Expanded fixation of bones

Abstract

System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for expanded bone fixation with bone plates.

1 . A device for expanded fixation of a bone, comprising: 
 a bone plate shaped to fit onto a bone such that the bone plate extends generally longitudinally along the bone, the bone plate defining a footprint on the bone and including a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners that secure the bone plate to the bone; and    a plate member configured to be coupled to the bone plate such that the plate member extends partway around the bone from the bone plate at least to a position adjacent a surface region on the bone that is oblique or perpendicular to the footprint.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bone plate is shaped to fit onto a proximal portion of a humerus bone.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the bone plate is configured to be secured adjacent a lateral surface of the humerus bone and to extend at least to a position adjacent an anterior surface region of the humerus bone, and wherein the anterior surface region is at least substantially perpendicular to the footprint.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plate member includes an overlapping region that overlaps the bone plate and an extension region that extends away from the bone plate, and wherein the extension region includes at least one opening for receiving a fastener that secures the extension region to the bone outside the footprint.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plate member is contoured such that the plate member extends over soft tissue in a spaced relation to the bone.  
   
   
       6 . A device for expanded fixation of a bone, comprising: 
 a bone plate shaped to fit onto a bone to define a footprint on the bone and including a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners that secure the bone plate to the bone; and    a plate member configured to be coupled to the bone plate such that an overlapping region of the plate member overlaps the bone plate and an extension region of the plate member extends away from the bone plate to a position adjacent a surface region of the bone that is spaced from the footprint,    wherein the extension region is contoured to extend over soft tissue in a spaced relation to the bone.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the bone plate is shaped to fit onto a proximal portion of a humerus bone.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the bone plate is configured to be secured to a lateral surface of the humerus bone, and wherein the plate member extends at least to a position adjacent an anterior surface region of the humerus bone.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the extension region includes at least one opening for receiving a fastener that secures the extension region to the bone outside the footprint.  
   
   
       10 . A device for expanded fixation of a humerus bone, comprising: 
 a bone plate shaped to fit onto a proximal portion of a humerus bone to define a footprint on the humerus bone and including a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners that secure the bone plate to the humerus bone; and    a plate member configured to be coupled to the bone plate and including a connective feature that permits the plate member to be secured to the humerus bone outside the footprint.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the bone plate is configured to be secured adjacent a lateral surface of the humerus bone, and wherein the plate member is configured to be secured the humerus bone adjacent an anterior surface region of the humerus bone.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plate member includes an overlapping region that overlaps the bone plate and an extension region that extends from the bone plate, and wherein the extension region is contoured to extend over a biceps tendon.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plate member includes an inner surface and at least one projection extending from the inner surface and configured to be received in one or more of the plurality of openings of the bone plate when the plate member is coupled to the bone plate.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plate member includes generally opposing end regions, and wherein each of the opposing end regions defines one or more apertures.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the bone plate is configured to be disposed substantially axially on the humerus bone, and wherein the plate member is configured to extend from the bone plate partway around the humerus bone.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 10 , the humerus bone having a lesser tuberosity and a greater tuberosity, the plate member being elongate with first and second end regions, wherein the first end region is configured to overlap the bone plate adjacent the greater tuberosity, and wherein the second end region is configured to be disposed is a spaced relation to the bone plate adjacent the lesser tuberosity.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the bone plate includes an outer surface, and wherein the plate member is configured to abut the outer surface when coupled to the bone plate.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the bone plate defines a long axis, and wherein the plate member is configured to extend substantially transverse to the long axis when coupled to the bone plate, at least near a point of contact or closest approach between the bone plate and the plate member.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 10 , the bone plate defining a plane, wherein the plate member, when coupled to the bone plate, extends generally parallel to the plane at a position adjacent the bone plate and generally transverse to the plane at a position spaced from the bone plate.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein each of the bone plate and the plate member is formed of a biocompatible material.