DEVICE FOR AND METHOD OF TREATING ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT DISLOCATIONS

Abstract

A device that allows for the predictable/guided anatomic drilling of clavicular tunnels for graft, suture, or combined graft/suture reconstruction of the AC joint is provided. The device simultaneously allows for larger clavicle tunnels which permit graft passage while providing protection, via stress shielding, of the bone between and adjacent to the bone tunnels. In this way, the surgeon is able to utilize anatomically placed clavicular tunnels large enough for graft passage (which reduces the mechanical failure rate of the reconstruction and most closely replicates normal anatomy) while reducing the risk of clavicle fracture, which has plagued other “anatomic reconstruction” techniques.

Claims

1. A clavicle plate for reinforcing a clavicle of a patient, the plate comprising: a main body having opposed first and second portions extending from opposed ends of a third portion; a positioning feature that is configured to assist with placement of said main body with respect to a clavicle of a patient; and first and second fastening means for securing respective first and second portions of said main body to respective first and second portions of the clavicle, wherein the third portion of said main body extends over a third portion of the clavicle.

2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the first and second fastening means comprise respective first and second screw holes defined by respective first and second portions of said main body, said first and second screw holes being configured to receive respective screws having a diameter between 3.5 mm and 4.0 mm.

3. The plate of claim 1, wherein said main body defines first and second apertures associated with anatomical locations of respective first and second ligaments of the patient, the first and second apertures being configured to assist with repairing respective first and second ligaments.

4. The plate of claim 3, wherein the first ligament is a Conoid Ligament and the second ligament is a Trapezoid Ligament and wherein said first and second apertures are defined by said third portion of said main body.

5. The plate of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second apertures is configured to interface with a drill guide for assisting with drilling respective first and second bone tunnels through the clavicle.

6. The plate of claim 3, further comprising a first button that is configured to interface with said first aperture, said first button being moveable between a seated configuration and an unseated configuration relative to said first aperture, wherein said first aperture and said first button define corresponding interface features.

7. The plate of claim 6, wherein said corresponding interface features include tapered walls such that said first aperture defines opposed top and bottom openings, said top opening being larger than said bottom opening.

8. The plate of claim 6, wherein said corresponding interface features include a non-circular shape such that said first button is prevented from rotating relative to the plate while the first button is in the seated configuration.

9. The plate of claim 8, wherein said first button is moved to the seated configuration by moving said first button in a first direction towards the clavicle and wherein said corresponding interface features include tapered walls such that movement of said first button in the first direction is limited to movement of said first button to the seated configuration.

10. A clavicle plate for reinforcing a clavicle of a patient, the plate comprising a main body defining first and second apertures associated with anatomical locations of respective first and second ligaments of the patient; a first fixation feature positioned anterior to said first aperture, said first fixation feature being configured so as to facilitate securing a first suture to said main body; and a second fixation feature positioned posterior to said second aperture, said second fixation feature being configured so as to facilitate securing a second suture to said main body.

11. The plate of claim 13, wherein the first ligament is a Conoid Ligament and the second ligament is a Trapezoid Ligament.

12. The plate of claim 13, further comprising a first button that is configured to interface with said first aperture, said first button being moveable between a seated configuration and an unseated configuration relative to said main body, wherein said first aperture and said first button define corresponding interface features.

13. The plate of claim 13, wherein said corresponding interface features include tapered walls such that said first aperture defines opposed top and bottom openings, said top opening being larger than said bottom opening.

14. The plate of claim 1, wherein said corresponding interface features include a non-circular shape such that said first button is prevented from rotating relative to the plate while the first button is in the seated configuration.

15. The plate of claim 12, wherein said first button is moved to the seated configuration by moving said first button in a first direction towards the clavicle and wherein said corresponding interface features include tapered walls such that movement of said first button in the first direction is limited to movement of said first button to the seated configuration.

16. A method of treating acromioclavicular joint dislocations, the method comprising: positioning a main body of a plate relative to a clavicle of a patient; securing a first portion of the main body to a first portion of the clavicle; and securing a second portion of the main body to a second portion of the clavicle, wherein a third portion of the main body extending between the first and second portions of the main body extends over a third portion of the clavicle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising drilling first and second bone tunnels through the clavicle, the main body defining respective first and second apertures that are configured to interface with a drill guide for assisting with the drilling step.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising securing a first suture to a first fixation feature associated with the main body, the first fixation feature being displaced from the first and second apertures.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing a first suture to a first button, the first button and the main body defining corresponding interface features such that the first button is moveable to a seated configuration with respect to the main body.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising securing a second suture to a first fixation feature associated with the main body, the first fixation feature being displaced from the first button.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a clavicle plate of the present invention showing different lengths in dashed lines.

[0020] FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of a tapered button of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of a tapered button of FIG. 2A.

[0022] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of a drill guide that is configured to be used with the clavicle plate of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2D is a bottom plan view of the drill guide of FIG. 2C.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a visual representation of a clavicle plate of the present invention being affixed to a clavicle of a patient and anchored to a coracoid of the patient.

[0025] FIG. 3B is a visual representation of a clavicle plate of the present invention being affixed to a clavicle of a patient, FIG. 3B further showing a tendon extending from the clavicle plate and wrapping around a coracoid of the patient, the tendon being secured to buttons associated with the clavicle plate.

[0026] FIG. 3C is a visual representation of a clavicle plate of the present invention being affixed to a clavicle of a patient, FIG. 3C further showing a tendon wrapping around the clavicle plate and a coracoid of the patient and a suture extending from the clavicle plate and wrapping around the coracoid, the tendon extending through first and second apertures of the plat and the ends of the suture extending into small apertures of the plate.

[0027] FIG. 3D is a visual representation of a clavicle plate of the present invention being affixed to a clavicle of a patient, FIG. 3D further showing a suture extending from the clavicle plate and wrapping around a coracoid of the patient, first and second ends of the suture extending into respective first and second apertures of the clavicle plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A, some embodiments of the clavicle plate 10 include a main body 110 defining first 112 and second 114 fastening features, such as screw holes or the like, for securing the plate to a clavicle 20 of a patient. In some such embodiments, the first and second fastening features are configured to receive or otherwise engage with respective first 12 and second 14 fastening devices, such as locking or non-locking screws, for clavicular fixation. In some embodiments, each fastening device is a fastening screw having a diameter ranging from 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening features are defined by respective first portion 160 and second portion 170 of the main body. In some embodiments, first portion 160 and second portion 170 of the main body extend from opposed ends of a third portion 180 of the main body. In some embodiments, each of the first and second portions is configured to be secured to respective first and second regions of a clavicle such that the third portion 180 of the main body spans a third region of the clavicle. In this way, the main body of the clavicle plate is configured to replace loss of structural integrity of the clavicle, such as through a break, a reduction of material (such as through the creation of one or more bone tunnel), or other reduction of structural integrity of the clavicle.

[0030] In some embodiments, the main body defines first 120 and second 140 apertures. In some embodiments, each of the first and second apertures is associated with an anatomical location of a ligament of the patient. In some embodiments, the first and second apertures of the clavicle plate are each defined by the third portion of the main body.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first and second apertures are configured for facilitating the creation of bone tunnels and/or otherwise facilitating graft/suture passage through one or more bone tunnel. In some embodiments, the first and second apertures are configured to interface with appropriate sized drill guides 25, thereby assisting the user in creation of respective first and second bone tunnels through the clavicle. In some such embodiments, the drill guide(s) and the first and/or second apertures include corresponding interface features for positioning and orienting the drill guide(s) relative to the clavicle, thereby facilitating the positioning and vectoring of the bone tunnels. In some embodiments, the main body is configured to interface with a plurality of drill guides and/or other devices now know or later developed, such as by way of the first and/or second aperture or otherwise.

[0032] In some embodiments, the main body defines one or more fixation feature 115 for selective engagement with one or more fixation device 15, such as sutures utilized in repair of surrounding soft tissue, thereby providing potential fixation points for such fixation devices. In some such embodiments, one or more fixation feature comprises one or more small aperture.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first aperture is associated with a conoid ligament of the patient. In some such embodiments, a second fixation feature is positioned anterior to the first aperture.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second aperture is associated with a trapezoid ligament of the patient. In some such embodiments, a first fixation feature is positioned posterior to the second aperture. In some embodiments, the first 120 and/or second 140 apertures are configured to receive a button 250. In some embodiments, the button and the first and/or second apertures include corresponding interface features. In some such embodiments, walls of the first and/or second aperture are tapered inward so as to define a bottom opening that is smaller than an opposed top opening. In some such embodiments, the button defines corresponding tapered side walls such that the button is capable of being moved in and out of the first and/or second aperture through the top opening but is incapable of passing through the bottom opening. In this way, the button is moveable to a seated configuration by moving the button in a first direction relative to the main body of the plate until the corresponding interface features prevents the button from moving any further. In some embodiments, the button and main body are configured such that biasing the button in a first direction while the first button is in a seated configuration prevents or otherwise inhibits the first button from moving away from a seated configuration. In some embodiments, moving the first button in a second direction causes the first button to move from the seated configuration to an unseated configuration.

[0035] In some embodiments, the button 250 defines one or more engagement feature 252 so that it is capable of being utilized for graft/suture placement. In some such embodiments, the one or more engagement feature 252 is a hole or pattern of holes, such as a pattern of four holes. In some embodiments, the button is configured such that a top surface of the button is flush with a top surface of the main body when the button is seated in the first and/or second aperture. In some embodiments, first and second buttons are associated with respective first and second apertures.

[0036] In some embodiments, the button is configured so as to allow a user to secure one or more attachment member 50 to the main body. In some embodiments, the attachment member 50 can be sutures used for fixation and/or sutures sewn into tendon graft ends. In some embodiments, one or more attachment member 50 obviates any requirements for interference screw placement.

[0037] In some embodiments, the button is configured so as to facilitate coupling one or more attachment member 50 to the button, such as to an under surface of the button. In some embodiments, drilling larger clavicle tunnels to can be avoided by passing attachment members, such as sutures, from inferior to superior. In some such embodiments, the present invention enables the risk of clavicle fracture to be reduced by allowing for slightly smaller holes to be drilled if desired.

[0038] The present invention further includes a method of treating AC joint dislocations and other injuries associated with the clavicle by drilling bone tunnels through a third region of a clavicle of a patient, the third region of the clavicle being positioned between opposed first and second regions of the clavicle. In some embodiments, the method includes utilizing one or more positioning feature 150 of the clavicle plate 10 of the present invention to position the clavicle plate 10 relative to the clavicle 20. In some embodiments, the method further includes securing first and second portions of the clavicle plate to respective first and second regions of the clavicle such that a third portion of the clavicle plate, extending between the first and second portions of the clavicle plate, extends over the third region of the clavicle. In this way, the clavicle plate provides structural support to the clavicle, thereby reducing risk of fracture associated with drilling bone tunnels through the third region of the clavicle. In some embodiments, the method includes securing to the clavicle plate sutures used for fixation and/or sutures sewn into tendon graft ends. In some such embodiments, buttons associated with first and/or second apertures of the clavicle plate are utilized to assist with anchoring, wrapping, and/or grafting. In some embodiments, one or more fixation feature 115, such as a small aperture, is utilized to receive one or more fixation device 15, such as a suture. In some embodiments, a first and/or second aperture is utilized without a button to assist with anchoring, wrapping, and/or grafting.

[0039] The present invention further includes a method of treating clavicle fractures and other injuries associated with the clavicle by securing first and second portions of a clavicle plate of the present invention to respective first and second regions of the clavicle such that a third portion of the clavicle plate, extending between the first and second portions of the clavicle plate, extends over the fracture. In this way, the clavicle plate provides structural support to the clavicle, thereby allowing the clavicle to heal.

[0040] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

[0041] Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0042] Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

[0043] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.