Device for the fixation of bones
The device for bone fixation comprises a bone plate ( 1 ), made from a polymeric material, with an upper side ( 2 ), an underside ( 3 ) intended to be in contact with the bone and plate holes ( 4 ) of diameter “D”, which connect the upper side ( 2 ) with the underside ( 3 ), and with one hole axis ( 5 ) and several longitudinal bone fixation elements ( 10 ), which are intended to be introduced into the holes ( 4 ) of the plate ( 1 ) and have an external thread ( 11 ) with a diameter “A” and a core diameter “K”.
1 . A bone fixation system comprising:
a bone plate having a upper surface, a lower surface for contacting bone, and at least a first fixation hole having a first diameter and an interior surface;
a first longitudinal element having a threaded portion having a second diameter, and configured to be inserted into the first fixation hole;
wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, such that as the first longitudinal element is inserted into the first fixation hole, a thread is formed on the interior surface of the first fixation hole.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bone plate is comprised of a polymeric material.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric material is PEEK.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second fixation hole configured to receive a second longitudinal element.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a borehole having a central axis substantially perpendicular to at least one of the upper and lower surface of the bone plate.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the borehole is at least partially threaded.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the borehole is located in a substantially central location on the bone plate.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the borehole is substantially conical.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fixation hole has a first central axis forming a substantially angular relationship with a central axis of the bone plate.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the angle created between the first central axis and the central axis of the bone plate is between about 20° and about 80°.
11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a second fixation hole having a second central axis substantially parallel to the first central axis.
12 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a second fixation hole having a second central axis substantially askew to the first central axis.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the bone plate is curved.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal element has a core diameter, and wherein the first diameter is greater than the core diameter.
15 . A method of bone fixation comprising:
(a) providing a bone plate having a upper surface, a lower surface for contacting bone, and at least a first fixation hole having a first diameter and an unthreaded interior surface;
(b) placing the bone plate proximate a bone;
(c) inserting a first longitudinal element into the first fixation hole, wherein the first longitudinal element has a threaded portion having a second diameter; and
(d) forming a thread is formed on the interior surface of the first fixation hole during insertion of the first longitudinal element therein.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the bone plate is comprised of a polymeric material.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the polymeric material is PEEK.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the bone plate further comprises a second fixation hole, and further comprising the step of inserting a second longitudinal element into the second fixation hole.