US6575975B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone fixation method
Assignee: Synthes USA LLC
•
Filing: 2001-05-04
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Granted: 2003-06-10
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Expires: 2021-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device such as a bone plate, to bone includes a fixation device including a through hole; a bushing having a sidewall with a bore and a slot; a fastening screw with a threaded shaft and a head including a recess; and a locking screw with a body capable of being threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand its radial wall. In use, the bushing is seated within the through hole of the fixation device at a selected angle and the fastening screw is inserted through the bore of the bushing such that its head fits in the bushing and its shaft is threaded into bone. The locking screw may then be threaded into the head of the fastening screw to expand the radial wall of its head resulting in the locking of the fastening screw, and bushing at a selected orientation within the through hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Brace
- 👤 Hansjuerg Emch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/8033; A61B17/8047; A61B17/8038; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for securing a bone plate having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fastening screw through a bushing located in the through hole of the bone plate; threading the fastening screw into a bone; and locking the fastening screw to the bushing and bone plate after the threading step is completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for securing a bone plate having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fastening screw through a bushing located in the through hole of the bone plate; threading the fastening screw into a bone; and locking the fastening screw to the bushing and bone plate after the threading step is completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fastening screw is inserted through the bushing at a surgeon-selected orientation relative to the bone plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fastening screw has a head and the locking step comprises the step of expanding the fastening screw head against the bushing to thereby lock the bushing to the bone plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the expanding step comprises the step of inserting a locking screw into a recess in the head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fastening screw is a self-tapping screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fastening screw is a self-drilling screw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fastening screw has a head portion and a shaft portion and the inserting step comprises inserting the shaft portion trough the hole and the head portion is prevented from extending through the hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 wherein after the inserting step is complete the shaft portion extends through the hole and the head portion is flush with a top surface of the bone plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inserting step comprises locating the bone plate adjacent to bone and inserting the fastening screw in situ.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for securing a fixation device having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bushing in the through hole of the fixation device; inserting a shaft portion of a bone engaging member into the bushing and the through hole from one side of the fixation device to the other side of the fixation device after the providing step is completed; threading the shaft of the bone engaging member into a bone; and locking the bone engaging member to the bushing and fixation device after the threading step is completed, wherein the bone engaging member has a head and the locking step comprises the step of expanding the bone engaging member head against the bushing to thereby lock the bushing to the fixation device and wherein the expanding step comprises the step of inserting a locking screw into a recess in the head.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for securing a fixation device having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bushing in the through hole of the fixation device; inserting a shaft portion of a bone engaging member into the bushing and the through hole from one side of the fixation device to the other side of the fixation device after the providing step is completed; threading the shaft of the bone engaging member into a bone; and locking the bone engaging member to the bushing and fixation device after the threading step is completed, wherein the bone engaging member has a head and the locking step comprises the step of expanding the bone engaging member head against the bushing to thereby lock the bushing to the fixation device and wherein the expanding step comprises the step of inserting a locking screw into a recess in the head.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the bone engaging member is inserted through the bushing at a surgeon-selected orientation relative to the fixation device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the fixation device is a bone plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the bone engaging member is a self tapping screw.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the bone engaging member is a self-drilling screw.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for securing a fixation device having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fastening screw through a bushing located in the through hole of the fixation device; threading the fastening screw into a bone; and locking the fastening screw to the bushing and fixation device after the threading step is completed, wherein the fastening screw has a head and the locking step comprises the step of expanding the fastening screw head against the bushing to thereby lock the bushing to the fixation device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for securing a fixation device having a through hole to bone, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fastening screw through a bushing located in the through hole of the fixation device; threading the fastening screw into a bone; and locking the fastening screw to the bushing and fixation device after the threading step is completed, wherein the fastening screw has a head and the locking step comprises the step of expanding the fastening screw head against the bushing to thereby lock the bushing to the fixation device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the fastening screw is inserted through the bashing at a surgeon-selected orientation relative to the fixation device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the expanding step comprises the step of inserting a locking screw into a recess in the head.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the fixation device is a bone plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein to fastening screw is a self-tapping screw.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the fastening screw is a self-drilling screw.
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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) | 2006-06-09 | 2006-12-09 | 2007-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | 2011-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-09 | 2014-12-09 | 2015-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |