Bone fixation system

Abstract

Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones, such as rib bones, with bone plates.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of fixing a rib bone, the method comprising:
 selecting a bone plate including a first clip portion, a second clip portion, and a spanning portion, at least one of the clip portions defining a first aperture and a second aperture;   disposing the bone plate adjacent a rib bone, with each clip portion extending partway around the rib bone to at least generally opposite sides of the rib bone, and with the spanning portion extending along the rib bone from the first clip portion to the second clip portion; and   connecting the bone plate to the rib bone using one or more fasteners, wherein the step of connecting includes a step of placing a leading region of a fastener through the first aperture and then into attached engagement with the second aperture, such that the fastener extends through the rib bone between the first aperture and the second aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a bone plate includes a step of selecting a bone plate that is only one piece. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate causes each clip portion to follow an at least generally U-shaped path partway around the rib bone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate includes a step of disposing the first aperture adjacent an outer surface region of the rib bone and the second aperture adjacent an inner surface region of the rib bone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate includes a step of disposing the spanning portion adjacent an outer side of the rib bone that provides the outer surface region and not adjacent an inner side of the rib bone that provides the inner surface region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first clip portion and the second clip portion defines a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein the step of placing is performed for each clip portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener has a head and a shaft, wherein the shaft has a thread, and wherein the step of placing disposes the head of the fastener adjacent the first aperture and the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the second aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a same first axis extends through the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the second aperture is elongated along a second axis transverse to the first axis to form an elongated wall region, and wherein the step of placing disposes the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the elongated wall region. 
     
     
         9 . A method of fixing a rib bone, the method comprising:
 selecting a bone plate including a first clip portion, a second clip portion, and a spanning portion, each clip portion defining a proximal aperture and a distal aperture;   disposing the bone plate adjacent a rib bone, with the proximal aperture of each clip portion adjacent an outer surface region of the rib bone and the distal aperture of each clip portion adjacent an inner surface region of the rib bone, and with the spanning portion extending from the first clip portion to the second clip portion; and   connecting each clip portion to the rib bone with a fastener having a head and a shaft, wherein the step of connecting includes a step of placing the shaft into attached engagement with the distal aperture of the clip portion and the head of the fastener adjacent the proximal aperture of the clip portion, such that the fastener extends through the rib bone between the first aperture and the second aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of selecting a bone plate includes a step of selecting a bone plate having the first clip portion, the second clip portion, and the spanning portion formed collectively as one piece. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate causes each clip portion to follow an at least generally U-shaped path partway around the rib bone. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate includes a step of disposing the spanning portion adjacent an outer side of the rib bone that provides the outer surface region and not adjacent an inner side of the rib bone that provides the inner surface region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , where the shaft includes a thread, and wherein the step of placing disposes the head of the fastener adjacent the proximal aperture and the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the distal aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a same first axis extends through the proximal aperture and the distal aperture, wherein the distal aperture is elongated along a second axis transverse to the first axis to form an elongated wall region, and wherein the step of placing disposes the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the elongated wall region. 
     
     
         15 . A method of fixing a rib bone, the method comprising:
 selecting a bone plate including a first clip portion, a second clip portion, and a spanning portion, each clip portion defining a first aperture and a second aperture;   disposing the bone plate adjacent a rib bone, with the rib bone disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture of the at least one clip portion, and with the spanning portion extending from the first clip portion to the second clip portion; and   connecting each clip portion to the rib bone with a fastener, wherein the step of connecting includes a step of placing a leading region of the fastener through the first aperture and then into attached engagement with the second aperture of the clip portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate causes each clip portion to follow an at least generally U-shaped path partway around the rib bone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate includes a step of disposing the first aperture adjacent an outer surface region of the rib bone and the second aperture adjacent an inner surface region of the rib bone, and wherein the outer surface region and the inner surface region are at least generally opposite each other on the rib bone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of disposing the bone plate includes a step of disposing the spanning portion adjacent an outer side of the rib bone that provides the outer surface region and not adjacent an inner side of the rib bone that provides the inner surface region. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fastener has a head and a shaft, wherein the shaft has a thread, and wherein the step of placing disposes the head of the fastener adjacent the first aperture and the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the second aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a same first axis extends through the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the second aperture is elongated along a second axis transverse to the first axis to form an elongated wall region, and wherein the step of placing disposes the thread of the shaft in threaded engagement with the elongated wall region.