Bone fixture assembly

摘要

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 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.

主权项

1. A bone fixation device comprising:
a plate having a plurality of holes, at least one of the plurality of holes having a threaded interior; a plurality of threaded screws to attach the plate to a bone, each screw having a threaded portion sized to engage the at least one hole having the threaded interior, a head with a displaceable head portion and a slot in the head; and a screw locking displacer element that extends from a surface of the plate to engage the slot in the head to thereby displace a portion of the head relative to the screw to attach at least one of the plurality of threaded screws to the plate.