Volar fixation system

Abstract

A volar fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone. The plate includes threaded holes for receiving fasteners which lock relative to the plate.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A volar fixation plate, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid plate including a distal head portion and a proximal body portion angled relative to said head portion, 
 said head portion defining at least three threaded holes of a same diameter adapted to individually receive fixation pegs therethrough, said threaded holes linearly arranged in a generally medial to lateral direction wherein successive lateral threaded holes are situated distally relative to adjacent threaded holes, and said threaded holes define a plurality of axes at least two of which are oblique relative to each other, and  
 said body portion including at least one screw hole.  
   
     
     
         22 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 said threaded holes define a plurality of axes at least two of which are oblique relative to each other.    
     
     
         23 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 each of said at least two axes is oblique in two dimensions relative to another of said at least two axes.    
     
     
         24 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 said head portion and said body portion are provided in a substantially T-shaped configuration relative to each other, with said body portion intersecting said head portion.    
     
     
         25 . A volar fixation plate, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid plate including a distal head portion and a proximal body portion angled relative to said head portion, said plate dimensioned for implantation at the distal volar radius,    said body portion including at least one screw hole, and    said head portion including at least three threaded holes of common diameter linearly arranged in a generally medial to lateral direction substantially transverse to said body portion, wherein successive lateral threaded holes are situated distally relative to adjacent threaded holes, a plurality of said threaded holes being obliquely oriented relative to said bone contacting surface of said head portion.    
     
     
         26 . A volar fixation plate, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid plate including a distal head portion and a proximal body portion angled relative to said head portion, said plate dimensioned for implantation at the distal volar radius,    said body portion including at least one screw hole, and    said head portion having a bone contacting surface and including at least a three threaded holes of a common diameter linearly arranged in a generally medial to lateral direction substantially transverse to said body portion, said threaded holes defining at least two axes which diverge relative to each other from said bone contacting surface.    
     
     
         27 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 all of said axes diverge relative to each other.    
     
     
         28 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 successive lateral threaded holes are situated distally relative to adjacent threaded holes.    
     
     
         29 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 at least two of said axes are oblique in two dimensions relative to each other.    
     
     
         30 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 at least three of said axes are oblique in two dimensions relative to each other.    
     
     
         31 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 said plate includes four threaded holes, and said axes through said four holes are oblique in two dimensions relative to each other.    
     
     
         32 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , in combination with: 
 at least one fastener having a threaded head portion adapted to be engaged in a threaded hole of said head portion, and a shaft portion sized to be received through said threaded hole and extend along said axis of said threaded hole.    
     
     
         33 . The combination of  claim 32 , further in combination with: 
 at least one screw adapted to be received in said at least one screw hole.    
     
     
         34 . The combination of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said at least one screw is a self-tapping screw.    
     
     
         35 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a first of said plurality of threaded holes defines a first axis of said plurality of axes, and    another axis through one of said holes is angled approximately 10-30° distal and 10-30° lateral relative to the first axis.    
     
     
         36 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said threaded holes are in a linear arrangement, and said first and another axes are at opposite ends of said linear arrangement.    
     
     
         37 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a first of said plurality of threaded holes defines a first axis of said plurality of axes directed substantially normal to said bone contacting surface,    a second of said plurality of threaded holes defines a second axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 1-7° distal and 1-7° lateral relative to the first axis,    a third of said plurality of threaded holes defines a third axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 7-13° distal and 7-13° lateral relative to the first axis, and    a fourth of said plurality of threaded holes defines a fourth axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 10-30° distal and 10-30° lateral relative to the first axis.    
     
     
         38 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a first of said plurality of threaded holes defines a first axis of said plurality of axes directed substantially normal to said bone contacting surface,    a second of said plurality of threaded holes defines a second axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 2.5° distal and 2.5° lateral relative to the first axis,    a third of said plurality of threaded holes defines a third axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 10° distal and 10° lateral relative to the first axis, and    a fourth of said plurality of threaded holes defines a fourth axis of said plurality of axes angled approximately 20° distal and 20° lateral relative to the first axis.    
     
     
         39 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 said head portion and said body portion are provided in a substantially T-shaped configuration relative to each other, with said body portion intersecting said head portion.    
     
     
         40 . A volar fixation plate, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid plate including a distal head portion and a proximal body portion, said body portion including at least one screw hole and said head portion defining a plurality of threaded holes adapted to individually receive fasteners with a threaded head therein, said plurality of threaded holes each having an axis, 
 a first axis through one of said holes being directed substantially normal to a lower surface of said head portion, and  
 another axis through one of said holes being angled approximately 10-30° distal and 10-30° lateral relative to the first axis.  
   
     
     
         41 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 40 , wherein: 
 a second of said axes through one of said holes is angled approximately 1-7° distal and 1-7° lateral relative to the first axis, and    a third axis of said plurality of axes through one of said holes angled approximately 7-13° distal and 7-13° lateral relative to the first axis,    wherein said holes defining said second and third axes are located between said holes defining said first and said another axes.    
     
     
         42 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said second axis is angled approximately 2.5° distal and 2.5° lateral relative to the first axis,    said third axis is angled approximately 10° distal and 10° lateral relative to the first axis, and    said another axis is angled approximately 20° distal and 20° lateral relative to the first axis.    
     
     
         43 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 40 , wherein: 
 each of said axes is oblique in two dimensions relative to the other of said axes.    
     
     
         44 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 40 , wherein: 
 said threaded holes are linearly arranged.    
     
     
         45 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said head portion defines a medial side and a lateral side, and said threaded holes are arranged in a generally medial to lateral direction wherein successive lateral threaded holes are situated distally relative to adjacent threaded holes.    
     
     
         46 . A volar fixation plate according to  claim 40 , wherein: 
 said threaded holes lie on a curve.