Zimmer Gmbh

Kyle Wirtz

Michael Bottlang

Steven M Madey

Stanley Tsai

Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone with a bone plate. In various embodiments, the systems and plates provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to an osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension can promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments where fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate can enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate. This relative motion can promote fracture healing by callus formation.

Flexible plate fixation of bone fractures

A device can be provided that includes a bone plate having an upper surface and a bone-facing surface, wherein the bone plate includes one or more openings extending through the bone plate from the upper surface to the bone-facing surface, and one or more sliding elements each including a fastener receiving hole. The one or more openings can at least partially surround a periphery of one of the receiving holes. Further, the one or more openings can be at least partially filled with an elastomer to support elastic suspension of the one or more sliding elements in the bone plate, thereby enabling relative displacement between the one or more sliding elements and the bone plate. At least one sensor can also be provided that is operable to assess a dynamic parameter of one of the one or more sliding elements within the bone plate.

Embodiments provide a method and device for plate osteosynthesis of a bone fracture that allows angle-stable fixation of the bone fracture, while permitting elastic axial motion at the fracture site in a controlled, symmetric manner to stimulate fracture healing. Embodiments pertain to a bone plate having an outer surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone plate incorporating internal sliding elements containing a threaded receiving hole for bone screws that have a correspondingly threaded screw head. The sliding elements undergo controlled displacement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate but are substantially constrained against displacement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The bone screws with threaded heads may be rigidly fixed to the threaded receiving holes in the sliding elements without compressing the bone plate onto the hone surface. Sliding elements are elastically suspended inside the bone plate and undergo dynamic motion.

Bone plate for elastic osteosynthesis

Embodiments provide a method and device for plate osteosynthesis of a bone fracture that allows angle-stable fixation of the bone fracture, while permitting elastic axial motion at the fracture site in a controlled, symmetric manner to stimulate fracture healing. Embodiments pertain to a bone plate having an outer surface and a bone-facing surface. The bone plate incorporating internal sliding elements containing a threaded receiving hole for bone screws that have a correspondingly threaded screw head. The sliding elements undergo controlled displacement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate but are substantially constrained against displacement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The bone screws with threaded heads may be rigidly fixed to the threaded receiving holes in the sliding elements without compressing the bone plate onto the bone surface. Sliding elements are elastically suspended inside the bone plate and undergo dynamic motion.

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Kyle Wirtz