The present invention is generally directed to an orthopedic plating assembly used for bone fixation and subsidence. In particular, the present invention relates to a plating assembly capable of blocking orthopedic anchors to prevent the anchor from disengaging or dislodging from the orthopedic implant.
Whether to treat degenerative disease, traumatic injury, or defect, congenital or otherwise, surgical reconstructions of bony elements are common procedures in current medical practice. Regardless of anatomical region or the specifics of the reconstructive procedure, many surgeons employ orthopedic devices or implants to adjust, align and maintain the spatial relationships of adjacent bones or bony fragments during postoperative osteosynthesis. With respect to surgical reconstruction in the spinal region, it is known to employ orthopedic plates to adjust, align and maintain the spatial relationship of adjacent vertebral bodies to promote postoperative fusion. It is further known to attach the orthopedic plate to the vertebral bodies using orthopedic anchors which act to share the load and support the bone and orthopedic plate as fusion progresses.
In some cases, subsidence occurs in the bone or bone fragments to which the orthopedic plate and anchors are attached. The definition of subsidence in terms of spinal biomechanics is the sinking of the orthopedic plate and anchors having a higher elasticity modulus in one or more vertebral bodies characterized by a lower elasticity modulus, resulting in changes of the spinal geometry. Any excessive subsidence decreases the interbody space and produces both local and general kyphotization of the spine which can cause destabilization of the screw-plate and/or screw-bone interfaces (e.g. pulling-out, altered angulation or breakage of the screws).
In addition, notwithstanding the forces resulting from subsidence, over time, it has also been found that as a result of the forces placed upon the orthopedic device and anchors resulting from the movement of the spine, the orthopedic anchors can begin to back out from their installed position eventually resulting in the anchors disconnecting from the device.
As such, there exists a need for an orthopedic plate and anchors that can accommodate subsidence in the vertebral bodies as well as prevent the fasteners from “backing out” of their installed position.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an orthopedic plating assembly for bone fixation that includes an orthopedic plate and orthopedic anchors that can accommodate subsidence in the vertebral bodies as well as prevent the anchors from “backing out” of their installed position. The assembly, in one embodiment, includes an orthopedic plate and at least one orthopedic anchor, the orthopedic anchor capable of rotating and translating with respect to the plate. The assembly further includes a first blocking member and a second blocking member, the blocking members cooperate to prevent the at least one orthopedic anchor from uninstalling from an installed position.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
With reference to
The assembly 10 preferably includes an orthopedic plate 12 and at least one anchor 14 having a head portion 16, a shank portion 18, and threads 20 that surround at least a portion of the shank portion 18. The head portion 16, preferably, is, at least in part, generally spherical and includes an opening 17 for receiving an instrument capable of engaging and driving the anchor 14 into bone tissue 1. Although only one anchor is discussed, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the plate 12 also includes at least one opening 22 for each anchor 14. The openings 22 are elongated, as best seen in
In a preferred embodiment, the assembly 10 also includes a blocking mechanism 24. The blocking mechanism 24 preferably is comprised of two components that cooperate to block the anchors 14 from backing out or otherwise disengaging from the orthopedic plate 12 after installation of the assembly 10. The first component is a blocking screw 26 having an enlarged head 28. It is contemplated that there will be at least one blocking screw 26 adjacent each opening 22 and each opening 15. In a preferred embodiment, the head 28 includes a cutout 30 and an opening 32 for receiving an actuation instrument. As discussed further below, the orientation of cutout 30 with respect to the opening 22 and opening 15 will determine whether the head 28 is in a blocking position or a non-blocking position. Although the blocking screw 26 is shown as being a set screw, any mechanism that would serve as a blocking mechanism is contemplated, such as a cam type mechanism or a slidable interference mechanism.
The second component is a blocking plate 32. As shown in
In an exemplary use of the assembly 10 as shown in
With respect to the anchors 14 that are installed through the openings 22, as best seen in
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/098,490 filed on Apr. 14, 2016 (published as U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016-0228166), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/722,184 filed on May 27, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,339,314, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/510,156 filed Oct. 9, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,765, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/698,412 filed Feb. 2, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,814, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190254723 A1 | Aug 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15098490 | Apr 2016 | US |
Child | 16398914 | US | |
Parent | 14722184 | May 2015 | US |
Child | 15098490 | US | |
Parent | 14510156 | Oct 2014 | US |
Child | 14722184 | US | |
Parent | 12698412 | Feb 2010 | US |
Child | 14510156 | US |