximal bone segment 72 of the radius bone. Colles'"'"' fracture 62 may be reduced and fixed with the pivotable bone plates described herein by placement of a bone plate on the volar (anterior or lower) side 74 of the radius. This placement may reduce or avoid tendon irritation that may occur with flexion when the bone plate is attached to the dorsal (posterior or upper) side 76 of the radius. Alternatively, the bone plates described herein may be used on the dorsal surface of the distal radius or on any other suitable bone(s) or bone surface(s).
A close fit may be defined by threaded or nonthreaded engagement of the fastener with the wall of the opening. The close fit may be defined by threaded engagement of a threaded fastener with a correspondingly threaded opening. The threaded engagement may predefine the angle and lock the axial position of the fastener relative to the screw'"'"'s long axis. Alternatively, or in addition, the close fit may be defined by a close correspondence of the diameter of the fastener'"'"'s shank and the diameter of the opening, particularly a cylindrical portion of the opening. The diameter of the fastener may be defined by a threaded or nonthreaded segment of the shank of the fastener (generally adjacent the head of the fastener). The diameter of the opening may be defined by a nonthreaded or threaded opening. Accordingly, a close fit at a predefined angle may be achieved by a nonthreaded or threaded shaft segment engaged by either of a threaded or nonthreaded opening.
Pivotable joint 86 may include a detent mechanism 129 to restrict pivotal movement. In particular, the detent mechanism may include lock screw 112 received in openings 130, 132 of the retainer and distal plate member, respectively, and rotated into threaded engagement with a threaded bore 134 of the proximal plate member. The lock screw thus may be advanced or retracted to define the amount of frictional engagement between plate member surfaces 122, 124, to determine whether these surfaces are movable or fixed relative to one another. In some embodiments, the proximal plate member may include lower surface 124 and the distal plate member may include upper surface 126. Alternatively, or in addition, other aspects of the pivotable joint may be inverted from the configuration shown here, so that retainer 126 may be threaded and configured to serve as a nut disposed adjacent the bone. In this case, lock screw 112 may be placed through openings in each of the plate members from the outer surfaces of the plate members and into threaded engagement with the retainer.
The uses for reference marks in bone plates with reference marks may extend to pre- and/or postoperative analysis. For example, before installing a bone plate, a surgeon could “dial in” or otherwise preset approximate settings for the bone plate. The preset value could be determined from preoperative analysis (e.g., using x-ray templates and/or other measurement tools having corresponding or complementary reference marks), comparison with a corresponding uninjured feature on an opposite side of a patient'"'"'s body (e.g., using measurements of an uninjured left radius to determine suitable preset values for an injured right radius), comparison with statistical data collected from a variety of patients (e.g., in the form of a lookup table), and so on. Alternatively, or in addition, after installing a bone plate, a surgeon could record the final settings, for possible postoperative use. In some cases, reference marks may be readable in situ using x-rays, magnetic resonance, and/or similar techniques, to allow noninvasive monitoring of the continued proper placement and adjustment of the plate postoperatively. Suitable reference marks for such use include changes or alterations in the thickness, profile, and/or composition of the plate, among others.
Horst, Steven P., Huebner, Randall J.
US 20170035477A1
606283, 606284, 606286, 606289, 606290, 606294