IMPROVED PROSTHESIS FOR OSTEOSYNTHESIS

Abstract

The present invention concerns a prosthesis for osteosynthesis (1) of a bone segment, in particular humerus (O), comprising at least one anchoring element (2), supporting means (3), coupled to the bone tissue of said bone segment (O), and positioning means (4) of said supporting means (3) with respect to said anchoring element (2).

Claims

1. A Prosthesis for osteosynthesis of a bone segment, in particular humerus, comprising at least one anchoring element, having an internal cavity, supporting means, coupled to the bone tissue of said bone segment, and positioning means of said supporting means with respect to said anchoring element, (2), said positioning means comprise one or more threaded screws, wherein said at least one anchoring element has the shape of a polyhedron having two triangle-shaped bases, wherein said at least one anchoring element has one or more surfaces openings or holes, communicating with said internal cavity, said supporting means comprise a plate, substantially Y shaped or bat wings shaped, with two upper ends, said plate being provided with a plurality of threaded holes and being positionable on the side surface of said bone segment, said one or more threaded screws are insertable into the holes of said plate, engaging with said holes by the respective thread or by fixing, at least one of said threaded screws inserting through said surface passage holes, by entering into said internal cavity and said plate comprises one or more anchoring hooks on each of said upper ends.

2-4. (canceled)

5. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, in that wherein said bases are isosceles triangle shaped, said bases having a vertex angle () and a pair of equal angles (), said bases having a plurality of oval holes, and in that said polyhedron has: two side edges, corresponding to said equal angles () of said bases; an vertex edge corresponding to said vertex angle (), lower than said two side edges; two side surfaces each one bounded by said vertex edge (23) and by a respective side edge (23), said side surfaces having at least one passage hole (21), preferably having an oval form; and a side surface, corresponding to the side of said base opposite to said vertex angle (), bounded by said side edges, said side surface being open.

6. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to 1, wherein said bases are equal and/or said vertex angle () is greater than 90.

7. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein said anchoring element is made of titanium and/or resorbable material and/or inert material and/or fabric resulting from treated bone.

8.-9 (canceled)

10. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, wherein said plate is made of deformable material, so that it can adapt to the surface of said bone segment, even in the installation phase, such as malleable titanium, or the like.

11. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprise a stem, inserted in said bone segment, in order to be placed through said anchoring element within said cavity, said stem having one or more grooves on the side surface and a fixing threaded hole, arranged at one end, and a removable fixing structure, comprising an invertedL shaped element, having a first side and second side arranged at about 90, said first side having a plurality of guiding side through holes and an through upper hole, said fixing structure being positionable so that said first side is arranged parallel to said bone segment, and wherein said fixing means comprise one or more threaded screws insertable through said guiding side holes, so that they arrange in said grooves, appropriately oriented, and a further screw, inserted in said upper hole, so as to engage with said fixing threaded hole of said stem.

12. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprise at least one rigid guide having a first and a second end and insertable through the lateral surface of said bone segment, and a flange fixed to said first end, said at least one rigid guide being insertable in the bone tissue, so that said second end is inserted through at least one of said passage holes of said anchoring element, so that at least one portion said at least one rigid guide is arranged in said internal cavity, and said positioning means comprise at least one threaded screw, engageable by screwing with said flange and with the bone tissue of said bone segment.

13. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 12, wherein said at least one rigid guide has a curved shape.

14. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to anyone of claim 12, wherein said at least one rigid guide has an internal channel, provided with an inlet hole and an outlet hole.

15. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 14, wherein said at least one rigid guide comprises a valve.

16. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 12, characterized in that said rigid guide has an open lateral portion.

17. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprise a stem, insertable into a channel of said diaphyseal bone segment and inserted and arranged through said anchoring element within said cavity, and said positioning means comprise at least one hook arranged at one end of said stem, said hook being intended to couple with said anchoring element.

18. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 17, wherein said at least one hook is coupled in a removable way by said stem.

19. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 17, wherein said prosthesis for osteosynthesis comprises a guide wire, made of metal or deformable material, insertable through said stem and said anchoring element, so as to approach said stem to said anchoring element.

20. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to claim 1, wherein said prosthesis for osteosynthesis comprises a prosthetic structure, in its turn comprising a further stem, insertable within said bone segment, in particular within the diaphysis of the humerus, having an upper fastening pin and an interlocking or threaded cavity and, on the side surface, a plurality of longitudinal reliefs, insertable within the bone tissue of said bone segment, a cup or head, intended to be arranged on the proximal epiphysis of said bone segment and comprising a coupling ring provided with a rotatably adjustable seat, and a body, for connecting said further rod and said hood or head, said body comprising an upper portion, capable of coupling with said seat of said coupling ring of said hood or head, and a lower portion, oriented at an opening angle () with respect to said upper portion and forming with it a shaped profile having a recess, in which said anchoring element is intended to be inserted, the lower end of said lower portion being provided with a coupling, in which said fastening pin of said stem is insertable and can be coupled in a removable way, said supporting means, being removably coupled with said interlocking or threaded cavity.

Description

[0039] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to the present invention applied to a humerus;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an anchoring element of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the anchoring element of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to FIG. 2;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a set of anchoring elements according to FIG. 2;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a plate of the anchoring element of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a prosthesys for osteosynthesis according to the present invention applied to a humerus;

[0046] FIG. 7 shows the support means of the prosthesis according to FIG. 6;

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the fixing structure of the support means according to FIG. 7;

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of a prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to the present invention applied to a humerus;

[0049] FIG. 10 shows the rigid guides of the prosthesis of FIG. 9;

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of a prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to the present invention applied to a humerus;

[0051] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a stem of the prosthesis of FIG. 11;

[0052] FIG. 13 shows the prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to FIG. 11 in combination with a prosthetic structure;

[0053] FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of the prosthetic structure of FIG. 13;

[0054] FIG. 15 shows the cross section of a further stem of the prosthetic structure according to FIG. 13; is

[0055] FIG. 16 shows the longitudinal section of a hood or head of the prosthetic structure according to FIG. 13.

[0056] In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, it is seen a first embodiment of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis according to the present invention, indicated by the reference number 1, which mainly includes an anchoring element 2, a support means 3 and positioning means 4, for maintaining said supporting means 3 in a suitable relative position with respect to said anchoring element 2.

[0058] In particular, the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 is applied to a humerus O, which, as it is known, is constituted by a body C, or diaphysis, and two ends, called epiphysis (proximal and distal). The proximal epiphysis P, shown in FIG. 1, articulates with the scapula, forming the shoulder joint, while the distal epiphysis (not shown in the figures) articulates with the two forearm bones, the radius and the ulna (not shown in the figures).

[0059] It should in any case be considered that the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the invention, is applicable to any bone segment.

[0060] The prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 applies between the proximal epiphysis P and the body C of the humerus O.

[0061] In particular, as it can be seen, the anchoring element 2 is internally hollow and has the shape of a polyhedron.

[0062] On the surfaces of said polyhedron, the anchoring element 2 has a plurality of openings or through holes 21, communicating with the internal cavity. The surfaces of said polyhedron identify, therefore, an internal cavity 24. Said through holes 21 have different sizes.

[0063] As it can be also observed in FIG. 4, said anchoring element 2 can have different sizes, to suit the different sizes of the humerus O (or of the bone segment in general) which is applied to. In particular, there are different types of measures such as 2013 mm, 2012 mm, 2311 mm, 2313, 2511 mm, 2513 mm, 2811 mm, 2813 mm, 3011 mm and 3013 mm.

[0064] In the present case the polyhedron has the bases 22 equal, shaping an isosceles triangle with vertex angle, in this case, a greater than 90. The edges 23, corresponding to the equal angles of the bases 22 of the isosceles triangle, are of greater length of the edge 23 corresponding to said vertex angle .

[0065] The two lateral surfaces 25 of the anchoring element 2 corresponding to the equal sides of the isosceles triangle with base 22, have a passage hole 21, having an oval shape. The surfaces of the bases 22 have a plurality of oval holes 21 (in the case shown, six), of smaller dimensions of said oval hole 21 and circular in shape. The lateral surface 26 of the anchoring element 2, corresponding to the side of said base 22, opposite to said angle , is opened, but it could be also perforated.

[0066] The anchoring element 2 can also be realized in different ways, for example by means of bars welded together. Furthermore, the anchoring element 2 may have several possible shapes, according to the opportunity and the bone district in which it is applied to.

[0067] Furthermore, the anchoring element 2 can be made of different materials, such as, in particular, titanium, absorbable material or inert material.

[0068] Said anchoring element 2, due to its shape and variable sizes, is adaptable to various types of fractures, e.g. those in two parts or four parts of the humeral head P, for the synthesis and reconstruction.

[0069] The prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the invention can be applied alone or in combination with other systems, also belonging to the prior art.

[0070] The support means 3 in the present embodiment comprise a plate 31, being substantially Y or bat wings shaped, at the ends of the upper wings anchoring hooks 311 are obtained. Said plate 31 may also include a plurality of hooks 311.

[0071] Said plate 31 is provided on the surface of a plurality of threaded holes 312, whose function will be better explained in the following.

[0072] The positioning means 4, in this embodiment, are constituted by threaded screws 41.

[0073] The prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 provides that the anchoring element 2 is intended to be inserted in the proximal epiphysis P, under the head of the humerus O, while the plate 31 is arranged on the side surface of the humerus O, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0074] Some of the threaded screws 41 are inserted, by means of a suitable tool U, in the holes 312 of the plate 31, engaging with said holes 312, by means of the respective thread with the bone tissue of the humerus O, thus anchoring the threaded screw 41 and, with it, the plaque to parts not fractured of the humerus O. Where appropriate, in a possible embodiment, the plate may not be threaded and the head of the threaded screw 41 corresponding is fixed to the same.

[0075] Other threaded screws 41, however, in addition to engage by means of the thread with the holes 312 of the plate 3, are inserted through the passage holes 21 of the anchoring element 2.

[0076] The anchoring element 2, being hollow, allows the vascularization of the internal cavity 24, so that the same can be filled with bone tissue, staring further threaded screws 41.

[0077] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the present invention.

[0078] In this case, the support means 3 comprise a stem 32 and a fixing structure 33 of said rod 32. Said rod 32 is insertable in a diaphyseal channel hollowed by the surgeon in the body of the humerus O and has grooves 321 on the side surface (which function will be better defined in the following), as well as a fixing threaded hole 322 at one end.

[0079] The fixing structure 33 comprises an inverted L shaped outer element, having a first side and a second side, arranged approximately at 90. Said fixing structure 33 has a plurality of guiding side holes 331 on said first side and a upper fixing hole 332 at the free end of said second side. Said guiding holes 331 are dimensioned so that the screws 41 can pass through them.

[0080] The stem 32 is insertable along the body C of the humerus O, through the proximal epiphysis P, and passes through said anchoring element 2.

[0081] To guide the surgeon in inserting screws and in the orientation of the stem 32, the long side of the fixing structure 33 is arranged parallel to the humerus O, externally to the arm, during the surgical intervention. Said fixing structure is fixed to said rod 32 by a screw 41 passing through said upper fixing hole 332 and engages by screwing with said threaded fixing hole 322. In this way, the piston rod 32 and the structure 33 are rigidly fixed each other, according to a predetermined position.

[0082] Subsequently, one or more screws 41 are inserted, by means of a tool U, through said guiding side holes 331, so that they arrange in said grooves 321, suitably oriented so that said screws 41 fix in the bone tissue, both externally and internally of the anchoring element 2, i.e. in the internal cavity 24.

[0083] Once said screws 41 are inserted, by unscrewing the screw 41 fixed to the threaded fixing hole 322, the stem 32, it is possible to remove the structure 33.

[0084] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the present invention.

[0085] In this case, the support means 3 comprise one or more rigid guides 34, having a curved shape and are provided with solid inner channel, having an inlet hole 341 and an outlet hole 342. Said rigid guides 34 include a flange 343, with which a threaded screw 41 can engage. The prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 may also include rigid guides 34, which provide a lateral opened portion.

[0086] Said rigid guides 34 or 34, provided with internal channel, include, e.g. in correspondence to the end 341, a valve, possibly, capable of facilitating the injection, of biological material or medicine (e.g. door type valves) repeated over time.

[0087] When the anchoring element 2 is inserted in the proximal epiphysis P, under the head of the humerus O, said rigid guides 34 or 34 can be inserted through the lateral surface of the body C of the humerus O, so as to fit in the anchoring element 2.

[0088] Said rigid guides 34 or 34 can be fixed to the humerus O by means of a screw 41, which fits through the flange 343, engaging with the bone tissue of the body C of the humerus O.

[0089] Through the channel of said rigid guides 34 curative substances and/or bone cement, if necessary, can be injected inside the bone tissue and the anchoring element 2.

[0090] In addition, at the end of said guides 34 or 34 provided with the inner channel, valves may be provided for, capable of facilitating the injection, repeated over time, of biological material or medicine (e.g. door type valves).

[0091] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a third embodiment of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the present invention. In this case, the support means 3 comprise a stem 35, insertable in a diaphyseal channel hollowed by the surgeon in the body of the humerus O.

[0092] Said positioning means 4 comprising a parrot's beak hook 42, intended to couple with said anchoring element 2, when the latter is inserted in the proximal epiphysis P, under the head of the humerus O and said stem 35 is inserted and arranged through said anchoring element 2.

[0093] Said hook 42 may also be separable and can be coupled with said stem 35. In this way, said hook 42 can be coupled with the stem 35 and can be decoupled from it and extracted with a specific mechanism, after the insertion of said stem 35.

[0094] In order to facilitate the coupling between said stem 35 and said anchoring element 2, it is also possible to use a wire made of metal (or other material), which, from the axis of the stem 35, passing through the anchoring element, allows the surgeon to approach said anchoring element and said stem 35 along the correct trajectory that leads to the insertion of the stem 35 itself in the correct housing at the base of the anchoring element 2.

[0095] Said stem 35 can be made of semi-elastic material, also of resorbable type, e.g. triphosphate calcium, a material commercially called PIC, etc.

[0096] The prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the present invention may also include additional elements, which improve the osteosynthesis.

[0097] In particular, in FIGS. 13-16 it is shown the installation of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 in combination with a prosthetic structure 5, having a further rod 51, a hood or head 52 and a body 53.

[0098] Said further rod 51 is inserted within the body C or the diaphysis of the humerus O and has, superiorly, a fixing pin 511 and a interlocking or threaded cavity 513; and, on the lateral surface, a plurality of longitudinal reliefs 512, insertable in the bone tissue for a better fixing of the stem 51 itself.

[0099] Said hood or head 52, possibly has a concavity, adapted to contain at least partly the bone tissue of the proximal epiphysis P or of the humerus O. Said hood or head 52 also has a coupling ring 521 provided with a seat 522, which function will be better described in the following, and rotatably adjustable according to arrow A.

[0100] The body 53 connects said further stem 51 and said hood or head 52. Said body 53 comprises an upper portion 531, capable of coupling with said seat 522 of said coupling ring 521 of said hood or head 52, and a lower portion 532, oriented at an angle with respect to said upper portion 531 and forming with it a shaped profile having a recess 533. At the lower end of said lower portion 532 is provided a coupling 534, in which said fixing pin 511 of said stem 51 is insertable and removably couple able.

[0101] As it can be seen, when the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 is installed together with said prosthetic system 5, considering said fourth embodiment, the lower end of the stem 35 of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 is get stuck or coupled by screwing to said interlocking or threaded cavity 513, so that the anchoring element 2 arranges, at least partially, within the recess 533. In addition, it is observed that the best fit of the prosthetic system 5 to the human humerus O provides that the opening angle is comprised preferably between 125 and 135.

[0102] It is considered that the present prosthetic structure 5 is also applicable with other embodiments of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 described above.

[0103] An advantage of the prosthesis for osteosynthesis 1 according to the present invention is that the system allows the regrowth of bone tissue within the anchoring element 2.

[0104] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.