Lateral Spine Plate With Set Screw Locking of Bone Screws

Abstract

A lateral spine implant has a plate, configured bone screws, and configured setscrews providing locking of bone screw movement. The plate has at least two identically configured bone screw bores, each one with a spherical seat at a bottom opening, and threads around the inner circumference of a top opening. Each setscrew has a cylindrical body with external threads that mate with inner threads of the bone screw bore in order to affix the setscrew to the plate. A threaded spherical pocket is provided in a bottom of the setscrew body which conjoins with the spherical bone screw head to secure the setscrew with the bone screw head, fixing bone screw orientation/angulation. The bone screw head has a formation or formations about at least a portion of its exterior circumference that cooperate with the threads of the spherical pocket of the plate in order to fix bone screw orientation/angulation.

Claims

1. A lateral spine plate implant comprising: a plate; bone screws; and setscrews; the plate having two bores separated by a span, each bore defining an upper opening and a lower opening, first threads around an inner circumference of the upper opening, and second threads around an inner circumference of the lower opening; the bone screws having a head defining a generally planar upper surface and a spherical under surface, a threaded shank extending from the spherical under surface, and an engagement formation on the spherical under surface; and the setscrews having a cylindrical body defining a top surface and a bottom surface, third threads around an outer circumference of the cylindrical body, a pocket in the bottom surface, and fourth threads around an inner circumference of the pocket; the engagement formation on the spherical under surface of the head of the bone screw cooperating with the fourth threads of the pocket of the setscrew to fix bone screw orientation as the third threads of the setscrew engage the first threads of the upper opening of a bore of the plate during installation.

2. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, wherein the engagement formation on the spherical under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises serrations.

3. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, wherein the engagement formation on the spherical under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises knurling.

4. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, wherein the engagement formation on the spherical under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises a helical cutout.

5. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, wherein the engagement formation on the spherical under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises threads.

6. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, wherein a peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the setscrew is angled.

7. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 6, wherein a peripheral edge of the top surface of the setscrew is angled.

8. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 1, further comprising a spherical seat disposed at the lower opening of a bore of the plate, the spherical seat retaining the head of a received bone screw.

9. A lateral spine plate implant comprising: a spine plate having a first bore and a second bore, the first bore and the second bore each defining an upper opening and a lower opening, the lower opening forming a seat, first threads around an inner circumference of the upper opening, and second threads around an inner circumference of the seat; bone screws, each bone screw having a head defining a generally planar upper surface and a rounded under surface, a threaded shank extending from the rounded under surface, and an engagement formation on the rounded under surface; and setscrews, each setscrew having a cylindrical body defining a top surface and a bottom surface, third threads around an outer circumference of the cylindrical body, a pocket in the bottom surface, and fourth threads around an inner circumference of the pocket; the engagement formation on the rounded under surface of the head of the bone screw cooperating with the fourth threads of the pocket of the setscrew to fix bone screw orientation as the third threads of the setscrew engage the first threads of the upper opening of the bore of the plate during installation.

10. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the engagement formation on the rounded under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises serrations.

11. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the engagement formation on the rounded under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises knurling.

12. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the engagement formation on the rounded under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises a helical cutout.

13. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the engagement formation on the rounded under surface of the head of the bone screw comprises threads.

14. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein a peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the setscrew is angled.

15. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 14, wherein a peripheral edge of the top surface of the setscrew is angled.

16. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the first bore and the second bore are separated by a span, the span having a threaded bore configured to receive an implant installation tool.

17. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein: each bone screw has a configured socket formed in the upper surface thereof for reception of a bone screw installation tool; and each setscrew has a configured socket formed in the top surface thereof for reception of a setscrew installation tool.

18. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 17, wherein the configured socket of the setscrew is in communication with the pocket of the setscrew.

19. The lateral spine plate implant of claim 9, wherein the pocket of each setscrew has an upper ledge for engaging an upper surface of the bone screw when a bone screw and setscrew are received in the seat of the first or second bore of the plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate forms of the present invention, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the components of the present lateral spine plate implant;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the lateral spine plate implant of FIG. 1, assembled;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side sectional view of the assembled lateral spine plate implant of FIG. 1 with only the upper portion of the bone screws shown;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the head and partial shank of one form of the bone screw of the present lateral spine plate implant;

[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the head and partial shank of another form of the bone screw of the present lateral spine plate implant;

[0020] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the head and partial shank of another form of the bone screw of the present lateral spine plate implant; and

[0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the setscrew of the present lateral spine plate implant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary form of a lateral spine plate implant, generally designated 10, is shown fashioned in accordance with the present principles, with FIG. 1 depicting components of the lateral spine plate implant 10 in an exploded view, and FIG. 2 depicting the components of the lateral spine plate implant 10 in an assembled view. The lateral spine plate implant 10 is made from a biocompatible material such as, but not limited to, titanium, stainless steel, an alloy of titanium or steel, or other. The lateral spine plate implant 10 is characterized by a spine plate 12, two preferably, but not necessarily, identical bone screws 13, and two preferably, but not necessarily, identical setscrews 14. The lateral spine plate implant 10 is for any portion of the spine. Lateral spine plates of more than two bone screw bores may also be fashioned in accordance with the present principles.

[0023] The spine plate 12 is configured for lateral attachment to adjacent vertebrae. The spine plate 12 is characterized by a body 16 having a first boss 17 on one end of the body 16, and a second boss 19 on another end of the body 16, the nomenclature first and second being arbitrary here and throughout. The first boss 17 has a first bore 18 defining an upper opening area and a lower opening area. A first seat 21 is defined at the lower opening area of the first bore 18 by an annular, radially inwardly angled lower wall designed for reception of a bone screw and, particularly, the head of a bone screw, the radially angled lower wall defining the first seat at the bottom opening of the bone screw bore 18. The second boss 19 has a second bore 20 defining an upper opening area and a lower opening area. A second seat 23 is defined at the lower opening area of the second bore 20 by an annular, radially inwardly angled lower wall designed for reception of a bone screw and, particularly, the head of a bone screw, the radially angled lower wall defining the second seat at the bottom opening of the bone screw bore 20.

[0024] The upper opening area of the first screw bore 18 has threads or threading 22 around its inner circumferential surface or wall. The upper opening area of the second screw bore 20 also has threads or threading 24 about its inner circumferential surface or wall. The inner threads of the upper opening areas of the first and second bores 18, 20 are sized to receive outer threads 44 of a setscrew 14. The inner surface of the first seat or lower opening area 21 of the first bore 18 of the plate 12 shown in FIGS. 1-2 is generally smooth, but may be textured, configured, or otherwise non-smooth, if desired. The inner surface of the second seat or lower opening area 23 of the second bore 20 of the plate shown in FIGS. 1-2 is generally smooth, but may be textured, configured, or otherwise non-smooth, if desired. As an example, the inner surface or wall of the first and second seats or lower opening areas 21, 23 of the first and second bores 18, 20 of the plate 12a of FIG. 3, has threads 82, 84 around its circumference. Other formations may be used.

[0025] The plate body 16 has a general arch or curvature with a threaded bore 25 in a mid-section or portion of the plate body 16 to accept necessary tools and/or instruments for insertion, placement and manipulation of the plate during surgical installation/implantation. Other configurations may be used. The bone screw bores 18, 20 has a rim 72, 73 that is preferably, but not necessarily, raised relative to other plate portions as shown. The openings of the bone screw bores may be rimless or flush.

[0026] Each bone screw 13 is characterized by a rounded, spherical, or dome-shaped head 30 having a socket 31 in a top or upper surface 35 thereof. The socket 31 is configured in a star or hexagonal pattern for receipt of a like instrument or tool (not shown) for driving/installing the bone screw 13. Other configurations may be used and are contemplated. The bone screw 13 has a shank or shaft 28 with external threads/threading configured to drive into (be received by) a vertebral body (vertebra). The shank 28 terminates in a preferably, but not necessarily, pointed distal tip 29.

[0027] The shape of the head 30 defines an upper area or circumference 81, and a lower area or circumference 83. At least a portion of the outer circumference of the head 30 is preferably, but not necessarily, configured with one or more features or formations that aid in limiting, inhibiting and/or preventing rotation of the bone screw 13 relative to the spine plate 12 once the bone screw 13 has been installed. The features and/or formations do not need to extend the entire circumferential area of the head 30. Any such features and/or formations may extend about one or more portions or areas of one or more portions or areas of the circumference. Other patterns or areas may be used as desired.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts one type of anti-rotation feature/formation(s)/configuration 13a for the bone screw head 30. The head 30 of the bone screw 13a has serrations or the like 32 about at least a portion of its peripheral surface. It should be appreciated that the number, size and/or spacing of the serrations 32 may be changed as desired. The formation(s) may also aid in fixing bone screw angulation and/or orientation.

[0029] FIG. 5 depicts another type of anti-rotation feature/formation(s)/configuration 13b for the bone screw head 30. The head 30 of the bone screw 13b has knurling 33 about at least a portion of its peripheral surface. It should be appreciated that the number, size and/or spacing of the knurling 33 may be changed as desired. The formation(s) may also aid in fixing bone screw angulation and/or orientation.

[0030] FIG. 6 depicts another type of anti-rotation feature/formation(s)/configuration 13c for the bone screw head 30. The head 30 of the bone screw 13c has a helical cutout 34 about at least a portion of its peripheral surface. It should be appreciated that the number, size and/or spacing of the helical cutout 34 may be changed as desired. Other types of anti-rotation features/configurations may be used and are contemplated such as, but not limited to, threads. The formation(s) may also aid in fixing bone screw angulation and/or orientation.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 7, a setscrew 14 is shown in sectional. Each setscrew 14 is preferably, but not necessarily, identical, and is characterized by a generally cylindrical body 38 with a generally flat upper or top surface 39 and a generally flat lower or bottom surface 41. The outer circumferential surface of the body 38 has external threads/threading 44 configured to mate with the internal threads/threading 22, 24 of the bone screw pockets 18, 20. The peripheral edge 45 of the upper surface 39 is preferably, but not necessarily, downwardly angled, slanted, or beveled. In like manner, the peripheral edge 42 of the lower surface is preferably, but not necessarily, upwardly angled, slanted or beveled.

[0032] The setscrew body 38 further has a bore 40 that extends axially through the body 38 from the upper surface 39 to the lower surface 41 and thus defines an upper opening 91 and a lower opening 90, the lower opening 90 configured as a rounded, spherical, or dome-shaped pocket in a complementary manner to the dome/spherical shape of the bone screw head 30. The pocket 90 has threads, serrations, or otherwise 43 about its inner circumference and along its axial length. The threads, serrations or otherwise 43 of the pocket 90 and the serrations/knurling/threads/helical cutout configuration(s) of the bone screw head 30 engage one another to seize, bind or capture the bone screw head 30 in order to fix the position/orientation of the bone screw 13 when the setscrew 14 is received into the bone screw pocket of the plate 12 and compresses against the bone screw head 30.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an assembled spine plate implant 10 with the two bone screws 13 and the two setscrews 14 received in the bone screw pockets 21, 23 of the bone screw bores 18, 20 of the respective bosses 17, 19 of the plate 12a. The setscrews 14 have compressed against the bone screw heads 30 fixing their position/orientation relative to the spine plate 12. In FIG. 3, the bone screws are shown fixed into a transverse or 90 degree position/orientation relative to the spine plate 12a. Of course, the bone screws 30 may be fixed into other positions/orientations as necessary. Other spine plates 12 may be used.

[0034] It should be appreciated that dimensions of the formations, structures, and/or features of the present lateral spine plate implant and/or its components may be altered as desired within the scope of the present disclosure.