Bone fixation system

Details Bone fixation system Bone fixation system

1998-07-14

2001-05-08

Mancene, Gene (Department: 3732)

Surgery

Instruments

Orthopedic instrumentation

Reexamination Certificate

active

06228085

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a bone fixation system, and more particularly to an internal bone fixation system for the treatment of bone anomalies, such as thoraco-lumbar spinal instability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Trauma, lumbar burst fractures, tumors, severe disc degeneration, and anterior fusion following multiple posterior operations, are just some of the causes of anterior thoraco-lumbar spinal instability. Anterior treatment of thoraco-lumbar spinal instability has included the use of a conventional fixation system comprised of a generally planar plate and fasteners. The plate is arranged between a pair of vertebrae, and has openings for receiving the fasteners. The fasteners engage the appropriate vertebra to affix the plate thereto.
Prior art fixation systems have several disadvantages. In this respect, the fixation systems have relatively flat plates that connect to the vertebrae by some combination of bolts or screws. Loading of such an implant system is primarily onto the smallest, weakest, and least stiff components of the fixation system. The entire load is taken by the screws at one end of the plate, and transferred through the plate to the screws at the other end of the plate. Furthermore, maximal stress on the plate occurs at the tensile (lateral) side of the plate. Accordingly, the stiffness, strength and fatigue properties of prior art fixation systems are deficient.
Moreover, prior art fixation systems have a profile that matches only the anterior profile of the vertebral bodies. As a result, surgeons are forced to cut a channel in the bone in order for the plate to fit properly. This leads to complex surgical procedures, long implantation times, and an anatomical fit which does not allow for biomechanical load-sharing which leads to improvements in mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength and fatigue life.
The present invention addresses these and other drawbacks of prior art bone fixation systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a bone fixation system comprised of a plate and fasteners, wherein said plate is dimensioned to fit both the anterior and lateral profile of vertebral bodies.
An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having greater stiffness than prior art systems.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having greater strength than prior art systems.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having greater fatigue life than prior art systems.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having an enhanced screw-plate interface for easier installation and improved security over prior art systems.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having a plate contoured to fit the lateral profile of the vertebrae, thus providing added thickness for improved rigidity and forming a ledge for supporting the vertebrae in direct compression.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system having an improved anatomical fit over prior art systems.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system that provides improved interoperative graft access and postoperative graft evaluation.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a bone fixation system requiring less surgical complexity for installation.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a fastener system for securely fastening a plate to a bone structure.
Still other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.


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