Patent Application
20240268874
The described systems and methods relate to the treatment of bones and joints. In particular, the described systems and methods relate to a salvation plate that can be placed over one or more deteriorating, broken, diseased, malformed, collapsing, or otherwise damaged bones or joints and that can be tightened to the bones or joints with one or more screws, pins, staples, nails, bolts, threaded engagements, anchors, wires, or other fasteners. In this manner, the plate can provide compression to various pieces of the bones and joints to help them heal, fuse, mend, strengthen, and for any other suitable purpose. Additionally, in some cases, one or more screws or other fasteners that extend through the plate are configured to extend through the plate in a wide range of angles. Thus, in some cases, the described salvation plate allows a screw or other fastener to be driven through the plate at an angle that allows the fastener to grab pieces of bone that could otherwise not be grabbed were the fastener not able to be inserted at that specific angle.
Many times, when a bone breaks, collapses, or fractures, it is damaged in such a way that it is difficult for the bone to heal, at least without surgery where one or more screws or rods are coupled to the bone to hold it together. Similarly, in some cases in which one or more joints are severely damaged, the bones on each side of the joint are held together with one or more screws or rods to allow the joint to heal.
While the use of screws and rods to fix bones and joints is relatively common, such methods are not necessarily without their shortcomings. Indeed, in some cases, bones and joints can be so damaged that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to treat such bones and joints with screws and rods alone.
Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to help heal damaged bones and joints, challenges still exist, including those listed above. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques.
The described systems and methods relate to the treatment of bones and joints. In particular, the described systems and methods relate to a salvation plate that can be placed over one or more deteriorating, broken, diseased, malformed, collapsing, or otherwise damaged bones or joints and that can be tightened to the bones or joints with one or more screws, pins, staples, nails, bolts, threaded engagements, anchors, wires, or other fasteners. In this manner, the plate can provide compression to various pieces of the bones and joints to help them heal, fuse, mend, strengthen, and for any other suitable purpose. Additionally, in some cases, one or more screws or other fasteners that extend through the plate are configured to extend through the plate in a wide range of angles. Thus, in some cases, the salvation plate allows a screw or other fastener to be driven through the plate at an angle that allows the fastener to grab pieces of bone that could otherwise not be grabbed were the fastener not able to be inserted at that specific angle.
The salvation plate (or plate) can include any suitable component or characteristic that allows it to function as described herein. For instance, the plate can have any suitable shape that allows the plate to function as intended. Indeed, in some implementations, the plate comprises one or more portions that are substantially flat, planar, curved, rounded, convex, concave, branched, lobed, polygonal, narrowed, broadened, necked, symmetrical, asymmetrical, chamfered, raised, depressed, bent, angled, formed (e.g., manually or in any other suitable manner) to meet the needs of one or more bone interfaces, or that have any other suitable shape. In some cases, for instance, a portion of the salvation plate comprises a planar section. In some cases, however, a portion of the salvation plate comprises a convex external surface and a concave internal surface that is disposed opposite to the convex surface such that the concave internal surface is configured to wrap or otherwise extend at least partially around one or more bones that are covered by the plate.
In some cases, the plate defines one or more first fastener openings (e.g., or anchor opening) that are each configured to allow a first fastener (or anchor) to extend through the plate so as to enter into one or more bones that are covered by the plate at a first angle that falls within a first maximum range of angular motion. In some such cases, the first range of angular motion is relatively large (e.g., between 0 degrees and 210 degrees (or within any subrange thereof) with respect to a lower portion of the plate (e.g., internal surface of the plate that is disposed distally, or in any other suitable location, with respect to the first fastener opening). As the first fastener can extend through the first fastener opening at a wide variety of angles, the first fastener can be oriented into many different angles to allow the first fastener to grab (and get “purchase” in) portions of the bones that would be difficult (if not impossible) to grab if the angular range of motion of the first fastener in the first fastener opening were more limited.
Where the plate defines one or more first fastener openings, the plate can define any suitable number of openings, including, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more. Additionally, such openings can be disposed in any suitable locations that allow the plate to function as described herein. In this regard, some examples of suitable locations for the first fastener opening include a proximal, distal, medial, lateral, central, corner, posterior, anterior, inferior, superior, or any other suitable portion (or portions) of the plate. Indeed, in some cases, one or more first fastener openings are disposed at or adjacent to a center of the plate. Moreover, in some cases, one or more first fastener openings (or anchor fastener openings or anchor openings) are disposed at a proximal end portion of the plate. In some such cases, by driving a first fastener (an anchor, or any suitable fastener that extends through the first fastener opening or anchor opening) through the first (or anchor) faster opening with the first fastener (or an anchor or an anchor fastener) extending at least somewhat in a proximal direction into the bone, the first fastener can pull one or more bones, bone parts, or joints together in a proximal direction.
In some cases, the plate also defines one or more second fastener openings (or civility holes) that are each configured to allow a second fastener (or a civility fastener, or any suitable fastener that extends through the second (or civility) fastener opening) to extend through the plate and to enter into the bone at a second angle that falls within a second range of angular motion, which is smaller than the first range of angular motion. While second fasteners can be inserted through the second fastener openings at any suitable angle, in some implementations, the plate is configured (e.g., by its shape; by the shape, size, configuration, placement, or any other suitable characteristic of the second fastener openings; or in any other suitable manner) to direct two or more of the second fasteners into bone at converging angles to securely lock the plate to the bone.
Where the plate defines one or more second fastener openings, such openings can be disposed in any suitable location or locations, including at a distal, proximal, medial, lateral, corner, central, posterior, anterior, inferior, superior, or any other suitable portion of the plate. Indeed, in some cases, most (if not all) of the second fastener openings are disposed closer to a distal end portion of the plate than to a proximal end portion of the plate than is one or more of the first fastener openings.
These and other features and advantages of the described systems and methods will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the described systems and methods may be learned by the practice thereof or will be obvious from the description. as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the described systems and methods are obtained, a more particular description of the described systems and methods will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings (including any measurements, wording, specifications, images, quantities, and other information provided therein) depict only representative embodiments of the described systems and methods and are not, therefore, to be considered as being limiting in scope. In this light, the described systems and methods will be set forth and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The described systems and methods relate to the treatment of bones and joints. In particular, the described systems and methods relate to a salvation plate that can be placed over one or more deteriorating, broken, diseased, malformed, collapsing, or otherwise damaged bones or joints and that can be tightened to the bones or joints with one or more screws, pins, staples, nails, bolts, threaded engagements, anchors, wires, or other fasteners. In this manner, the plate can provide compression to various pieces of the bones and joints to help them heal, fuse, mend, strengthen, and for any other suitable purpose. Additionally, in some cases, one or more screws or other fasteners that extend through the plate are configured to be able to extend through the plate in a wide range of angles. Thus, in some cases, the salvation plate allows a screw or other fastener to be driven through the plate at an angle that allows the fastener to grab pieces of bone that could otherwise not be grabbed were the fastener not able to be inserted at that specific angle.
In many cases, as medical personnel perform surgeries, it can be difficult to find suitable portions of bone that can be coupled together (e.g., where the bone is fractured or otherwise damaged) with a just a screw or rod. This can be especially true in serious bone fractures and in joints that are severely damaged. In this regard, some embodiments of the described salvation plate allow one or more screws or other fasteners to be moved to a wide variety of angles to allow the fasteners to: grab (or get “purchase” in) bone that would otherwise be difficult to capture, and force the salvation plate to pull or otherwise move one or more bones or joints to help provide compression and strength to the bones or joint (e.g., to help them to fuse together, heal, or for any other suitable purpose). Thus, in some cases in which a bone or joint could not otherwise be fused, the described plate allows medical personnel to save, salvage, or otherwise provide salvation to the bone or joint.
While the described salvation plate can comprise any suitable component or characteristic that allows it to function as intended,
With respect to the salvation plate 15, the plate can comprise any suitable characteristic that allows it to function as described herein. Indeed, in accordance with some embodiments,
As another example of a suitable characteristic of the salvation plate 15,
The salvation plate 15 can have any suitable shape that allows it to be placed on and coupled to one or more bones or joints to help provide compression or to move to the bones or joints. Indeed, in some embodiments, when viewed from a plan view, the salvation plate is or comprises a portion that is circular, elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal, pentagonal, polygonal, paddle-shaped, butterfly-shaped, lobed, branched, necked, hourglass shaped, symmetrical, asymmetrical, regular, irregular, configured to substantially match a shape of a bone, rounded, curved, elongated, shaped to have one or more narrowed sections, shaped to have one or more broadened sections, or that has any other suitable shape.
By way of non-limiting illustration,
Moreover,
In another example,
As yet an additional example of suitable shapes of the plate 15,
In some embodiments, the salvation plate 15 (or at least a portion thereof) is flat or is mostly flat (e.g., when viewed from its proximal P or distal D ends). By way of non-limiting illustration,
That said, in some embodiments, the salvation plate 15 comprises one or more raised portions, lowered portions, convex portions, concave portions, rounded portions, curved portions, or any other suitably shaped portion that allows for: increased surface area contact between one or more portions of the plate (e.g., the first face 60) and one or more bones or joints; a portion of the plate to extend into a countersunk portion of one or more bones; an edge of the plate (e.g., a proximal end P or any other suitable portion) to be flush with, to be disposed below, or to be disposed less than 1 cm (or any suitable amount less than that) above an outer surface of a bone to which the plate is attached; or that otherwise allows the plate to function as described herein. Indeed, some embodiments of the salvation plate are curved, arched, undulated, angled, or are otherwise not straight between the plates first end 40 (e.g., the proximal end P) and second end 45 (e.g., the distal end D). Moreover, in some embodiments, the salvation plate is curved, arched, undulated, angled, or otherwise not straight between the plates first lateral side 50 and second lateral side 55. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Where the salvation plate 15 is rounded, curved, or angled between its first 50 and second 55 lateral sides, the salvation plate can be rounded, curved, or angled in any suitable manner that allows it to function as described herein. Indeed, in some embodiments, the salvation plate comprises a segment of a cylinder, a portion of a cone shape, any suitable radius of curvature, a shape that substantially matches an outer shape of one or more bones, a polygonal shape, or any other suitable shape. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Although some embodiments of the plate 15 are completely straight from the first end 40 to the second end 45 of the plate (as discussed above), some embodiments of the plate comprise one or more recessed portions 27 or curved, bent, or angled portions 29. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Where the plate 15 comprises one or more recessed portions 27 or curved, bent, or angled portions 29, such portions can be disposed in any suitable location with respect to the plate, including being located proximally, distally, laterally, medially, in a central position, in an off-center position, distal to one or more first fastener openings 22, proximal to one or more second fastener openings, or in any other suitable position. By way of non-limiting illustration,
In some embodiments, the recessed portion 27 is configured to extend into a portion of a bone (e.g., a countersunk portion 70) so as to allow a fastener (e.g., a first (or anchor) fastener) to have a wide range of angular motion through a first fastener opening 22 (e.g., so as to allow the first fastener to pull the plate 15 and a bone that is coupled thereto proximally or in any other suitable direction). Where the salvation plate comprises one or more recessed portions, the recessed portions can extend any suitable amount past the first (or internal) face 60 of a distal end D (or any other suitable portion) of the plate, including to a span S (as illustrated in
Where the plate 15 comprises one or more curved, bent, or angled portions 29 that define or are adjacent to one or more first fastener openings 22 (or anchor openings), the curved or angled portions can extend any suitable distance (or height H, as shown in
The salvation plate 15 can be any suitable size that allows it to function as described herein. For instance, the salvation plate can be any suitable thickness, including having a thickness (T, as illustrated in
The salvation plate 15 can also have any suitable width (e.g., as shown by W in
The salvation plate 15 can also have any suitable length (e.g., as shown by L in
In some embodiments, the width W and the length L of the salvation plate 15 are substantially equal to each other. In some other embodiments, however, the width W is shorter than the length L. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Turning now to the fastener openings 20, the salvation plate 15 can comprise any suitable type of fastener openings that allow the plate to function as described herein. Indeed, in some embodiments, the plate comprises one or more first fastener openings (or anchor fastener openings) openings 22, one or more second fastener openings (or civility fastener openings) 24, or any other suitable type of fastener opening. In some embodiments, however, the plate comprises a combination of first fastener and second fastener openings. While the first and second fastener openings can have any suitable characteristic, in some embodiments, the second fastener openings provide fasteners that extend therethrough with a smaller range of angular motion than do the first fastener openings (as described in more detail below).
Where the salvation plate 15 comprises one or more first 22 or second 24 fastener openings, the salvation plate 10 can include any suitable number of each type of opening. Indeed, in some embodiments, the salvation plate comprises (or defines) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more first or second fastener openings. By way of non-limiting illustration,
While (as discussed above) the salvation plate 15 can comprise any suitable number of fastener openings 20 (e.g., first 22 or second 22 fastener openings), in some embodiments, the plate comprises between 0.5 and 3 (or any subrange thereof) fastener openings per centimeter of the length L of the salvation plate. Indeed, in some embodiments, the salvation plate defines between 0.5 and 1.5 (e.g., 1) fastener openings (first fastener openings, second fastener openings, or combinations thereof) for each cm in the length L of the salvation plate.
Where the salvation plate 15 comprises one or more fastener openings 20 (e.g., first 22 or second 24 fastener openings), the fastener openings can be disposed at any suitable locations in the salvation plate. Indeed, in some embodiments, the fastener openings are disposed adjacent to the first end 40 (e.g., the proximal end P), adjacent to the second end 45 (e.g., the distal end D), adjacent to the first lateral side 50, adjacent to the second lateral side 55, at or adjacent to a center of the plate, at any suitable location between the first and second ends, at a corner or edge of the plate, at any suitable location between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, or in any other suitable location. Indeed, in some embodiments, one or more first fastener openings are disposed at or adjacent to the proximal end P of the plate. In some cases, one or more first fastener openings are disposed in a center of the plate. Additionally, in some cases, one or more first fastener openings are disposed distal to another first fastener opening.
Where one or more first fastener openings 22 are disposed at or adjacent to a proximal end P of the plate 15, such openings can be disposed in any suitable location that allows the plate to function as intended. By way of non-limiting illustration,
In some other examples that show placement of the first fastener opening 22,
With respect to the second fastener openings 24 (or civility holes),
Where the salvation plate 15 comprises one or more fastener openings 20 (e.g., first 22 or second 24 fastener openings), the fastener openings can have any suitable characteristic that allows a fastener 30 to pass therethrough to couple the salvation plate to one or more bones or joints. For instance, the fastener openings can have any suitable shape that allows them to perform their intended function, including being circular, being cylindrical, being keyed, having multiple widths or diameters, being funnel-shaped, being cup-shaped, flaring, tapering, being square, being rectangular, being polygonal, being symmetrical, being asymmetrical, or having any other suitable shape. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Additionally,
As another example of a suitable characteristic of the fastener openings (e.g., the first 22 and second 24 fastener openings), the fastener openings can be any suitable sizes that allow them to function as intended. Indeed, in some embodiments, the openings have an inner diameter that is between 0.5 mm and 2.5 cm (or within any subrange thereof). Indeed, in some embodiments, the fastener openings have an inner diameter that is between 2 mm and 1.5 cm (e.g., between 3 mm and 5 mm).
Where the plate 15 comprises both the first 22 and the second 24 fastener openings, the various fastener openings can be suitable size with respect to each other. For instance, the first fastener openings can be larger than, smaller than, or equal in size to one or more second fastener openings. Indeed, in some embodiments, the first fastener openings are larger than the second fastener openings (e.g., to allow the first fastener opening to provide an anchor fastener with a larger range of angular motion than the second fastener opening can provide its fasteners 30 (or civility fasteners). In such embodiments, the first fastener openings can be any suitable amount larger than the second fastener openings, including being between 1 percent and 1500 percent larger in diameter (or width), or within any subrange thereof, of the diameter (or width) of a second fastener opening. Indeed, in some embodiments, the first fastener opening is between 20 percent and 500 percent larger (or within any subrange thereof) than at least one of the second fastener openings in the plate 15.
In some embodiments, the fastener openings 20 (e.g., the first 22 or second 24 fastener openings) are configured to limit a range of motion or an angle of ingress of a corresponding fastener 30 that extends therethrough. While in some embodiments, all of the fastener openings (e.g., the first and second fastener openings) are configured to limit an ingress angle of a fastener to the same extent, in some embodiments, one or more openings (e.g., one or more first fastener openings) are configured to limit an ingress angle of a fastener 30 (e.g., an anchor fastener) to a lesser extent than do one or more second fastener openings limit an ingress angle of the civility fasteners in the salvation plate 15.
By way of non-limiting illustration,
The fastener openings 20 (e.g., the first 22 and second 24 fastener openings) can allow for their corresponding fasteners 30 to have any range (or maximum range) of angular motion as the fasteners enter or ingress into the openings and the bone covered by or adjacent to the salvation plate 15. Indeed, in some embodiments, the fastener openings are each configured to allow a tip of a fastener to pass through a fastener opening at an angle (e.g., as illustrated by angle a, b, or c in
In some embodiments, the first fastener opening 22 is configured to provide its corresponding fastener 30 (anchor 85) with a maximum angular range of motion (as illustrated by angle a in
With regard to the foregoing, the various first fastener openings 22 and plate 15 can provide one or more corresponding fasteners 30 (or anchors 85) with the broad range of angular motion (as discussed above) in any suitable manner, including by: defining the first fastener opening in a curved, bent, or angled portion 29 of the plate; having the inner diameter of the first fastener opening be relatively large with respect to the outer diameter of the fastener 30 that passes through such opening; having the orifice of the first fastener opening be: cylindrical, flared from the second face 65 towards the first face 60 (e.g., as shown in
In some embodiments, the inner diameter (or width) of the first fastener opening 22 is between 10 percent and 99 percent (or within any subrange thereof) of the diameter (or width) of the head of the corresponding fastener. Indeed, in some embodiments, the inner diameter (or width) of the first fastener opening 22 is between 60 percent and 95 percent (or within any subrange thereof) of the diameter (or width) of the head of the corresponding fastener, thus giving the fastener a relatively large angular range of motion.
In some embodiments, to provide a fastener 30 (e.g., an anchor 85) with a relatively large range of angular motion, the plate 15 defines one or more grooves, recesses, or other channels that are configured to receive the fastener's head or to otherwise help the plate provide the fastener with a relatively large range of angular motion in the first fastener opening 22. In such embodiments, the plate can define such channels in any suitable location. By way of non-limiting illustration,
As mentioned above, the second fastener openings 24 (or civility holes) can provide their corresponding fasteners 30 (or civility fasteners, meaning fasteners that pass through the second fastener opening) with any suitable range of angular motion, including as described above. In some embodiments, however, the second fastener openings are configured to provide their corresponding fasteners with smaller maximum angular ranges of motion than do the first fastener openings. Indeed, the second (or civility) fastener openings can provide their respective fasteners (or civility fasteners) with any smaller maximum range of motion than what the first fastener openings provide their corresponding fasteners (or anchors). Indeed, in some embodiments, the second fastener openings are configured to provide their fasteners with a maximum range of motion that is between 1 degree and 239 degrees (or within any subrange thereof) smaller than the maximum range of motion provided by the first fastener openings. Indeed, in some embodiments, the second fastener openings provide their fasteners with a range of motion that is at least 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, or any other suitable amount that is smaller than the range of motion provided to the anchor fasteners by the first fastener openings. In this regard, while the second fastener openings and their corresponding civility fasteners can perform any suitable function, in some embodiments, their purpose is to securely couple the plate to one or more bones such that when the fastener or anchor 85 in a first fastener opening 22 is tightened to pull the plate (e.g., proximally), the fasteners in the second fastener openings (or the civility fasteners) lock the plate to the bone(s) such that the bone(s) move with the plate.
In some embodiments, the second fastener opening 24 is configured to provide its civility fasteners with a maximum angular range of motion (as illustrated by angles b or c in
With regard to the foregoing, the various second fastener openings 24 and plate 15 can provide one or more corresponding civility fasteners with a limited (or reduced) range of angular motion (as discussed above) in any suitable manner, including by: having relatively tight tolerances between the inner diameter of the second fastener opening and the outer diameter of the corresponding civility fastener; having one or more recesses 75 defined in the plate that are configured to receive or capture a head or upper portion of the corresponding fastener (e.g., as illustrated in
In some embodiments in which the plate 15 comprises more than one second fastener openings 24, the corresponding fasteners 30 (or civility fasteners) can pass through the plate at any suitable angle or angles with respect to each other. Indeed, in some embodiments, the various civility fasteners that pass through the second fastener openings run parallel to each other, run at diverging angles with respect to each other, run at converging angles with respect to each other, or are disposed in the bone in any other suitable fashion with respect to each other. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Where two or more second fastener openings 24 are configured to direct two or more fasteners 30 (e.g., civility fasteners) towards each other at converging angles, the fasteners can be directed towards each other at any suitable angle, including at an angle that is between 1 degree and 110 degrees (or within any subrange thereof). By way of non-limiting illustration,
With reference now to the fasteners 30 themselves, the described salvation plate 15 can be coupled to one or more bones through the use of any suitable type of fastener. In this regard, some examples of suitable fasteners include one or more screws, bolts, lag bolts, threaded couplers, nails (e.g., round top nails, wires, or pins 92, as shown in
Where the system 10 comprises one or more screws, the screws can have any suitable characteristic that allows them to function as intended (e.g., for an anchor screw passing through the first fastener opening 22 to pull the plate 15 as the screw is tightened; for a civility screw passing through the second fastener opening 24 to secure the plate to the bone; etc.). Indeed, in some embodiments, the screw (e.g., an anchor 85) has a relatively wide flat thread pitch (e.g., as shown in
Moreover, in some cases in which the system 10 comprises one or more screws, the screws have any suitable type or types of torque limiting factors (e.g., twist-off portions, perforated portions, or any other suitable torque limiter) that allows a user to know when the screw has enough purchase (e.g., when it is in tight enough) that it will not pull out. Furthermore, in some cases, the screw or other fastener is configured to not twist past a chosen foot-pound limit. Additionally, in some cases, one or more additional screws (and/or other fasteners) are used to split the load of the plate over a greater area so as to reduce the foot-pounds needed per screw.
In order to ensure that the various fasteners 30 (e.g., anchor and civility fasteners) do not back out of the plate 15 unintentionally, the plate or the fasteners themselves can have any suitable component or characteristic that is configured to keep them in the bone or plate. Indeed, in some embodiments, the fasteners comprise one or more spines, catches, spurs, collars, projections, expansions, pins, barbs, threaded engagements, adhesives, prongs, spikes, or any other suitable features that help secure the fasteners to the plate or to one or more bones. By way of non-limiting illustration,
In some embodiments, the plate 15 itself is configured to help retain one or more of the fasteners 30. In such embodiments, the plate can retain the fasteners in any suitable manner, including through the use of one or more frictional engagements, threaded engagements, non-threaded engagements, barbs, catches, spines, hooks, snaps, clasps, clips, hasps, spurs, fastener catches, or any other suitable mechanisms. By way of non-limiting illustration,
In addition to the aforementioned components, the described salvation plate system 10 can comprise any other suitable component or characteristic that allows it to function as intended. In one example, the system (e.g., the plate 15, the fasteners 30, etc.) include one or more antimicrobial materials, such as one or more: types of zirconia; metallic elements (e.g., silver (Ag), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and any other suitable metallic elements); types of cerium, bismuth, fluorine, silicon, graphene, hydroxyapatite, or other suitable antimicrobial materials; antibiotics; antimicrobial peptides; chlorhexidine; synthetic polymers; polyethylene glycol; chitosan, polylactic acid, cellulose, hydrogels, or any other suitable materials that can carry antimicrobial drugs; or any other suitable biocompatible antimicrobial materials that comprise, are coated on, impregnated in, incorporated with, or otherwise used with one or more components of the salvation plate system 10.
In another example, while the system 10 is described herein as being used to compress or move bones in a proximal direction, any suitable portion of the system can be reoriented in any suitable manner (e.g., rotated such that the portions referred to herein as being proximal are now distal, and vice versa) to allow the system to pull or compress bone in any other suitable direction (e.g., distally).
As another example, some embodiments of the salvation plate 15 comprise one or more barbs, spikes, posts, catches, protuberances, pins, posts, or other projections that extend from the first face 60 of the salvation plate. By way of non-limiting illustration,
In addition to the aforementioned features, the described system 10 can include any other suitable feature. Indeed, in some embodiments, the second surface 65 of the salvation plate 15 includes one or more recesses 75 to allow a portion of a staple 90 or other fastener 30 to be seated in the second surface to help reduce rubbing between a portion of the fastener and tissue that contacts the second surface.
Additionally, in accordance with some embodiments, the use of fastener 30 (e.g., an anchor) through the first fastener opening 22, which provides the fastener with a large degree of angular movement, can allow the plate 15 to be properly anchored in a location in which some competing devices could not.
As another example of a suitable feature, some embodiments of the plate 15 are relatively rigid and not configured to be bent for use. In some other cases, however, one or more portions of the salvation plate comprise one or more materials or portions that are somewhat malleable. In some such embodiments, when the plate is put into place in a patient, the plate is bent (e.g., by hand, with a tool, or in any other suitable manner) to help the plate better match the contours of one or more bones.
As another example, while the salvation plate system 10 is shown herein to be used with bones in the feet, the described system can be used with any other suitable bones and in any other suitable portion of a patient's body. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system is coupled to one or more parts of one or more tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges, carpals, metacarpals, humeri, femurs, scapulae, pelvises, tibias, fibulas, radii, ulnae, or any other suitable bone or bones.
In yet another example, although some embodiments of the plate 15 comprise one or more first fastener openings 22 that are disposed at or adjacent to a proximal end P of the plate, in some other embodiments, the plate defines one or more first fastener openings at or adjacent to its distal end D. Thus, in some embodiments, instead of being used to pull one or more bones proximally, the plate is configured (and is used) to pull one or more bones (e.g., a distal portion of a fibula) distally (e.g., as mentioned above).
The described salvation plate system 10 and its various components can be made in any suitable manner. In this regard, some non-limiting examples of methods for making the described salvation plate 15 and fasteners 30 include molding, stamping, punching, drilling, bending, straitening, cold heading, heat treating, thread rolling, tapping, dying, cutting, fitting, welding, melting, forming through additive manufacture, CNC milling, and otherwise forming and assembling the various components to form the described system.
The salvation plate system 10 and its various components can comprise any suitable biocompatible material or materials that allow the components to be disposed in a patient's body and that allows such components to function as intended. In this regard, some non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the salvation plate 15 and the fasteners 30 include one or more types of: stainless steel; titanium; cobalt chrome; titanium cobalt; titanium alloy; aluminum alloy; biosynthetic material; bioresorbable material; nitinol; nickel titanium alloy; tantalum; polyetherketone; cobalt chromium-based alloy; an alloy comprising vanadium, aluminum, and titanium; zirconium; zirconia; oxinium (oxidized zirconium); ceramic material; plastic material; polymer material; or any other suitable material. Indeed, in some embodiments the salvation plate and the fasteners comprise one or more metals or ceramics. More specifically, some embodiments of the plate and fasteners comprise one or more titanium alloys.
The described salvation plate system 10 can also be used in any suitable manner. By way of non-limiting example,
Where a solidifying material is introduced into a bone, the solidifying material can be introduced into the bone in any suitable manner, including by being injected into, packed into, or otherwise introduced into one or more bones. Moreover, where a solidifying material is introduced into a bone, the solidifying material can perform any suitable function, including providing a strong structure to receive and retain a fastener (e.g., an anchor fastener that is inserted into the bone through a first fastener opening 22 or any other suitable fastener 30); filing intramedullary or fragmentation gaps; strengthening soft, osteopenic, osteoporic, or fragmenting bone; Charcot/neurogenic-arthritic bone; and otherwise preparing the bone to receive the plate 15. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Where one or more solidifying materials is introduced into a bone, any suitable solidifying agent can be used. In this regard, some examples of such solidifying agents include one or more flowable bone sulfate/phosphate cements, acrylic bone cements, calcium phosphate bone cements, magnesium phosphate bone cements, types of polymethyl methacrylate, or any other suitable solidifying material that is biocompatible.
Continuing on to box 210,
In accordance with some embodiments, box 215 shows that the method 200 further continues as the plate 15 is optionally bent to fit one or more contours of one of more bones. While this bending can be performed in any suitable manner, in some cases, the plate is bent by hand, with a pair of pliers, with a hammer, with a tool, or in any other suitable manner.
Continuing with the method 200, box 220 shows that, in some cases (e.g., where the plate 15 comprises one or more recessed portions 27 or bent, curved, or angled portions 29), the method optionally comprises removing or otherwise countersinking an amount of bone to allow the plate to be properly seated in the patient. In such cases, the bone can be removed in any suitable manner, including through the use of one or more chisels, drill bits, grinders, burrs, guides, or in any other suitable manner.
Indeed, in accordance with some embodiments, bone is removed or otherwise countersunk through the use of one or more guides or jigs. While such a guide and jig can have any suitable configuration,
In another example of a method for removing or otherwise countersinking bone,
Returning to the method 200 of
Where the fastener 175 (e.g., a modified anchor fastener, as shown in
Where the fastener 175 has a bone removal tool 180 and threads 185, the threads (as is the case with every other fastener 30 described herein (wherever possible) or that can be used with the system 10) can have any suitable characteristic, including having any suitable: pitch, type of lead, number of starts (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.), angle, thread-form, coarseness, fineness, consistency in pitch, variation in pitch, consistency in threading, variation in threading, or have any other suitable shape or characteristic. By way of non-limiting illustration,
Where the fastener 175 comprises a bone removal tool 180 (e.g., as shown in
Continuing with
Once the plate 15 is properly coupled to one or more desired bones, box 235 shows that, in some embodiments, the anchor fastener (or the fastener 30 that extends through the first fastener opening 22) is driven through the first fastener opening in a desired direction (e.g., proximally or in any other suitable direction) and into one or more bones or joints to pull the plate (and any bones attached thereto) in the desired direction. Indeed, in some embodiments, by so doing, the plate and desired bone or bones can be pulled between 0.1 mm and 3 cm (or within any subrange thereof) in the desired direction.
Once the plate 15 is secured in place, it can be left in place for the duration of the patient's life.
Thus, as discussed herein, the described systems and methods relate to the treatment of bones and joints. In particular, the described systems and methods relate to a salvation plate that can be placed over one or more deteriorating, broken, diseased, malformed, collapsing, or otherwise damaged bones or joints and that can be tightened to the bones or joints with one or more screws, pins, staples, nails, bolts, threaded engagements, anchors, wires, or other fasteners. In this manner, the plate can provide compression to various pieces of the bones and joints to help them heal, fuse, mend, strengthen, and for any other suitable purpose. Additionally, in some cases, one or more screws or other fasteners that extend through the plate are configured to extend through the plate in a wide range of angles. Thus, in some cases, the salvation plate allows a screw or other fastener to be driven through the plate at an angle that allows the fastener to grab pieces of bone that could otherwise not be grabbed were the fastener not able to be inserted at that specific angle.
As the systems and methods disclosed herein are compatible with one another, the systems discussed herein can be used in practicing the methods disclosed herein, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method may further include implementing, exercising, or otherwise using any of the components discussed herein for any of their stated or intended purposes, as reasonably predictable and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The systems disclosed herein can be made in any suitable manner, and they may be used in any way consistent with their operational capabilities. Moreover, in some cases, any particular element or elements of any apparatus—or portion or portions of any method—disclosed herein can be omitted.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the” and other singular references include plural referents, and plural references include the singular, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a panel includes reference to one or more panels, and reference to spacer wires includes reference to one or more spacer wires. In addition, where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, and c), such reference is intended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements. Moreover, the term “or” by itself is not exclusive (and therefore may be interpreted to mean “and/or”) unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “and” may be interpreted to be “and/or”. Furthermore, the terms “including”, “having”, “such as”, “for example”, “e.g.”, and any similar terms are not intended to limit the disclosure and may be interpreted as being followed by the words “without limitation”.
In addition, as the terms “on”, “disposed on”, “attached to”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, etc. are used herein, one object (e.g., a material, element, structure, member, etc.) can be on, disposed on, attached to, connected to, or otherwise coupled to another object—regardless of whether the one object is directly on, attached, connected, or coupled to the other object, or whether there are one or more intervening objects between the one object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., “front”, “back”, “on top of”, “below”, “above”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “up”, “down”, “under”, “over”, “upper”, “lower”, “lateral”, “right-side”, “left-side”, “base”, etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way of limitation.
The described systems and methods may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments, examples, and illustrations are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the described systems and methods is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Moreover, any component and characteristic from any embodiments, examples, and illustrations set forth herein can be combined in any suitable manner with any other components or characteristics from one or more other embodiments, examples, and illustrations described herein.
This application claims priority to each of: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/444,935 (Attorney Docket No. 35023.3), which is entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A SALVATION PLATE, and which was filed on Feb. 11, 2023; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/445,239 (Attorney Docket No. 35023.4), which is entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A SALVATION PLATE, and which was filed on Feb. 13, 2023; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/525,126 (Attorney Docket No. 35023.6), which is entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A SALVATION PLATE, and which was filed on Jul. 5, 2023; the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63525126 | Jul 2023 | US | |
| 63444935 | Feb 2023 | US | |
| 63445239 | Feb 2023 | US |
