The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 2014
Filed:
Mar. 24, 2011
Raymond Dunn, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Kristen Billiar, Worcester, MA (US);
Janice Lalikos, Worcester, MA (US);
Alexander Christakis, West Brookfield, MA (US);
John Dieselman, Scituate, MA (US);
Raymond Dunn, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Kristen Billiar, Worcester, MA (US);
Janice Lalikos, Worcester, MA (US);
Alexander Christakis, West Brookfield, MA (US);
John Dieselman, Scituate, MA (US);
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
An assembly for rigid bone fixation includes a plate and a screw. The screw can be rotated freely within the plate in a non-locking configuration to secure the plate against the bone. A locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the screw from moving relative the plate. In one embodiment, the plate includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. The screw head rotates within the non-threaded portion to tighten the screw and pull the plate against the bone. The locking mechanism can include a moveable nut that rotates within the threaded portion of the plate to lock the screw and plate in a locking mode. The locking mechanism can include a second screw to actuate and expansion portion of screw inserted into the bone. The assembly can be used for rigid fixation of bones that experience cyclic loads, such as the sternum and mandible. Methods of rigid bone fixation are also described.