Bone Plate System and Related Methods

Abstract

A bone plate system for use in an “open door” laminoplasty procedure, including a bone plate, a first fixation element, and at least one second fixation element. The bone plate is elongated and has a generally curved shape such that the plate has an associated radius of curvature. The plate is sized and dimensioned to span a gap between a pair of bony segments, for example a pair of bony segments constituting a divided lamina. The first and second fixation elements are each configured to securely attach the bone plate to the bony segments. The bone plate has a first end including a generally U-shaped slot extending therein such that the open end of the slot comprises a first terminal end of the plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone plate for use in a laminoplasty procedure, comprising
 a first end comprising a pair of first flanges defining a generally U-shaped slot;   a second end comprising a second flange having a top surface and bottom surface and including at least one aperture extending through the second flange from the top surface to the bottom surface; and   an elongated body having a generally curved shape extending between the first end and second end, wherein the body has a bottom surface and a top surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is made from titanium. 
     
     
         3 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of first flanges are generally planar. 
     
     
         4 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second flange forms an acute angle with the body. 
     
     
         5 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a third flange extending from the bottom surface. 
     
     
         6 . The bone plate of  claim 5 , wherein the third flange includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends between the bottom surface of the body and the second portion, and the second portion extends away from the first portion in a direction generally toward the first end of the bone plate. 
     
     
         7 . The bone plate of  claim 6 , wherein the second portion of the third flange forms an obtuse angle with the first portion of the third flange. 
     
     
         8 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises an elongated aperture extending therethrough from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         9 . A bone plate system for use in a laminoplasty procedure, comprising:
 a bone plate having a first end including a first pair of flanges defining a generally U-shaped slot; a second end including a second flange having a top surface and bottom surface and including at least one aperture extending therethrough from the top surface to the bottom surface; and an elongated body having a generally curved shape extending between the first end and second end, wherein the body has a bottom surface and a top surface;   a first fixation element configured to couple the first end of the bone plate to a first bony segment; and   a second fixation element configured to couple the second end of the bone plate to a second bony segment.   
     
     
         10 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second fixation elements include bone screws, tacks, nails, hooks, pins, sutures, adhesives or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , wherein the first fixation element includes a nut and bolt. 
     
     
         12 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , wherein the first fixation element comprises a bone screw including a head, a shank and a neck extending between the head and shank. 
     
     
         13 . The bone plate system of  claim 12 , wherein the shank is threaded. 
     
     
         14 . The bone plate system of  claim 12 , wherein the bone screw is a self-tapping screw. 
     
     
         15 . The bone plate system of  claim 12 , wherein the neck further comprises a first portion adjacent to the head, a second portion adjacent to the shank and an annular ledge positioned between the first portion and second portion, wherein the annular ledge has a diameter greater than the head. 
     
     
         16 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , wherein the second fixation element is a self-tapping bone screw. 
     
     
         17 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , further comprising a template tool. 
     
     
         18 . The bone plate system of  claim 17 , wherein the template tool includes a proximal end comprising a handle;
 a distal end comprising a foot having a pair of flanges defining a U-shaped slot corresponding in size and shape to the first end of the bone plate; and   an elongated rod extending between the handle and the distal end.   
     
     
         19 . The bone plate system of  claim 9 , wherein the body of the plate further comprises an elongated aperture extending therethrough from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . The bone plate system of  claim 19 , further comprising a bone graft and a third fixation element configured to couple the bone graft to the bone plate.