US4683878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Osteosynthetic fixation plate
Assignee: Biomet Inc
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Filing: 1985-04-29
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Granted: 1987-08-04
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Expires: 2005-04-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises an elongated bone fixation plate with a center portion which bridges the fracture site. The central portion has a square cross-sectional shape. Two oppositely directed end portions extend axially from the central portion. The central portion has a width which is substantially less than the width of the end portions of the bone fixation plate. The end portions of the bone fixation plate have a plurality of elongated holes and each end portion tapers in thickness from adjacent the central portion to the outer terminating ends of the fixation plate. The plurality of holes are elongated in nature with each hole having a vertical distal wall and an inclined proximal end wall sloping toward the vertical distal wall. Each end portion has a uniform width and the entire bottom surface of each end portion may be concave in shape so as to provide a complementary mating surface with the fractured bone. By employing cortical or cancellous bone screws having a head whose bottom surface is rounded, the bone fixation plate draws each bone piece toward one another and places the bone pieces in compression at the fracture site when the plate and screws are fully secured to the bone.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/8004; A61B17/8014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An osteosynthetic bone fixation plate for securing fractured or disjointed bones, comprising: a unitary, elongated, rigid plate having a central portion of sufficient length to bridge a fracture site, said central portion having a substantially square cross-sectional shape throughout its length, and two oppositely directed end portions, each of which extends axially from said central portion to a terminating end, said end portions having a width greater than said central portion and having a thickness which decreasingly tapers from said central portion to said terminating ends, said end portions also having a plurality of elongated holes, each of said holes having a vertical distal end wall and an inclined proximal end wall, whereby said plate, when secured to said fractured bones with a plurality of bone screws, places said fractured bones in compression with respect to one another at said fracture site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An osteosynthetic bone fixation plate for securing fractured or disjointed bones, comprising: a unitary, elongated, rigid plate having a central portion of sufficient length to bridge a fracture site, said central portion having a substantially square cross-sectional shape throughout its length, and two oppositely directed end portions, each of which extends axially from said central portion to a terminating end, said end portions having a width greater than said central portion and having a thickness which decreasingly tapers from said central portion to said terminating ends, said end portions also having a plurality of elongated holes, each of said holes having a vertical distal end wall and an inclined proximal end wall, whereby said plate, when secured to said fractured bones with a plurality of bone screws, places said fractured bones in compression with respect to one another at said fracture site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, further including a tapered portion extending between said central portion and each of said oppositely directed end portions so that said plate gradually increases in width from said square cross-sectional central portion to said oppositely directed end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein said holes include a beveled edge so that said screws are countersunk when fully secured to said fractured bones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein said inclined proximal end wall of said hole is concave.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein said inclined proximal end wall of said hole is convex.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, made from an alloy having a titanium base with a 6%, by weight, aluminum, and 4%, by weight, vanadium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein each of said holes is identically sized and in axial alignment with one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein said unitary, elongated, rigid plate has a bottom surface which is curved concavely so as to complementary mate with the surface of said fractured bones.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 1, wherein said central portion and said two oppositely directed end portions have bottom surfaces, said bottom surface of said central portion is non-planar with said bottom surfaces of said two oppositely directed end portions, to prevent said plate from contacting said bones at said fracture site.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 9, wherein said bottom surfaces of said two oppositely directed end portions have rounded edges adjacent said central portion to aid in increasing the vascular supply adjacent said fracture site.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
191 words
An osteosynthetic bone fixation device for securing fractured bones, comprising a unitary, elongated, rigid plate and a plurality of cortical or cancellous bone screws, said unitary, elongated plate having a central portion of sufficient length to bridge a fracture site, said central portion having a substantially square cross-sectional shape throughout its length, and two oppositely directed end portions, each of which extends axially from said central portion to a terminating end, said end portions having a width greater than that of said central portion and having a thickness which decreasingly tapers from said central portion to said terminating ends, said end portions also having a plurality of elongated holes, each of said holes having a vertical distal end wall and an inclined proximal end wall, said bone screws having an elongated threaded portion and a head at one end thereof, said head having a bottom surface which is rounded so as to slidingly mate with said inclined proximal end wall, whereby said plate, when secured to said fractured bones with a plurality of said bone screws, places said fractured bones in compression with respect to one another at said fracture site.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
191 words
An osteosynthetic bone fixation device for securing fractured bones, comprising a unitary, elongated, rigid plate and a plurality of cortical or cancellous bone screws, said unitary, elongated plate having a central portion of sufficient length to bridge a fracture site, said central portion having a substantially square cross-sectional shape throughout its length, and two oppositely directed end portions, each of which extends axially from said central portion to a terminating end, said end portions having a width greater than that of said central portion and having a thickness which decreasingly tapers from said central portion to said terminating ends, said end portions also having a plurality of elongated holes, each of said holes having a vertical distal end wall and an inclined proximal end wall, said bone screws having an elongated threaded portion and a head at one end thereof, said head having a bottom surface which is rounded so as to slidingly mate with said inclined proximal end wall, whereby said plate, when secured to said fractured bones with a plurality of said bone screws, places said fractured bones in compression with respect to one another at said fracture site.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, further including a tapered portion extending between said central portion and each of said oppositely directed end portions so that said plate gradually increases in width from said square cross-sectional central portion to said oppositely directed end portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein said holes include a beveled edge so that said screws are countersunk when fully secured to said fractured bones.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein said inclined proximal end wall of said hole is concave.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein said inclined proximal end wall of said hole is convex.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, made from an alloy having a titanium base with a 6%, by weight, aluminum, and 4%, by weight, vanadium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein each of said holes is identically sized and in axial alignment with one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein said unitary, elongated, rigid plate has a bottom surface which is curved concavely so as to complementarily mate with the surface of said fractured bones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 11, wherein said central portion and said two oppositely directed end portions have bottom surfaces, said bottom surface of said central portion is non-planar with said bottom surfaces of said two oppositely end portions, to prevent said plate from contacting said bones at said fracture site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bone fixation plate of claim 19, wherein said bottom surfaces of said two oppositely directed end portions have rounded edges adjacent said central portion to aid in increasing the vascular supply adjacent said fracture site.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-03 | 1991-02-02 | 1991-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-03 | 1995-02-02 | 1995-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-03 | 1999-02-02 | 1999-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |