Patent Description:
In order to ensure that a bone plate lies flat on bone pieces to be connected and that the bone plate also extends in parallel to a potentially curved midline of these bone pieces, a plate bender can be used prior to or during surgery to manually bend the bone plate to properly fit the patient's bone geometry.

<CIT> discloses a plate bender comprising a head for engaging the bone plate and a handle for being gripped by a hand. For bending a bone plate, two such plate benders are gripped with the left hand and the right hand, respectively. It has been found that depending on the distance between the bone plate engaging heads of the plate bender, the bending operation can be ergonomically cumbersome.

It has further been observed that while a bone plate is being fastened to a fractured bone piece, the bone plate tends to easily slip off the midline of the bone pieces and change its position. In some cases, the fracture may even be dislocated in such situations, which may require a repeated reduction of the fracture gap between adjacent bone pieces and may result in quite complicated re-adjustments, including in some cases a dismounting of a partially attached bone plate from a bone piece.

<CIT> describes a plate holding forceps in accordance with the preamble of claim <NUM>. Further background art can be found in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The problem to be solved is to provide a convenient and versatile tool and tool system.

A first aspect of the present disclosure not according to the invention relates to a plate bender for bending a bone plate. The plate bender comprises a plate engagement portion and a handle portion coupled to the plate engagement portion. The handle portion is coupled to the plate engagement portion by a pivoting mechanism configured to change an angular orientation between the handle portion and the plate engagement portion.

A single plate bender may be configured to be operated completely one-handedly, which includes the operation of the plate engagement portion and the operation of the pivoting mechanism. Optionally, the operation can be such that the thumb of the hand gripping the handle portion can perform each operation while the hand remains tightly gripping the handle portion, for example by a pushing movement of the thumb.

The plate engagement portion may have a longitudinal extension defining a first direction. The handle portion may be pivotable around the plate engagement portion in a plane angled to the first direction. The plane may be orthogonal to the first direction.

The plate bender may be configured to maintain individual ones of a plurality of angular orientations between the handle portion and the plate engagement portion. The angular orientations between the handle portion and the plate engagement portion may be discrete.

The plate bender may comprise a locking member displaceable between a locking position, in which a particular angular orientation is maintained, and an unlocking position, in which the handle portion can pivot around the plate engagement portion to change the angular orientation. The locking member may be provided at a region of the plate bender closer to the plate engagement portion than to a free longitudinal end of the handle portion. The locking member may be configured to engage a particular one of multiple locking portions to maintain a particular angular orientation. The locking member may be provided at the plate engagement portion and the locking portions may be provided on the handle portion, or vice versa.

The locking member may be spring-biased to assume the locking position and configured to be manually displaced against the spring-bias to assume the unlocking position. The locking member may be configured to be manually pushed towards the handle portion and thereby displaced to the unlocking position, and to return to the locking position when being released. The locking member may be configured to be manually pushed towards the handle portion in a second direction, which is either identical or parallel to the first direction.

The plate engagement portion may comprise a displacement member displaceable between a plate engagement position, in which a plate engagement is maintained, and a plate disengagement position, in which a plate disengagement is provided. The displacement member may be provided at a region of the plate bender closer to the plate engagement portion than to a free longitudinal end of the handle portion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure not according to the invention relates to a plate bender comprising a plate engagement portion and a handle portion coupled to the plate engagement portion. The plate engagement portion comprises a displacement member, which can be displaced between a plate engagement position, in which a plate engagement is maintained, and a plate disengagement position, in which a plate disengagement is provided.

The displacement member may be spring-biased to assume the plate engagement position and configured to be manually displaced against the spring-bias to the plate disengagement position. The displacement member may be configured to be manually pushed towards the plate engagement portion to assume the plate disengagement position, and to return to the plate engagement position when being released. The plate engagement portion may comprise a through-hole configured to act as a drill or screw guide.

Another aspect of the present disclosure not according to the invention relates to a plate bender system comprising a first and a second plate bender as described herein for left-hand and right-hand use, respectively. Each of the two plate benders may have a specific ergonomic form adapted to left-hand use and right-hand use, respectively. Alternatively, the two plate benders may have the same ergonomic form, so that the user can freely choose which plate bender to grip with which hand.

Another aspect of the present disclosure not according to the invention relates to a plate bender system comprising at least one plate bender comprising a through-hole configured to act as a drill or screw guide and at least one bone plate having a plate opening. The plate engagement portion may be configured to align the plate opening, when the plate is engaged, with the through-hole configured to act as the drill or screw guide.

The invention relates to plate holding forceps for one-hand use, wherein the forceps are configured to press a bone plate to bone. The forceps comprise a clamp portion, including a first jaw and second jaw movable towards and away from each other. The first jaw includes a through-bore configured to be aligned with a hole of a bone plate engaged by the plate holding forceps. The forceps further comprise an adjustment portion configured to adjust a distance between the jaws. The adjustment portion includes a first handle part and a second handle part manually movable with the fingers of one hand relative to each other and configured to thereby adjust the distance between the jaws.

The relative movement distance between the first handle part and the second handle part may correspond, e.g., linearly, to the relative movement distance between the jaws. The movement of the handle parts toward each other may cause a movement of the jaws towards each other, while a movement of the handle parts away from each other may cause a movement of the jaws away from each other. For this purpose, the first handle part may be fixedly connected to the first jaw and the second handle part may be fixedly connected to the second jaw. The first handle part and the second handle part are two longitudinal parts slidably connected by their lateral sides, e.g., only by their lateral sides.

The plate holding forceps may further comprise a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism may have an active state, in which the jaws can be moved towards but not away from each other, and an inactive state, in which the jaws can be moved at least away from each other (e.g., towards and away from each other).

A still further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a plate holding forceps for one-hand use, wherein the forceps are configured to press a bone plate to bone. The forceps comprise a clamp portion, including a first jaw and second jaw movable towards and away from each other, wherein at least the first jaw includes a through-bore configured to be aligned with a hole of a bone plate engaged by the plate holding forceps. The forceps further comprise an adjustment portion configured to adjust a distance between the jaws, wherein the adjustment portion includes a ratchet mechanism having an active state, in which the jaws can be moved towards but not away from each other, and an inactive state, in which the jaws can be moved at least away from each other (e.g., towards and away from each other). The through-bore may comprise an inner funnel shape.

The ratchet mechanism may be located closer to the adjustment portion than to the clamp portion. Additionally or alternatively, the ratchet mechanisms may be configured to be manually operated with the same hand that operates the adjustment portion.

In particular, the adjustment portion and the ratchet mechanism may both be operated by a pushing and/or pulling movement. Each operation may in some implementations be performed along a different straight line, for example along straight lines which are orthogonal to each other. The ratchet mechanism may comprise a manually operable switch configured to move the ratchet mechanism into the inactive state. The switch may be located on the first handle part or on the second handle part.

The plate holding forceps may further comprise a variable visual indication indicating a parameter that depends on the actual distance between the jaws. This parameter may be a number corresponding to the screw length to be used for fastening the bone plate to the bone piece.

The adjustment portion may be syringe-shaped with a plunger part (which includes the first handle part) and a barrel part (which includes the second handle part). The plunger part may be guided inside the barrel part and axially protrude from the barrel part on one side thereof. The above-mentioned visual indication may be provided on the plunger part. It may be etched or laser engraved into the plunger part.

The above-mentioned switch may be a rocker arm pivotably hinged to the barrel part to pivot around a barrel pivot axis laterally fixed to the barrel part. One end of the switch may be biased away from the barrel part, e.g., by means of a switch spring, such that the opposite end of the switch is automatically forced against the plunger part such that the ratchet mechanism assumes the active state. Moving the one end of the switch against its bias and towards the barrel part is configured to cause the ratchet mechanism to assume the inactive state.

The plunger part may include a plunger flange portion and the barrel part may include a barrel flange portion. The barrel flange portion optionally includes opposite lateral wings, which optionally are held in a rotatable manner on the barrel part and further optionally have a width in a plane parallel to the transverse cross-sectional plane of the barrel part less than the width of the largest cross-sectional profile of the barrel part. The plunger and barrel flange portions may remain within lateral boundaries of a circumferential section of a largest cross-sectional profile of the barrel part.

The first jaw may be laterally spaced apart from the handle parts by a distance defined by a lateral extension of a first step portion. The first step portion may have an upside-down L-shape with the short side end of the L-shape fixed to the plunger part and the longer side end fixed to the first jaw, both orthogonally, for example.

The second jaw may be laterally spaced apart from the handle parts by a corresponding second step portion, wherein both step portions may engage in a guiding manner. The second step portion may have an upside-down L-shape with the short side end of the L-shape fixed to the barrel part and the longer side end fixed to the second jaw, both orthogonally, for example.

The engagement in a guiding manner may be provided by means of a rail slot, e.g., at one of the first or second step portions, and a sliding member, e.g., at the other one of the first or second step portions, slidably held in the rail slot to allow a relative sliding movement in-between only in a direction, in which the jaws are moved towards and away from each other.

The plate holding forceps may further comprise a guiding protrusion. The guiding protrusion may protrude from the first jaw in a direction opposite to the second jaw. The through-bore may extend through the guiding protrusion.

The first jaw may comprise a U-shaped cross-section, which is open towards the second jaw. The cross-section may also be L-shaped with the base of the L-shape forming the free end of the first jaw. At least one of the jaws may comprise a corrugated surface or a pointed surface.

Further provided is a plate holding forceps system comprising at least one plate holding forceps as described herein and at least one bone plate configured to be clamped by the clamp portion.

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:.

In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

The present disclosure provides tools and tool systems for use in a surgical procedure in which a bone plate needs to be attached to bone. <FIG> shows a fractured bone <NUM>, which is broken into two separate bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The broken ends of the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> line up to form the original bone <NUM>. In some variants, the bone <NUM> may be a rib and the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> may be rib pieces. In other variants, the fractured bone may be a mandible or other bone.

<FIG> shows the lined-up bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> with a bone plate <NUM> lying on top and extending in parallel to a longitudinal midline <NUM> of the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The bone plate <NUM> has a linear extension with a top surface <NUM> and a bottom, here bone-facing, surface <NUM> as well as multiple openings <NUM> for receiving bone screws (not shown) extending between the top surface <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM>. In this case, the openings <NUM> are through-holes. The openings <NUM> are arranged in a pattern, for example in a row. Of course, the pattern of the openings <NUM> may be chosen freely and, for example, only some of the openings <NUM> may be arranged in a row.

The openings <NUM> are in the present embodiment equally spaced from each other, but could in other embodiments have a non-equal spacing. Each opening <NUM> is defined by a ring-shaped structure, which is connected to the ring-shaped structure of an adjacent opening <NUM> to form the single row of connected ring-shaped structures.

The bone plate <NUM> of <FIG> provides an engagement part <NUM> capable of being engaged, e.g., held, gripped or fixed, by one of the below described tools. The engagement part <NUM> is shown to be a lateral bulge that protrudes from both lateral sides of the bone plate <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the axial extension of the bone plate (and of the openings <NUM>). Of course, instead of being a protruding bulge, the engagement part <NUM> may have a different configuration. As an example, the engagement part <NUM> may be a lateral recess, e.g., groove, in the bone plate <NUM>. While the engagement part <NUM> is shown as continuously surrounding the bone plate <NUM>, it may alternatively be discontinuously surrounding the bone plate <NUM>.

In order to ensure that the bone plate <NUM> lies flat on the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and also in parallel to the midline of the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>, the below described first tool, i.e., plate bender, can be used prior to and/or during surgery. For example, there may be a need for an in-plane and/or an out-of-plane bending of the bone plate <NUM>.

In order to ensure that the bone plate <NUM> remains flat on the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and also in parallel to the midline of the bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> while avoiding a dislocation of the fracture, the below described second tool, i.e., plate holding forceps, can be used during surgery.

<FIG> shows a top view of two equally angled plate benders <NUM> engaged to the same bone plate <NUM>. Each plate bender <NUM> comprises a plate engagement portion <NUM> and a longitudinal handle portion <NUM> coupled to the plate engagement portion <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> is coupled to the plate engagement portion <NUM> by a pivoting mechanism <NUM> configured to change an angular orientation between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM>.

As can be seen here, both plate benders <NUM> are engaged to the bone plate <NUM> in structurally close proximity to each other, i.e., with one opening <NUM> in-between. Further, the angle between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM> of both plate bender's <NUM> is the same, i.e., the plate benders are equally angled. This results in the respective handle portions <NUM> being so close to each other that it becomes difficult to ergonomically, i.e., comfortably, grasp each of the respective handle portions <NUM> with one hand in order to bend the bone plate <NUM> by means of a relative movement between the respective handle portions <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of two differently angled plate benders <NUM> engaged to the same bone plate <NUM>. The difference between <FIG> is that in <FIG> the angle between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM> in both plate benders <NUM> differs. This results in the respective handle portions <NUM> being so distant from each other that it becomes easier and more comfortable to grasp each of the respective handle portions <NUM> with one hand in order to bend the bone plate <NUM> by means of a relative movement between the respective handle portions <NUM>.

The ability to change the angular orientation between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM> is provided by the pivoting mechanism <NUM>. Since the plate engagement portion <NUM> engages the bone plate <NUM> fixedly, i.e., such that the bone plate <NUM> cannot escape from the engagement with the engagement portion <NUM>, the plate bender <NUM> can be used to bend the bone plate <NUM>.

The pivoting mechanism <NUM> is described in detail below with reference to <FIG>. The plate engagement portion <NUM> is described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> show a perspective view of the procedure of engaging a plate bender <NUM> to a bone plate <NUM>, and changing the angle between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM> by means of the pivoting mechanism <NUM>. While this procedure is shown in a specific order, i.e., engagement followed by change of angular orientation, the order can be reversed, i.e., change of angular orientation followed by engagement.

In these figures, as well as in the remaining figures, a bold arrow indicates a force about to be exercised on a structural part, when the tip of the arrow is still distant from the respective structural part, to which the arrow points. The same type of arrow indicates a force being exercised and/or maintained on a structural part, when the tip of the arrow touches the respective structural part.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a plate bender <NUM> above a bone plate <NUM>, prior to engagement. A black arrow pointing downwards indicates where and in which direction a force has yet to be exercised in order to initiate the engagement with the bone plate <NUM>. The plate engagement portion <NUM> and the handle portion <NUM> have an initial angular orientation between each other.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate bender <NUM> and bone plate <NUM> of <FIG>, during engagement. A black arrow pointing downwards indicates that the force already indicated in <FIG> is now being exercised and maintained in order to proceed with the engagement procedure. Then, once the force is no longer maintained, the engagement procedure is completed. All the while, the plate engagement portion <NUM> and the handle portion <NUM> maintain the initial angular orientation between each other.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate bender <NUM> and bone plate <NUM> of <FIG>, after engagement. A black arrow pointing downwards indicates where and in which direction a force has yet to be exercised in order to initiate the change in angular orientation between the plate engagement portion <NUM> and the handle portion <NUM> from the initial angular orientation between each other.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate bender <NUM> and bone plate <NUM> of <FIG>, after an angle change between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM>. The new angular orientation differs from the initial angular orientation between the plate engagement portion <NUM> and the handle portion <NUM> and is maintained by the pivoting mechanism <NUM>.

The plate engagement procedure performed in <FIG> is explained in detail below with reference to <FIG>. The angle change procedure performed in <FIG> is explained in detail below with reference to <FIG>. Of course, the order in which each of these procedures is performed is arbitrary.

The plate bender <NUM> is configured to be operated completely one-handed, which includes the operation of the plate engagement portion <NUM> and/or the operation of the pivoting mechanism <NUM>. Here, both operations are performed by manually displacing, e.g. pushing, a member, e.g., a button, at a region of the plate bender <NUM>, which is closer to the plate engagement portion <NUM> than to a free longitudinal end of the handle portion <NUM>, e.g., at the plate engagement portion <NUM> of the plate bender <NUM>. In summary, the thumb of the hand gripping the handle portion <NUM> can perform each operation while the hand remains tightly gripping the handle portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate bender <NUM> with a cross-section view of a part of the plate engagement portion <NUM> and a part of the handle portion <NUM>, wherein the pivoting mechanism <NUM> provided in-between is in a locked state.

The pivoting mechanism <NUM> is formed by a circular plate-shaped handle end <NUM>, which is inserted into a corresponding recess <NUM> of a laterally protruding mount <NUM> of the plate engagement portion <NUM>. The handle end <NUM> is pivotably hinged to the plate engagement portion <NUM> within the recess <NUM> by means of a pivot axis <NUM> connecting the circular plate-shaped handle end <NUM> and the mount <NUM> pivotably.

Thereby, the handle portion <NUM> is pivotable around the plate engagement portion <NUM>. Here, this pivotability is in a plane, in which the handle portion <NUM> extends longitudinally and which is orthogonal to a first axis <NUM>, in which the plate engagement portion <NUM> extends longitudinally.

In order to maintain individual ones of a plurality of discrete angular orientations between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM>, a locking member <NUM> and locking portions <NUM> are provided.

The locking member <NUM> is provided at and through the entire mount <NUM> of the plate engagement portion <NUM> in parallel to the pivot axis <NUM>. The locking portions <NUM> are provided at and through the handle end <NUM> of the handle portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the locking member <NUM> may be provided at the handle end <NUM> of the handle portion <NUM> and the locking portions <NUM> may be provided at the mount <NUM> of the plate engagement portion <NUM>, if the engagement portion <NUM> comprises the circular plate-shaped end and the handle portion <NUM> comprises the mount.

The locking member <NUM> comprises a cylindrical pin <NUM> with a coaxial flat-shaped head <NUM> on one end and a cup shaped button <NUM> at the other longitudinal end. In-between both ends the cylindrical pin <NUM> comprises a continuous ring-shaped pin recess <NUM>. Also, both ends of the locking member <NUM> extend beyond the mount <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> further comprises a helical locking spring <NUM>, which surrounds the pin <NUM> and biases the cup shaped button <NUM> away from the mount <NUM>.

The locking portions <NUM> comprise parallel intersecting cylindrical through-holes <NUM> equally distanced around the pivot axis <NUM> and from each other. The inner diameter of these through-holes <NUM> is equal to or larger than the general diameter of the pin <NUM>. However, their intersections <NUM> define a passage with a radial distance, i.e. a distance in an direction orthogonally towards the pivot axis <NUM>, that is smaller than the general diameter of the pin <NUM> but equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the pin <NUM> at the ring shaped recess <NUM>.

In the locked state of the pivoting mechanism, the locking member <NUM> is in a locking position, which is automatically maintained and returned to by means of the bias of the spring <NUM>. In this state (or position), the pin <NUM> is located at least partially with a general diameter portion inside one of the through-holes <NUM> of the locking portions <NUM>. Since this general diameter portion of the pin <NUM> cannot pass through the intersections <NUM>, the handle portion <NUM> is prevented from pivoting around the plate engagement portion <NUM>.

These locking portions <NUM> with their cylindrical through-holes <NUM> provide discrete angular orientations between the handle portion <NUM> and the plate engagement portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the perspective view of the plate bender <NUM> of <FIG>, wherein the pivoting mechanism <NUM> is in an unlocked state. In the unlocked state of the pivoting mechanism <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> is in an unlocking position, which is manually and temporary maintained against the bias of the spring <NUM>. Here, the button <NUM> is pushed against the biasing force of the spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is compressed towards the mount <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is moved further into the mount <NUM>. This can be seen here by the displacement of the head <NUM> and the button <NUM> of the pin <NUM>, which have moved downward compared to their respective positions in <FIG>. In this state/position, the pin <NUM> is located with only its part comprising the recess <NUM> inside one of the through-holes <NUM> of the locking portions <NUM>. Since the outer diameter of the recess <NUM> is equal to or less than the passage of the intersections <NUM>, the pin <NUM> can pass freely through the intersections <NUM>, which allows the handle portion <NUM> to pivot around the plate engagement portion <NUM>.

As soon as the button <NUM> is released, the pivoting mechanism <NUM> will return to its initial position, as shown in <FIG>, as long as one of the through-holes <NUM> of the locking portions <NUM> is arranged to be coaxial to the pin <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a lateral cross-section view of the plate engagement portion <NUM> in an initial plate engagement position - without contact to a bone plate <NUM>. The plate engagement portion <NUM> comprises a longitudinal main body <NUM> with a through-opening <NUM> extending along the first axis <NUM>. The bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is funnel-shaped, such that the through-opening <NUM> becomes wider towards the end of the bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, which is opposite to the bottom end <NUM>, is where the mount <NUM> of the plate engagement portion <NUM> protrudes laterally from the main body <NUM> to form a U-shaped cross-section, in which the handle end <NUM> is inserted. Inside the main body <NUM>, a displacement member <NUM> is provided, which is movable along the first axis <NUM> inside the through-opening <NUM> and relative to the main body <NUM>. The displacement member <NUM> comprises an upper portion <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM>.

The upper portion <NUM> comprises a cylinder <NUM> with a circumferential flange <NUM> at the top and protruding laterally from the cylinder <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is configured to abut the main body <NUM> and prevent the displacement member <NUM> from being moved further into or entirely through the through-opening <NUM> in a top to bottom direction along the first axis <NUM>.

The lower portion <NUM> comprises two arms <NUM>, which extend from the bottom of the upper portion <NUM> symmetrically about the first axis <NUM>, are distanced from each other in a direction orthogonal to the first axis <NUM>, and each end with a hook-shaped engagement end <NUM>, where the hooks face each other. Both engagement ends <NUM> form an outer shape that corresponds to the inside of the funnel-shaped bottom end <NUM>. Thus, the engagement ends <NUM> are configured to engage the bottom end <NUM> in a form-fit and prevent the displacement member <NUM> from being moved further into or entirely through the through-opening <NUM> in a bottom to top direction along the first axis <NUM>.

A helical engagement spring <NUM>, which is arranged between the upper portion <NUM> and the main body <NUM>, is configured to bias the displacement member <NUM> in a top direction along the first axis <NUM> in order to engage the engagement ends <NUM> to the bottom end <NUM> and distance the flange <NUM> from the main body <NUM>.

In this state, the engagement ends <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM> are biased by the bottom end <NUM> towards each other and their distance in a direction orthogonal to the first axis <NUM> is reduced compared to a state, in which the bottom end <NUM> is absent or distant in the direction of the first axis <NUM>. Thereby, the bone plate <NUM> shown in <FIG> cannot be engaged.

<FIG> shows the lateral cross-section view of <FIG> with the plate engagement portion <NUM> in a plate disengagement position - with contact to the bone plate <NUM>. In order to engage the bone plate <NUM>, the top of the upper portion <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM> has to be pushed towards the main body <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM> and against the biasing force of the engagement spring <NUM>. This will cause the engagement ends <NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM> to be brought out of their form-fit with the bottom end <NUM> of the lower portion <NUM>. Thereby, the engagement ends <NUM> are allowed to increase their distance from each other in the direction orthogonal to the first axis <NUM>, whereby the bone plate <NUM> can be gripped around its engagement part <NUM> by means of the hook-shaped engagement ends <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the lateral cross-section of <FIG> with the plate engagement portion <NUM> in a plate engagement position - with contact to the bone plate <NUM>. As soon as the pushing force on the top of the upper portion <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM> is removed, the engagement spring <NUM> returns the displacement member <NUM> to its initial position, as shown in <FIG>. The bone plate <NUM>, which has already been gripped in <FIG>, is now fixedly held by the engagement ends <NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> of the displacement member <NUM>. This is due to the engagement ends <NUM> being biased towards each other in the direction orthogonal to the first axis <NUM> and prevented from increasing their distance from each other. Thereby, the bone plate <NUM> is securely trapped.

Here, the displacement member <NUM> comprises an engagement through-hole <NUM> extending along the first axis <NUM> and through the entire displacement member <NUM>. The engagement through-hole <NUM> is cylindrical with a minimum diameter, such that it is configured to act as a drill or screw guide, which has a maximum outer diameter that is equal to or less than the minimum diameter of the engagement through-hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a drill <NUM> is partially inserted into the engagement through-hole <NUM> to exemplary illustrate the afore-mentioned optional provision of an engagement through-hole <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a plate holding forceps <NUM> for one-hand use pressing a bone plate <NUM> to one <NUM> of two bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. A clamp portion <NUM> of the plate holding forceps <NUM>, which clamp portion <NUM> includes a first jaw <NUM> and a second jaw <NUM> movable towards and away from each other, enables this pressing. The first jaw <NUM> includes a jaw through-bore <NUM> configured to be aligned with one of several hole-shaped openings <NUM> of the bone plate <NUM> engaged by the plate holding forceps <NUM>.

An adjustment portion <NUM> of the plate holding forceps <NUM> is configured to adjust a distance between the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM>. For this purpose, the adjustment portion <NUM> includes a first handle part <NUM> and a second handle part <NUM> manually movable with the fingers of one hand relative to each other and configured to thereby adjust the distance between the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM>.

The adjustment portion <NUM> is in this case syringe-shaped, i.e., it comprises a plunger part <NUM>, which includes the first handle part <NUM>, and a barrel part <NUM>, which includes the second handle part <NUM>. The plunger part <NUM> includes a plunger flange portion as the first handle part <NUM> and the barrel part <NUM> includes a barrel flange portion as the second handle part <NUM>, wherein the plunger flange portion and the barrel flange portion remain within lateral boundaries of a circumferential section of a largest cross-sectional profile of the barrel part <NUM>. The barrel flange portion includes opposite lateral wings <NUM>. While these wings <NUM> are fixedly held on or integral with the barrel part <NUM> they could form a separate part, which is held in a rotatable manner on the barrel part <NUM>. Here, the wings <NUM> have a width in a plane parallel to the transverse cross-sectional plane of the barrel part <NUM> less than the width of the largest cross-sectional profile of the barrel part <NUM>. Alternatively, the first handle part <NUM> and the second handle part <NUM> may be two longitudinal parts slidably connected by their lateral sides, e.g., only by their lateral side, such that no part is enclosed by the other in contrast to the plunger part <NUM> being enclosed by the barrel part <NUM>. In this case, the plunger flange portion and the barrel flange portion can be provided in any shape even as respective first handle part flange and/or as second handle part flange, or omitted entirely.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of two of the plate holding forceps <NUM> of <FIG> and an enlargement of said view, wherein each plate holding forceps <NUM> press the same bone plate <NUM> at opposite ends thereof to a different one of the two bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. Having two plate holding forceps <NUM> at the same time for use in the shown manner can help avoid a fracture dislocation, since each of the two bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM> is pressed against the same rigid bone plate <NUM>.

Accordingly, a plate holding forceps system may be provided, which comprises at least one, e.g. two, plate holding forceps <NUM>. Alternatively, the plate holding forceps system may comprise at least one plate holding forceps <NUM> and at least one plate, such as the bone plate <NUM> shown herein, configured to be clamped by the clamp portion <NUM> of the plate holding forceps <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of the plate holding forceps <NUM> with the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM> being distanced from each other. Here, the first jaw <NUM> is laterally spaced apart from the first handle part <NUM> and the second handle part <NUM> by a distance defined by a lateral extension of a first step portion <NUM>. Correspondingly, the second jaw <NUM> is laterally spaced apart from the first handle part <NUM> and the second handle part <NUM> by a corresponding second step portion <NUM>, wherein both step portions <NUM>, <NUM> engage in a guiding manner, which is explained below with reference to <FIG>.

The plate holding forceps <NUM> in this case further comprise a guiding protrusion <NUM>, which protrudes from the first jaw <NUM> in a direction opposite to the second jaw <NUM>. The jaw through-bore <NUM> extends through the first jaw <NUM> and the guiding protrusion <NUM>, which is illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a side view of the plate holding forceps <NUM> with the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM> being distanced less from each other than in <FIG> and tightly holding the bone plate <NUM> to one of the two bone pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The first jaw <NUM> comprises a pointed bottom surface <NUM> facing the second jaw <NUM>. The pointed surface <NUM> is defined by at least two nubs <NUM>, which extend in parallel to and distanced from each other orthogonally from the first jaw <NUM>. In fact, the first jaw <NUM> can comprise a U-shaped cross-section, which is open towards the second jaw <NUM> and which comprises two nubs <NUM>, for example, as the lateral walls of the U-shaped cross-section. The nubs <NUM> and/or the U-shaped cross-section are configured to laterally hold and/or fix the bone plate <NUM> in order to avoid a dislocation of the bone plate <NUM> relative to the first jaw <NUM>.

The second jaw <NUM> comprises a corrugated top surface <NUM> facing the first jaw <NUM>. The corrugated surface <NUM> is configured to better hold the bone piece <NUM>, <NUM> in order to avoid a dislocation of the bone piece <NUM>, <NUM> relative to the second jaw <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate holding forceps <NUM> from the bottom side thereof with the bone plate <NUM> held by the first jaw <NUM>. This view omits the bone piece between the bone plate <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM> to better illustrate the pointed surface <NUM> of the first jaw <NUM> with its four nubs <NUM>. These nubs <NUM> radially enclose a portion of the bone plate <NUM>, which portion structurally defines one of the openings <NUM>. Thereby, the first jaw <NUM> is configured to automatically locate itself such that its jaw through bore <NUM> - see <FIG> - is coaxially aligned with an opening <NUM> of the bone plate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate holding forceps <NUM> from the top side thereof. The plate holding forceps <NUM> in this case further comprise a variable visual indication <NUM> indicating a parameter that depends on the actual distance between the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM>. Here, this visual indication <NUM> is provided by means of numbers engraved on the plunger part <NUM>, such that their value decreases linearly in a direction away from the barrel part <NUM>. When the plunger part <NUM> is moved into the barrel part <NUM>, the first jaw <NUM> is moved closer to the second jaw <NUM> by an equal amount. The number on the plunger part <NUM>, which is still completely visible and closest to the barrel part <NUM>, indicates the screw length to be used for fastening the bone plate <NUM> to the bone piece <NUM>, <NUM>. The bone plate <NUM> and the bone piece <NUM>, <NUM> being located between the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM> will allow no further movement neither between the first jaw <NUM> and the second jaw <NUM> nor between the first handle part <NUM> and the second handle part <NUM>.

The plate holding forceps <NUM> in this case further comprise a ratchet mechanism <NUM> having an active state, in which the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> can be moved towards but not away from each other, and an inactive state, in which the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> can be moved at least away from each other, i.e., towards and away from each other. Here, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> is located closer to the adjustment portion <NUM> than to the clamp portion <NUM> and configured to be manually operated with the same hand that operates the adjustment portion <NUM>. For this purpose, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> comprises a manually operable switch <NUM> configured to move the ratchet mechanism <NUM> into the inactive state.

The ratchet mechanism <NUM> can be provided as shown in the figures. For example, the switch <NUM> may be provided as a rocker arm, which is pivotably hinged to the barrel part <NUM> to pivot around a barrel pivot axis <NUM> laterally fixed to the barrel part <NUM>. One end of the switch <NUM> may be biased away from the barrel part <NUM> by means of a switch spring <NUM>, such that the opposite other end of the switch <NUM> is forced against the plunger part <NUM> to assume the active state. This is achieved by a commonly known provision of a linear rack with teeth on the plunger part <NUM> and a pawl on the other end of the switch <NUM> capable of engaging the teeth - see <FIG> for an illustration. In order to move the switch <NUM> to its inactive state, the end of the switch <NUM> biased away from the barrel part <NUM> can be pushed towards the barrel part <NUM> against the biasing force of the switch spring <NUM>, such that the opposite end of the switch <NUM> is pivoted away from the plunger part <NUM>. Alternatively, the switch may be pivotably hinged to the first handle part <NUM> or the second handle part <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the plate holding forceps <NUM> from the top side thereof with a screwdriver <NUM>. The screwdriver <NUM> extends in parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the adjustment portion <NUM> and its barrel part <NUM>. A screw <NUM> corresponding in length to the visual indication <NUM> is inserted through the jaw through bore <NUM>, i.e. through the guiding protrusion <NUM> and the first jaw <NUM>, to fasten the bone plate <NUM> to the underlying bone piece, which is not shown here in order to better illustrate the screw <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of <FIG> in a state, where the screw <NUM> is not fully countersunk. Here, the jaw through-bore <NUM> comprises an inner funnel shape, which opens in a direction opposite to the second jaw <NUM>, i.e. becomes narrower in a direction towards the second jaw <NUM>. The funnel shaped jaw through-bore <NUM> ensures that the screw <NUM> will match the centre of the opening <NUM> of the bone plate <NUM> lying directly underneath the first jaw <NUM>.

Further, it can be seen that one end of the first step portion <NUM> is attached to the plunger part <NUM>. The other end of the first step portion <NUM> comprises a sliding member <NUM>, which is slidably held within a rail slot <NUM> in the second step portion <NUM>. As shown herein, the rail slot <NUM> may be a T-slot, i.e., a longitudinal groove with an undercut, and face the first step portion <NUM> to extend longitudinally in a clamping/unclamping direction of the clamp portion <NUM>. This specific construction is one possibility to provide a movement of the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> towards and away from each other along a straight line, and avoid a movement of the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> in a plane orthogonal to this straight line.

Claim 1:
Plate holding forceps (<NUM>) for one-hand use, wherein the forceps (<NUM>) are configured to press a bone plate (<NUM>) to bone (<NUM>, <NUM>), the forceps (<NUM>) comprising:
a clamp portion (<NUM>), including a first jaw (<NUM>) and second jaw (<NUM>) movable towards and away from each other, wherein at least the first jaw (<NUM>) includes a through-bore (<NUM>) configured to be aligned with a hole (<NUM>) of a bone plate (<NUM>) engaged by the plate holding forceps (<NUM>); and
an adjustment portion (<NUM>) configured to adjust a distance between the jaws (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the adjustment portion (<NUM>) includes a first handle part (<NUM>) and a second handle part (<NUM>) manually movable with the fingers of one hand relative to each other and configured to thereby adjust the distance between the jaws (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that
the first handle part (<NUM>) and the second handle part (<NUM>) are two longitudinal parts slidably connected by their lateral sides.