U.S. patent application number 11/868727 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for blade plate and instruments.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY, INC.. Invention is credited to Jerry L. Aikins, George Bryan Cornwall, Raymond Desjardins, Paul Duwelius, James Goulet, John E. Meyers, Scott A. Moon, Gregory G. Price, Patrick Rousseau, David Templeman, Roy Wiley, Robert A. Winquist.
Application Number | 20080027458 11/868727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25473136 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080027458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aikins; Jerry L. ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
BLADE PLATE AND INSTRUMENTS
Abstract
A blade plate, as well as instruments and methods for securing
the blade plate to a bone to reduce a bone fracture. The blade
plate includes a plate portion and a blade portion extending at an
angle relative to the plate portion. The plate portion includes a
plurality of holes for receipt of bone screws for securing the
blade plate to the bone about the bone fracture. A strut screw,
inserted through a hole in the plate portion, spans the angle
between the plate and blade portions, and threadingly engages a
hole in the blade portion to slightly draw the plate and blade
portions together to compress and support the bone fracture. A pair
of top screws are inserted through holes in the plate portion at
angles with respect to the strut screw on either side of the strut
screw. Additionally, the blade plate is designed to closely conform
to the surface of the bone to minimize the gap between the bone and
the blade plate. In order to secure the blade plate to a bone, a
chisel/drill guide, chisel, insertion guide, and screw drill guides
are provided.
Inventors: |
Aikins; Jerry L.; (Warsaw,
IN) ; Cornwall; George Bryan; (San Diego, CA)
; Desjardins; Raymond; (White Lake, CA) ;
Duwelius; Paul; (Lake Oswego, OR) ; Goulet;
James; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Templeman; David;
(Plymouth, MN) ; Meyers; John E.; (Columbia City,
IN) ; Moon; Scott A.; (Valparaiso, IN) ;
Price; Gregory G.; (Warsaw, IN) ; Rousseau;
Patrick; (Hardwick, NJ) ; Wiley; Roy; (Warsaw,
IN) ; Winquist; Robert A.; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY - BAKER & DANIELS
111 EAST WAYNE STREET, SUITE 800
FORT WAYNE
IN
46802
US
|
Assignee: |
ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
P.O. Box 708 345 East Main Street
Warsaw
IN
46580
|
Family ID: |
25473136 |
Appl. No.: |
11/868727 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09939412 |
Aug 24, 2001 |
|
|
|
11868727 |
Oct 8, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/96 ; 606/79;
606/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/1725 20130101;
A61B 17/1668 20130101; A61B 17/1604 20130101; A61B 17/92 20130101;
A61B 17/809 20130101; A61B 17/1721 20130101; A61B 17/1735 20130101;
A61B 17/1728 20130101; A61B 17/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/096 ;
606/079; 606/087 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/56 20060101
A61B017/56; A61B 17/58 20060101 A61B017/58 |
Claims
1. A kit, comprising: a chisel having an elongate blade portion;
and a chisel and drill guide member, the chisel and drill guide
member having a first channel therethrough, said first channel
dimensioned to receive said chisel.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first channel includes a first
key element and said chisel includes a second key element, said
first and said second key elements engaging one another when said
chisel is received within said first channel.
3. The kit of claim 1, wherein said channel and said chisel are
cooperatively dimensioned such that said chisel may only be
received through said channel according to a single
orientation.
4. The kit of claim 1, wherein said chisel and drill guide member
further includes a chamfer slot therein, said chamfer slot disposed
at an angle relative to said first channel and extending through
said chisel and drill guide member to meet said first channel.
5. The kit of claim 1, wherein said chisel and drill guide member
further includes at least one second channel therethrough and
disposed parallel to said first channel, said kit further including
a guide wire disposed through one of said at least one second
channels.
6. A kit, comprising: a drill guide insert; and a chisel and drill
guide member, the chisel and drill guide member having a first
channel therethrough, said first channel dimensioned to receive
said drill guide insert.
7. The kit of claim 6, wherein said first channel includes a first
key element and said drill guide insert includes a second key
element, said first and said second key elements engaging one
another when said drill guide insert is received within said first
channel.
8. The kit of claim 6, wherein said channel and said chisel are
cooperatively dimensioned such that said chisel may only be
received through said channel according to a single
orientation.
9. The kit of claim 6, wherein said drill guide insert includes a
plurality of guide bores therein.
10. The kit of claim 6, wherein said chisel and drill guide member
further includes a chamfer slot therein, said chamfer slot disposed
at an angle relative to said first channel and extending through
said chisel and drill guide member to meet said first channel.
11. The kit of claim 6, wherein said chisel and drill guide member
further includes at least one second channel therethrough and
disposed parallel to said first channel, said kit further including
a guide wire disposed through one of said at least one second
channels.
12. A method, comprising: providing a chisel and a chisel guide
member, the chisel guide member having a channel therethrough
dimensioned to receive the chisel, and a chamfer slot extending
therethrough to meet the channel, the chamfer slot disposed at an
angle with respect to the channel; locating the chisel guide member
against the surface of a bone; inserting the chisel through the
channel in the chisel guide member; driving the chisel into the
bone to form an insertion channel through at least a portion of the
bone, the insertion channel defining an opening at the bone surface
having a corner portion; providing a tool; inserting the tool
through the chamfer slot of the chisel guide member; and removing
bone material from the corner portion with the tool to
substantially form a chamfer in the edge of the bone at the
insertion channel opening.
13. The method of claim 12, further including, before said
inserting step, the additional steps of: providing a drill guide
insert having a plurality of bores therein; inserting the drill
guide insert within the channel; drilling holes into the bone
through each of the drill guide holes; and removing the drill guide
insert from the channel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/939,412, entitled BLADE PLATE AND INSTRUMENTS, filed on
Aug. 24, 2001, assigned to the assignee of the present application,
the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated hereby by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to medical implants and
associated methods for reducing a bone fracture and supporting the
bone while the bone heals, and more particularly, to a blade plate
and instruments for securing the blade plate to a bone to reduce a
bone fracture.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Bone plates are secured to a bone about a fracture in the
bone to hold the bone in place while the fracture heals.
Additionally, the bone plate may be secured to the bone in a manner
in which the bone plate also provides support and/or compression to
the bone about the fracture in order to compress the fracture.
Typically, such bone plates include a plurality of holes therein
for receipt of screws which are inserted into the bone to secure
the bone plate to the bone about the fracture to hold the fracture
in place. The bone plate may also include a blade extending
therefrom for insertion into a channel which has been pre-cut into
the bone, in order to support the fragments of the fractured bone
and to establish a compressive load about the fracture to compress
the fracture.
[0006] While known bone plates have proven effective for reducing a
bone fracture and compressing the fracture while the bone heals, an
improved bone plate, as well as instruments for securing the bone
plate to a bone, are desired, for providing improved bone fixation
about the fracture, increased patient comfort, and improved
accuracy of installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a bone plate, as well as
instruments and methods for securing the bone plate to a bone to
reduce a bone fracture. The bone plate may be in the form of a
blade plate, including a plate portion and a blade portion
extending at an angle relative to the plate portion. The plate
portion includes a plurality of holes for receipt of bone screws
for securing the blade plate to the bone about the bone fracture. A
strut screw hole in the plate portion, which is disposed at an
angle relative to the plane in which the plate portion is disposed,
receives a strut screw therethrough. The strut screw spans the
angle between the plate and blade portions, and the end of the
strut screw threadingly engages a hole in the blade portion to
support the blade portion and to prevent movement of same, and to
secure the blade and plate portions of the blade plate about the
fracture to compress the fracture.
[0008] Additionally, the plate portion includes first and second
holes for receiving top screws, the first and second holes
including counterbores which are shaped to allow the top screws to
be received therethrough at an angle relative to the strut screw to
avoid contact between the top screws and the strut screw. Further,
the plate portion includes a cross screw hole disposed closely
adjacent the strut screw hole through which a cross screw may be
inserted, with the head of the cross screw abutting the head of the
strut screw to lock the strut screw in position whereby withdrawal
of the strut screw outwardly from the bone is prevented.
[0009] The plate and blade portions are connected at a bend in the
blade plate. The fillet radius of the bend, which is defined
interiorly of the bend intermediate the plate and blade portions,
is greatly reduced from known designs, allowing closer conformity
of the blade plate with the bone surface at the outer edge of the
channel in the bone through which the blade is inserted, and
minimizing the gap between the blade plate and the bone surface in
the area of the bend in the blade plate.
[0010] To secure the blade plate to the bone about the fracture,
instruments and corresponding methods are also disclosed. One
embodiment of such instruments and corresponding methods is briefly
described below. A chisel and drill guide assembly is provided,
which includes a chisel/drill guide member having at least one slot
therein through which a guide wire may be disposed for locating the
chisel/drill guide member with respect to the bone surface, and a
plate portion extending therefrom which rests against the bone
surface. A drill guide, which includes drill guide holes for
drilling holes in the bone which correspond to the insertion point
of the blade portion of the blade plate, is received within a
channel in the chisel/drill guide member. The drill guide is
removed after such holes are drilled, and a chisel is inserted
through the channel in the chisel/drill guide member and driven
into the bone to form a blade insertion channel in the bone about
the holes. After the blade insertion channel is formed, the chisel
is removed, and a drill or saw blade is inserted into a chamfer
slot in the chisel/drill guide member to remove bone material from
a corner portion of the bone at the opening of the blade insertion
channel, thereby forming a chamfer on the bone to facilitate a
closely conforming fit between the fillet radius of the blade plate
and the bone at the opening of the blade insertion channel.
[0011] After removal of the chisel/drill guide member, an insertion
guide is secured to the blade plate and passed over the guide wire.
A hammer and impaction handle, or alternatively, a slap hammer, is
used to drive the blade portion of the blade plate into the blade
insertion channel in the bone. After insertion of the blade portion
of the blade plate, screws are inserted through the blade plate and
into the bone to reduce and compress the fracture. The number of
screws inserted, and the order of insertion thereof, may vary. A
top screw drill guide is attached to the insertion guide to
facilitate the insertion of a first top screw at an angle relative
to the plate portion, after first pre-drilling a guide hole in the
bone through the top screw drill guide. The top screw drill guide
is then removed from the insertion guide. A strut screw drill guide
is then attached to the insertion guide, and, after pre-drilling a
hole in the bone, a strut screw is inserted which extends through
the bone between the plate portion and the blade portion of the
blade plate, the strut screw threadingly engaging the blade portion
to secure the blade plate and plate portions about the fracture. An
additional top screw, a cross screw, and a plurality of compression
screws may also be inserted through the plate portion of the blade
plate as needed to further secure the blade plate to the bone for
reducing the fracture.
[0012] In one form thereof, the present invention provides a bone
plate assembly, including a bone plate including first and second
extending portions defining an angle therebetween, each of the
first and second portions having at least one hole therein; and a
screw extending through a hole in one of the first and second
portions, the screw threadingly engaging another hole in the other
of the first and second portions, wherein the screw spans said
angle between the first and second portions.
[0013] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
bone plate, including a plate portion and a blade portion extending
from one another at an angle and connected to one another at a
bend, the bend having a radius defined intermediate the plate
portion and the blade portion, the radius dimensioned such that,
with the plate portion resting against an outer surface of a bone
and the blade portion extending into the bone, the radius fits
closely adjacent the outside surface of the bone.
[0014] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
method of designing a blade plate from at least one sample bone
such that the bone plate conforms to the outer surface of the bone,
including the steps of taking a plurality of measurements of the
bone surface; generating one of a three-dimensional model and a
three-dimensional map of the bone surface; and determining the
shape of the bone plate to conform to one of the three-dimensional
model and three dimensional map.
[0015] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
bone plate, including an elongate plate portion disposed in a
plane, the plate portion including first and second holes disposed
closely adjacent one another, the first hole disposed through the
plate portion at an angle relative to the plane and the second hole
disposed through the plate portion substantially perpendicular to
the plane; and first and second screws each having a head, the
first and second screws respectively disposed through the first and
second holes, the head of the second screw positioned to prevent
removal of the first screw from the plate portion.
[0016] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
bone plate assembly, including a bone plate having elongate plate
and blade portions connected to one another at a bend and disposed
at an angle with respect to one another, the plate portion having a
first hole therein and a second hole therein which is disposed
intermediate the first hole and said bend; a strut screw disposed
through the first hole and extending toward the blade portion; a
top screw disposed through the second hole, the top screw extending
angularly to one side of the strut screw.
[0017] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
kit, including a chisel having an elongate blade portion; and a
chisel and drill guide member, the chisel and drill guide member
having a first channel therethrough, the first channel dimensioned
to receive the chisel.
[0018] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
kit, including a drill guide insert; and a chisel and drill guide
member, the chisel and drill guide member having a first channel
therethrough, the first channel dimensioned to receive the drill
guide insert.
[0019] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
method, including the steps of providing a chisel and a chisel
guide member, the chisel guide member having a channel therethrough
dimensioned to receive the chisel, and a chamfer slot extending
therethrough to meet the channel, the chamfer slot disposed at an
angle with respect to the channel; locating the chisel guide member
against the surface of a bone; inserting the chisel through the
channel in the chisel guide member; driving the chisel into the
bone to form an insertion channel through at least a portion of the
bone, the insertion channel defining an opening at the bone surface
having a corner portion; providing a tool; inserting the tool
through the chamfer slot of the chisel guide member; and removing
bone material from the corner portion with the tool to
substantially form a radius in the edge of the bone at the
insertion channel opening.
[0020] In a further form thereof, the present invention provides a
kit, including a bone plate having elongate plate and blade
portions disposed at an angle with respect to one another, the
plate portion having a plurality of holes therein; an insertion
guide member detachably securable to the plate portion of the bone
plate; and a screw guide detachably securable to the insertion
guide member in alignment with one of the plurality of holes in the
plate portion.
[0021] In a still further form thereof, the present invention
provides a kit, including a bone plate having plate and blade
portions disposed at an angle with respect to one another, the
plate portion having a long dimension and plurality of holes
therein; and an insertion guide member detachably securable to the
plate portion of the bone plate, the insertion guide member having
at least one screw guide member integral therewith, the screw guide
member disposed at an angle with respect to the plate and blade
portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of an embodiment of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view through a bone having a
fracture, including a known blade plate assembly secured to the
bone;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of a known blade plate;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view through a bone having a
fracture, including a blade plate assembly according to the present
invention secured to the bone;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blade plate according to
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a side view of the blade plate of FIG. 4;
[0028] FIG. 5B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
blade plate of FIGS. 4 and 5A;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bone having a fracture,
and a guide wire inserted into the bone;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bone to which a
chisel/drill guide member is attached, further showing a drill
guide insert being inserted within the guide channel of the
chisel/drill guide member;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drill guide insert of
FIG. 7;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bone to which a
chisel/drill guide member is attached, further showing a guide hole
being drilled through the drill guide insert;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a chisel;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bone to which a
chisel/drill guide member is attached, further showing the chisel
of FIG. 10 being driven into the guide channel of the chisel/drill
guide member to form a blade insertion channel in the bone;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a bone to which a
chisel/drill guide member is attached, further showing a drill
being inserted through the chamfer slot of the chisel/drill guide
member to remove bone material from a corner portion of the blade
insertion channel in the bone;
[0036] FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing a bone having a blade
insertion channel formed therein, a blade plate, an insertion
guide, and a screw and lock member for securing the insertion guide
to the blade plate;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the screw and lock member of
FIG. 13, taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing an impaction
handle for driving the blade plate into the blade insertion channel
in the bone;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a top screw
drill guide attached to the insertion guide and a top screw drill
sleeve being inserted into the top screw drill guide;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of insertion guide of FIG. 16,
showing the top screw drill guide attached thereto;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG.
17;
[0042] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a top screw
hole being pre-drilled into the bone through the top screw drill
guide;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a top screw
being inserted into the bone through the top screw drill guide
after removal of the top screw drill sleeve;
[0044] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing removal of
the top screw drill guide, and a plurality of compression screws
inserted through the blade plate into the bone;
[0045] FIG. 22a is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a strut
screw drill guide attached to the insertion guide, and a strut
screw drill sleeve being inserted into the strut screw drill
guide;
[0046] FIG. 22b is a sectional view through the bone, blade plate,
and insertion guide of FIG. 22a;
[0047] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a strut
screw hole being pre-drilled into the bone through the strut screw
drill guide;
[0048] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate and insertion guide is attached, further showing a strut
screw being inserted into the bone through the strut screw drill
guide;
[0049] FIG. 25 is a sectional view through a portion of the blade
portion of a blade plate, showing a strut screw threadedly engaging
a blade plate hole in the blade portion of the blade plate;
[0050] FIG. 26 is a partial sectional view of a blade plate through
which a pair of top screws and a strut screw have been inserted,
viewed directly down the strut screw and showing the top screws
each disposed at an angle with respect to the strut screw;
[0051] FIG. 27 is a sectional view through a blade plate, showing a
cross screw inserted through the cross screw hole in the blade
plate, the cross screw being spaced from the head of the strut
screw;
[0052] FIG. 28 is a sectional view through a blade plate, showing a
cross screw inserted through the cross screw hole in the blade
plate, the head of the cross screw abutting the head of the strut
screw to lock the strut screw in position;
[0053] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate is attached, further showing an insertion guide, top screw
drill sleeve, and a thumb screw for securing the insertion guide to
the blade plate, according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate is attached, further showing an insertion guide according to
a further embodiment of the present invention, and also showing a
strut screw drill guide and strut screw drill sleeve;
[0055] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate is attached, further showing the insertion guide of FIG. 30,
and a strut screw drill sleeve being inserted into the strut screw
drill guide;
[0056] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a bone to which a blade
plate is attached, further showing removal of the insertion guide
of FIG. 31, and a hand-held top screw drill guide inserted into one
of the top screw holes in the blade plate; and
[0057] FIG. 33 is a partial perspective view of the hand-held top
screw drill guide of FIG. 32.7
[0058] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and such
exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, a known bone plate assembly 40 is
shown, including bone plate 42 secured to bone 44 by screws 46a-f,
which are inserted through holes in bone plate 42 and into bone 44
about fracture 47 to hold the fragments of bone 44 in place until
bone 44 heals. Bone plate 42 is shown as a blade plate, including
plate portion 48 having a plurality of holes therethrough for
receipt of screws 46a-f, and blade portion 50 extending from plate
portion 48 to define an angle therebetween. Plate portion 48 and
blade portion 50 are connected at bend 52, which defines fillet
radius 54 (FIG. 2) intermediate plate portion 48 and blade portion
50. Referring to FIG. 1, it may be seen that, due to the large size
of fillet radius 54, a large gap 56 exists between plate portion 48
and outer surface 58 of bone 44 adjacent bend 52, wherein bend 52
projects outwardly of outer surface 58 of bone 44. Screws 46a-f
include strut screw 46c, which is disposed through one of the holes
in plate portion 48 and extends toward blade portion 50 of blade
plate 42 such that end 60 of strut screw 46c abuts blade portion
50.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, bone plate assembly 70 is shown in
accordance with the present invention, including bone plate 72,
which is shown as a blade plate secured to bone 44 about fracture
47 to hold the fragments of bone 44 in place and to provide a
compressive force about fracture 47. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4,
blade plate 72 includes plate portion 74 and blade portion 76
connected to one another at bend 75. Blade portion 76 extends from
plate portion 74 to define an angle therebetween which, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, is a slightly obtuse angle. However, blade plate 72
may be shaped such that the angle defined between plate and blade
portions 74, 76 may vary from slightly acute to significantly
obtuse, or any desired angle, depending on the particular geometry
of the bone to which blade plate 72 is to be secured. Additionally,
although blade plate 72 is shown in FIG. 3 secured to the proximal
femur, it should be understood that blade plate 72 may be
appropriately shaped and dimensioned for securing same to the
distal femur, or to any other bone having a fracture therein, in
order to reduce and compress the fracture, without departing from
the present invention.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, plate portion 74 includes first and
second top screw holes 82a, 82b, strut screw hole 84, cross screw
hole 86, and a plurality of compression screw holes 88a-c. As shown
in FIG. 4, it may be seen that the foregoing holes include
respective bores disposed through plate portion 74, as well as
generally bowl-shaped counterbores extending partially through the
thickness of plate portion 74 which define recesses 90a-f in plate
portion 74. Recesses 90a-b of top screw holes 82a, 82b are shown as
oval-shaped, with the long dimensions thereof extending generally
perpendicular to the long dimension of plate portion 74, and recess
90c of strut screw and cross screw holes 84, 86, as well as
recesses 90d-f of compression screw holes 88a-c are also shown as
oval-shaped, with the long dimensions thereof extending generally
parallel to the long dimension of plate portion 74. Recess 90c
encompasses both strut screw hole 84 and cross screw hole 86.
Recess 92 is defined in plate portion 74 intermediate first top
screw hole 82a and bend 75.
[0062] Blade portion 76 includes blade end 94 having a generally
U-shaped cross section including three blade edges 96.
Alternatively, blade end 94 may have an inverted T-shaped cross
section, or any other suitable cross section. Blade portion 76 also
includes blade hole 98 having a chamfer therearound which defines
ledge 100 around at least a portion of blade hole 98.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, bend 75 of blade plate 72
includes fillet radius 102 defined intermediate plate portion 74
and blade portion 76, wherein the size of fillet radius 102 is
minimized in comparison with known blade plate 42 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
Specifically, the size of fillet radius 102 of blade plate 72 is
0.25 inches or less, preferably 0.125 inches, which is reduced from
the fillet radius 54 of prior blade plate 42 of FIGS. 1 and 2,
which prior fillet radius is typically approximately 0.375 inches.
Therefore, referring to FIG. 3, when blade plate 72 is secured to
bone 44, the reduced size of fillet radius 102 thereof reduces the
gap 56 between plate portion 74 of blade plate 72 and outer surface
58 of bone 44, allowing blade plate 72 to closely conform with
outer surface 58 of bone 44.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 5A, plate portion 74 may include first
segment 78 and second segment 80, which meet at intersection 81,
which defines an edge between first and second segments 78, 80.
Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the interface
between first and second segments 78, 80 may be curved at 82
whereby intersection 81 is eliminated, such that plate portion 74
of blade plate 72 may conform even more closely with the outer
surface 58 of bone 44. Specifically, in the embodiment of FIG. 5B,
the interior profile 104 of plate portion 74 is shaped to match the
outer surface 58 of a bone to which blade plate 72 is attached,
such as the proximal femur shown in FIG. 3. In order to determine
the appropriate shape of interior profile 104 of plate portion 74,
actual bone specimens may be used. For example, with regard to
designing the shape of a blade plate for a proximal femur, a
plurality of measurements may taken of the outer surface of
proximal femur specimens, followed by generating one or more
three-dimensional maps or models of the femurs using a computer,
which maps or models are then used to design blade plates having
desired shape characteristics, such as the interior profile of
plate portion 74 which conforms closely to the outer surface of the
proximal femur. The foregoing design method may be used to design
blade plates according to the present invention for use with any
type of bone to which a blade plate may be secured.
[0065] Exemplary methods of securing blade plate 72 to a bone to
reduce a fracture in the bone and to compress the fracture, and
instruments therefor, will now be described with reference to FIGS.
6-32, in which methods are shown for securing blade plate 72 to a
fractured proximal femur. Initially, an incision (not shown) is
made in the body, according to a suitable surgical procedure, to
create a surgical wound near the fracture in the proximal femur to
expose outer surface 58 of bone 44 about fracture 47. As shown in
FIG. 6, a Kirschner guide wire 106 is then inserted into bone 44 in
a known manner to provide a fixed reference point with respect to
bone 44, wherein the free end of guide wire 106 extends outwardly
of the wound in the patient.
[0066] A chisel/drill guide member 108, shown in FIG. 7, is used to
locate and guide the procedure of forming a blade insertion channel
110 (FIG. 13) within bone 44. Chisel/drill guide member 108
includes head portion 112 with plate portion 114 extending
therefrom. Head portion 112 includes a plurality of guide wire
holes 116 for insertion of guide wire 106 therethrough to properly
locate chisel/drill guide member 108 with respect to bone 44. Guide
channel 118 also extends through head portion 112 of chisel/drill
guide member 108, and includes first key element 120 therein, which
is shown in FIG. 7 as a shoulder extending into guide channel 118.
Chamfer slot 122 also extends through head portion 112, and is
disposed at an angle with respect to guide channel 118, wherein the
distal ends of guide channel 118 and chamfer slot 122 meet one
another, as shown in FIG. 12. Chisel/drill guide member 108
additionally includes attachment post 124 for attaching handle 126
thereto. Handle 126 includes handle portion 128 for grasping, and
quick-connect/disconnect collar 130 for quick attachment and
detachment of handle 126 to and from attachment post 124 of
chisel/drill guide member 108.
[0067] After attaching handle 126 to attachment post 124 of
chisel/drill guide member 108, the free end of guide wire 106 is
inserted through one of the guide wire channels 116 in head portion
112 of chisel/drill guide member 108. Chisel/drill guide member 108
is then located against outer surface 58 of bone 44 as shown in
FIG. 7, wherein barbs 132 extending from plate portion 114 of
chisel/drill guide member may bear against outer surface 58 of bone
44 to anchor chisel/drill guide member 108 thereagainst. Plate
portion 114 of chisel/drill guide member 108 additionally includes
a plurality of reference holes 134 therein to indicate the
locations on outer surface 58 of bone 44 at which screws will later
extend into bone 44 through blade plate 72.
[0068] Referring still to FIG. 7, drill guide insert 136 (see also
FIG. 8) is inserted within guide channel 118 of chisel/drill guide
member 108. Drill guide insert 136 includes a second key element
138, shown in FIG. 8, as a channel, which mates with first key
element 120 of guide channel 118 to ensure that drill guide insert
136 is inserted within guide channel 118 according to a
predetermined orientation. Head flange 140 of drill guide insert
136 abuts head portion 112 of chisel/drill guide member 108 at the
entrance of guide channel 118. Drill guide insert 136 includes a
plurality of bores 142 therein which serve as guides for drilling a
plurality of corresponding guide holes within bone 44. Referring to
FIG. 9, after chisel/drill guide member 108 is positioned on bone
44 with drill guide insert 136 disposed in guide channel 118
thereof, guide holes are drilled in bone 44 using a tool, such as
drill 135 with bit 137, through each of the bores 142 of drill
guide insert 136, which correspond to the location of blade
insertion channel 110 within bone 44. After such holes are drilled,
drill guide insert 136 is removed from guide channel 118 of
chisel/drill guide member 108.
[0069] Chisel 142, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, includes stem portion
144 having blade 146 at one end, and head 148 at the other end
thereof opposite blade 146. Stem portion 144 of chisel 142 includes
a second key element 138, shown as a channel, which is adapted to
mate with first key element 120 within guide channel 118 of
chisel/drill guide member 108 when blade 146 and stem portion 144
of chisel 142 are inserted therethrough. The engagement between
first key element 120 of guide channel 118 and second key elements
138 of either drill guide insert 136 or chisel 142, respectively,
insures that drill guide insert 136 and chisel 142 are each
inserted into guide channel 118 according only to a desired
orientation, thereby preventing drill guide insert 136 and chisel
142 from being inserted upside down, for example, within guide
channel 118. Alternatively, guide channel 118 and each of drill
guide insert 136 and chisel 142 may be otherwise cooperatively
shaped or dimensioned such that drill guide insert 136 and chisel
142 may be inserted into guide channel 118 only according to a
single, desired orientation. For example, guide channel 118 may
define a hemispherical opening, and drill guide insert 136 and
chisel 142 may have cooperating hemispherical profiles.
[0070] After chisel 142 is inserted through guide channel 118 in
chisel/drill guide member 108 as shown in FIG. 11, head 148 of
chisel 142 is impacted with a hammer, mallet, or slap hammer to
drive blade 146 of chisel 142 into bone 44 to form blade insertion
channel 110 within bone 44. Chisel 142 may additionally include
depth markings 150 thereon, shown in FIG. 10, which correspond to
the depth into bone 44 to which blade 144 should be driven in order
to result in a desired depth of blade insertion channel 110.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, head 148 of chisel 142 includes
a flattened, cut-away portion at 152, which is faces guide wire 106
in order to prevent potentially interfering contact between head
148 of chisel 142 and guide wire 106 as chisel in driven into bone
44. After chisel 142 is driven into bone 44 to form blade insertion
channel to a desired depth, chisel 142 is removed from guide
channel 118 of chisel/drill guide member 108 to allow access to
blade insertion channel 110 in bone 44.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 12, blade insertion channel 110 includes
opening 154 at outer surface 58 of bone 44, which opening 154
includes corner portion 156. A suitable tool, such as drill 135
with bit 137, for example, is inserted through chamfer slot 122 in
head portion 112 of chisel/drill guide member 108, and is driven
against corner portion 156 of opening 154 of blade insertion
channel 110 to remove bone material from corner portion 156 and
thereby provide opening 154 of blade insertion channel 110 with a
flattened, chamfered edge 158. Chamfered edge 158 allows fillet
radius 102 at bend 75 in blade plate 72 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B)
to fit closely adjacent chamfered edge 158 of bone 44 adjacent
opening 154 of blade insertion channel 110 in bone 44. After bone
material from corner portion 156 is removed as discussed above, the
tool is removed, and then chisel/drill guide member 108 is removed
from bone 44 and detached from the free end of guide wire 106.
[0072] After blade insertion channel 110 is formed in bone 44 as
shown in FIG. 13, blade plate 72 is secured to bone 44 as shown in
FIGS. 13-32. Referring first to FIG. 13, insertion guide 160,
according to one embodiment of the present invention, is secured to
blade plate 72 by screw and lock member 162 (FIG. 14), which
includes thumb screw 164 and lock member 166. As shown in FIG. 13,
locking fingers 168 of lock member 166 are inserted through second
drill guide hole 176 of insertion guide 160, and extend into top
screw hole 82b in blade plate 172. Upon threading thumb screw 164
through lock member 166, locking fingers 168 are spread apart to
frictionally engage top screw hole 82b to secure insertion guide
160 to blade plate 72.
[0073] Insertion guide 160 generally includes head portion 170
having a plurality of holes 180 therein through which guide wire
106 may be inserted, and also includes impaction recess 178. Plate
portion 172, extending from head portion 170, includes first and
second drill guide holes 174, 176, as well as strut screw drill
guide attachment hole 182. Optionally, head portion 172 of
insertion guide 160 may include a stud (not shown) which may fit
within recess 92 (FIG. 4) of blade plate 72 to aid in locating
insertion guide 160 onto blade plate 72.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, after insertion guide 160 is
attached to blade plate 72, guide wire 106 is inserted through one
of holes 180 in head portion 170 of insertion guide 160, and blade
end 94 of blade plate 72 is aligned with blade insertion channel
110 in bone 144. Thereafter, impaction handle 184 is inserted into
impaction recess 178, and head 186 of impaction handle 184 is
struck by a hammer or mallet to drive blade portion 76 of blade
plate 72 into blade insertion channel 110 of bone 44.
Alternatively, a slap hammer (not shown) may be used to drive blade
portion 76 of blade plate 72 into blade insertion channel 110 of
bone 44.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 16-18, top screw drill guide 188 is
attached to insertion guide 160 with handle 190. Handle 190
includes handle portion 192 and threaded end 194. As shown in FIGS.
16-17, threaded end 194 of handle 190 is inserted through handle
guide cylinder 196 of top screw drill guide 188. Threaded end 194
of handle 190 engages one of the indentations 198 formed in plate
portion 172 of insertion guide 160 on either side of first and
second drill holes 174, 176, and additionally, flange 200 of top
screw drill guide abuts an opposite side of plate portion 172 of
insertion guide 160 to secure top screw drill guide 188 to
insertion guide 160.
[0076] Top screw drill guide 188 additionally includes top screw
guide cylinder 202 which, as shown in FIG. 16, is disposed at an
angle with respect to the long dimension of blade portion 76, and
is also disposed substantially perpendicular to the long dimension
of plate portion 74 of blade plate 72, when top screw drill guide
188 is attached to insertion guide 160. Top screw drill sleeve 204
is threadingly inserted into top screw guide cylinder 202 as shown
in FIGS. 16 and 18, and, as shown in FIG. 19, drill 135 with bit
137 is used to drill a guide hole through top screw drill sleeve
204 into bone 44, which hole is disposed at an angle with respect
to the long dimension of blade portion 76, and is disposed
substantially perpendicular to the long dimension of plate portion
74 of blade plate 72.
[0077] After such guide hole is drilled, top screw drill sleeve 204
is removed from top screw guide cylinder 202 as shown in FIG. 20,
and a suitable tool, such as screwdriver 139, is used to insert top
screw 206a through top screw guide cylinder 202, top screw hole 82a
of blade plate 72 (FIG. 4), and into the pre-drilled guide hole in
bone 44. The foregoing procedure is used when top screw 206a is a
self tapping screw. Alternatively, if a non-self tapping top screw
is used, a tap sleeve (not shown) may be inserted into top screw
guide cylinder 202, and a bone tap (not shown) may be used to
pre-tap the guide hole in the bone for later insertion of a
non-self tapping top screw.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 21, after top screw 206a is inserted
through top screw hole 82a of blade plate 72 and into bone 44, top
screw drill guide 188 may be detached from insertion guide 160 by
rotating handle 190 to disengage threaded end 194 of handle 190
from indentation 198 of insertion guide 160.
[0079] Still referring to FIG. 21, after blade plate 72 has been
initially secured to bone 44 by top screw 206a, compression screws
208a-c may be inserted into bone 44 in a suitable manner through
compression screw holes 88a-c of blade plate 72 to further secure
blade plate 72 to bone 44 and to compress bone 44 about fracture 47
to reduce fracture 47. However, it should be noted that compression
screws 208a-c may be inserted into bone 44 through compression
screw holes 88a-c in blade plate 72 at any other suitable or
desired time during the procedure described herein.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 22a, strut screw drill guide 210 is
attached to strut screw drill screw guide attachment hole 182 (FIG.
13) of insertion guide 160 by thumb screw 212, and includes strut
screw guide cylinder 214 which is disposed at an acute angle with
respect to blade plate 72 when strut screw drill guide 210 is
attached to insertion guide 160. Strut screw drill guide 210 may
slide slightly along insertion guide 160 in directions parallel to
the long dimension of plate portion 74 of blade plate 72, as
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 22, to orient strut screw drill
guide 210 with strut screw hole 84 of blade plate 72. Strut screw
drill sleeve 216 is inserted into strut screw guide cylinder 214 as
shown in FIG. 22a, and, as shown in FIG. 23, drill 135 with bit 137
is used to drill a guide hole through strut screw drill sleeve 216,
strut screw hole 84 in blade plate 72 (FIG. 4), and bone 44 toward
blade hole 98 in blade portion 76 of blade plate 72.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 22b, it may be seen that strut screw drill
sleeve 216 includes a reduced diameter, angled end 211 which
extends through strut screw hole 84 of blade plate 72. Angled end
211 is angled to rest against outer surface 58 of bone 44 to guide
bit 137 of drill 135 (FIG. 23), such that skiving of bit 137 of
drill 135 against outer surface 58 of bone 44 is prevented when the
strut screw guide hole is drilled into bone 44, as described above.
Additionally, strut screw drill sleeve 216 may include a pair of
flexible cylinder sub-portions 213, one of same including stud 215
which releaseably engages recess 217 in strut screw guide cylinder
214 when strut screw drill sleeve 216 is inserted therein, in order
to detachably lock strut screw drill sleeve 216 within strut screw
guide cylinder 214.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 24, after removal of strut screw drill
sleeve 216, strut screw 218 is inserted through strut screw guide
cylinder 214 of strut screw drill guide 210, and through strut
screw hole 84 (FIG. 4) of blade plate 72 into bone 44. The
foregoing procedure is used when strut screw 218 is a self tapping
screw. Alternatively, if a non-self tapping strut screw is used, a
tap sleeve (not shown) may be inserted into strut screw guide
cylinder 214, and a bone tap (not shown) may be used to pre-tap the
hole in the bone for later insertion of a non-self tapping strut
screw.
[0083] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 25, threads 220 of strut
screw 218 engage ledge 100 of blade hole 98 in blade portion 76 of
blade plate 72 to thereby threadingly engage strut screw 218 with
blade portion 76 of blade plate 72. Blade portion 76 of blade plate
72 may thus be drawn slightly toward plate portion 74 of blade
plate 72 by tightening strut screw 218 in order to compress bone 44
about fracture 47 and support the fragments of bone 44.
Additionally, strut screw 218 supports blade portion 76 and
prevents movement of blade portion angularly with respect to plate
portion 74, and also torsionally about the long axis of blade
portion 76. After strut screw 218 is thus inserted through strut
screw hole 84 of blade plate 72 through bone 44 and into blade hole
98 in blade portion 76 of blade plate 72, strut screw drill guide
210 is detached from insertion guide 160 by loosening thumb screw
212. Optionally, after the strut screw guide hole is drilled into
bone 44, strut screw drill guide 210 may be detached from insertion
guide 160, as described above, before strut screw 218 is inserted
through strut screw hole 84 of blade plate 72 through bone 44.
[0084] A second top screw 206b (FIG. 26) may be inserted through
top screw hole 82b of blade plate 72 into bone 44 after detaching
screw and lock member 162 from second drill hole 176 (FIG. 13) of
insertion guide 160. Thereafter, top screw drill guide 188 may be
attached to insertion guide 160 as described above adjacent second
drill guide hole 176, and a second top screw 206b may be inserted
through top screw drill hole 82b into bone 44 according to the
procedure described above with regard to top screw 206a.
Optionally, after removal of insertion guide 160, a separate
hand-held top screw drill guide 248, such as that shown in FIG. 30,
may be used for insertion of a second top screw 206b through top
screw hole 82b of blade plate 72 into bone 44.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 26, top screw holes 82a, 82b of blade plate
72 include second counterbores 222a, 222b extending partially
through the thickness of plate portion 74 opposite first
counterbores 90a, 90b (FIG. 4), which allow top screws 206a, 206b
to be inserted through top screw holes 82a, 82b at an angle with
respect to the long dimension of blade portion 76, and
substantially perpendicular to the long dimension of plate portion
74, of blade plate 72. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 26, strut
screw 218 may extend between top screws 206a, 206b, with top screws
206a, 206b disposed at an angle with respect to strut screw
218.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 27, cross or lock screw 224 may be
inserted through cross screw hole 86 into bone 44 in a suitable
manner, such that head 226 of cross screw 224 is spaced from head
228 of strut screw 218 wherein head 226 of cross screw 224 still
prevents removal of strut screw 218 from bone 44. Alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 28, and due to the increased size of cross screw hole
86, cross screw 224 may be inserted through cross screw hole 86
into bone 44 such that head 226 of cross screw 224 abuts head 228
of strut screw 218, wherein heads 226, 228 of cross screw 224 and
strut screw 218, respectively, are each at least partially disposed
within recess 90c. In this manner, the abutment between heads 226,
228 of cross screw 224 and strut screw 218, respectively, locks
strut screw 218 in position and prevents any withdrawal of strut
screw 218 outwardly of plate portion 74 of blade plate 72.
[0087] With respect to the above-described procedure for securing
blade plate 72 to bone 44 about fracture 47, it should be
understood that the order of the particular steps thereof may be
modified as desired, depending upon the particular bone to which
blade plate 72 is attached, the location and orientation of
fracture 47 in bone 44, and other factors.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 29, a second embodiment of an insertion
guide is shown. Insertion guide 230a includes plate portion 232
with holes 231 for receipt of guide wire 106 (not shown)
therethrough, and impaction recess 233. Plate portion 232
additionally includes integral top screw drill guide 234, including
a pair of top screw guide cylinders 236 which are each disposed at
an angle with respect to the long dimensions of blade portion 76 of
blade plate 72, as well as plate portion 232 of insertion guide
230a. Top screw guide cylinders 236 additionally include threads
238 for positively securing top screw drill sleeves 240
therewithin, wherein threads 241 of top screw drill sleeves 240
engage threads 238 of top screw guide cylinder 236. Insertion guide
230a additionally includes attachment hole 243 for receipt of thumb
screw 242 for attaching insertion guide 230a to blade plate 72,
wherein top screw hole 82b of blade plate 72 may include threads
244 for engagement with the threads of thumb screw 242.
Additionally, strut screw drill guide 210 (FIGS. 22a-24) may be
attached to strut screw drill guide hole 246 provided in plate
portion 232 of insertion guide 230a, for drilling a strut screw
guide hole in bone 44 and for inserting strut screw 218 through
blade plate 72 and into bone 44, also as described above. Insertion
guide 230a is otherwise used in a similar manner as insertion guide
160, described above, to secure blade plate 72 to bone 44.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, a third embodiment of an
insertion guide is shown. Insertion guide 230b is similar to
insertion guide 230a, described above, and is used in a similar
manner, except as described below. Insertion guide 230b lacks strut
screw drill guide hole 246 of insertion guide 230a, but rather
includes strut screw drill guide post 250 extending angularly from
plate portion 232 of insertion guide 230b. Strut screw drill guide
252 fits onto strut screw drill guide post 250 for guiding the
insertion of strut screw 218 through blade plate 72 into bone 44.
Strut screw drill guide 252 includes housing 254 with bore 256
therein, into which strut screw drill guide post 250 of insertion
guide 230b extends, and also includes strut screw guide bore 258.
Handle 260 extends from housing 254 for grasping and manipulating
strut screw drill guide 252.
[0090] Referring additionally to FIG. 31, strut screw drill sleeve
262 may be inserted into strut screw guide bore 258, and is used as
a guide for pre-drilling a strut screw guide hole into bone 44, as
described above in connection with the foregoing embodiments. Strut
screw drill sleeve 262 includes angled end 264 which contacts outer
surface 58 of bone 44 to prevent skiving of the drill bit relative
to outer surface 58 of bone 44. Additionally, strut screw drill
sleeve 262 includes flat 266 which abuts face 268 of housing 254 of
strut screw drill guide 252, such that strut screw drill sleeve 262
may only be inserted through strut screw guide bore 258 in an
orientation in which angled end 264 rests against outer surface 58
of bone 44. As also described above in connection with the
foregoing embodiments, strut screw drill sleeve 262 is removed
after the strut screw guide hole is drilled in bone 44 to allow
insertion of a self-tapping strut screw 218 into bone 44 through
blade plate 72. Alternatively, a tap (not shown) may be inserted
through strut screw guide bore 258 into the strut screw guide hole
in bone 44, followed by insertion of a non-self tapping strut screw
into bone 44 through blade plate 72.
[0091] As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, after removal of insertion
guide 230b from blade plate 72 following insertion of one of top
screws 206a, 206b (not shown), according to the procedure described
above in connection with the foregoing embodiment, a separate
hand-held top screw drill guide 248 may be used to drill a guide
hole into bone 44 for a second top screw 206a, 206b, and for
guiding insertion of the second top screw 206a, 206b through blade
plate 72 and into bone 44. Hand-held top screw drill guide 248
includes handle 249, drill guide bore 253, and shaped head 251
dimensioned for close fitting within top screw holes 82a, b of
blade plate 72.
[0092] While this invention has been described as having preferred
designs, the present invention can be further modified within the
spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore
intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the
invention using its general principles. Further, this application
is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as
come within known or customary practice in the art to which this
invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended
claims.
* * * * *