Osteosynthetic Implant With An Embedded Hinge Joint

Abstract

An osteosynthesis implant includes at least one coupling in the form of a swivel joint. Each swivel joint includes at least one planar or annular swivel element and two connecting arms that define a pivot axis. The coupling permits rotation about each pivot axis. The implant and coupling may be formed of unitary construction, or a separate coupling may be connectable to the implant. The coupling may receive a bone fastener such as a bone screw, or may be used in applications that require the coupling to directly support portions of the body such as spinal features.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An implant, comprising:
 a first coupler having at least two first connecting elements for engaging a first bone plate to a first member, the first connecting elements being pivot-mounted to the first bone fixation element and permitting the first bone fixation element to rotate with respect to the second bone fixation element, the first bone fixation element having a first screw hole extending from a top surface thereof to a bottom surface thereof sized and configured to receive the first coupler via the first connecting elements, the first coupler further including a first borehole for receiving the second bone fixation element so that the first coupler permits rotation of the second bone fixation element with respect to the bone plate via the first connecting elements.   
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the first bone fixation element is a bone plate and the second bone fixation element is a bone screw. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3 , further comprising a second bone plate having a second screw hole for receiving a second coupler, the second coupler having a second borehole for receiving the bone screw so that the second coupler is alignable with the first coupler connected to permit the bone screw to pass through the first and second boreholes at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the first bone fixation element is a vertebral endplate. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 5 , wherein the second bone fixation element is a connecting member and the first coupler includes a coupler hole for receiving the connecting member so that the first coupler permits rotation of the connecting member with respect to the vertebral endplate via the connecting elements. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6 , further comprising a second vertebral endplate having a second screw hole configured to receive a second coupler via at least two second connecting elements, and wherein the second coupler includes a second borehole for receiving an end of the connecting member so that the connecting member interconnects the first and second vertebral endplates. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting member is a rod, a longitudinal axis of the rod extending substantially perpendicularly to first and second planes housing the first and second vertebral endplates. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the first bone fixation element is an intervertebral implant having a body with a top vertebra engaging surface, a bottom vertebra engaging surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending therebetween, and wherein the first screw hole is provided in at least one of the top and bottom vertebra surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 9 , further comprising a second screw hole provided in the other one of the top and bottom vertebra engaging surfaces for receiving a second coupler via second connecting elements thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 9 , wherein the top and bottom vertebra engaging surfaces are convex. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises at least one through hole extending from one side surface to another side surface. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the first bone fixation element is a pedicle screw mounting body, the body including a transverse channel extending transverse to the first screw hole for receiving a longitudinal spinal rod and wherein the second bone fixation element is a pedicle screw. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 13 , wherein the first screw hole has a tapered surface and the pedicle screw has a conical screw head sized and configured to contact the tapered surface so that the pedicle screw can rotate with respect to the first coupler. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 13 , wherein the first screw hole includes an inner threading the pedicle screw has an externally threaded head for threadedly engaging the inner threading. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 13 , wherein the pedicle screw has an expandable head and a means for fixedly securing the head to the first screw hole. 
     
     
         17 . A bone fixation device, comprising:
 a first bone plate having a first bone fixation element receiving hole extending therethrough along a first hole axis from a first surface to a second surface configured to contact a bone in an operative configuration;   a second bone plate having a second bone fixation element receiving hole extending therethrough along a second hole axis from a third surface to a fourth surface configured to face the first surface in an operative configuration;   a first coupler pivotally mounted to the first bone fixation element receiving hole, the first coupler including first and second connecting elements engaging a wall of the first bone fixation element receiving hole and including an opening therein for receiving a bone fixation element therein so that the bone fixation element may be pivoted relative to the first hole axis; and   a second coupler pivotally mounted to the second bone fixation element receiving hole, the second coupler including third and fourth connecting elements engaging a wall of the second bone fixation element receiving hole and including an opening therein for receiving the bone fixation element therein so that the bone fixation element may be pivoted relative to the second hole axis.   
     
     
         18 . The bone fixation device of  claim 17 , wherein the first bone plate and the second bone plate are configured so that movement of first bone plate relative to the second bone plate changes an angle of insertion of the bone fixation element. 
     
     
         19 . The bone fixation device of  claim 17 , further comprising a rod separating the fourth surface of the second bone plate from the first surface of the first bone plate. 
     
     
         20 . An implant, comprising:
 a body extending from a first end to a second end, the body having a borehole extending from the first end to the second end and a transverse channel configured for receiving a longitudinal bone support rod; and   a coupler having at least two connecting elements for securing a pedicle screw to the body, the connecting elements being pivotally mounted to the body and permitting the body to rotate with respect to the pedicle screw.   
     
     
         21 . The implant of  claim 20 , wherein the coupler permits rotation of the body relative to the pedicle screw about one of a first axis and a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.