Method and apparatus for treating a bone fracture

Abstract

Apparatus for treating a bone fracture, the apparatus comprising: an anchoring tube comprising a hollow elongated shaft adapted for disposition in a hole formed in a bone and having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween, and a substantially planar plate mounted to the proximal end of the hollow elongated shaft and adapted for disposition against the outer surface of the bone; wherein the plate comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and further wherein the bottom surface of the plate is convex, such that when the anchoring tube is disposed in a hole formed in a bone and is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the hollow elongated shaft, the convex bottom surface of the plate maintains supporting contact with the outer surface of the bone.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for treating a bone fracture, the apparatus comprising:
 an anchoring tube comprising a hollow elongated shaft adapted for disposition in a hole formed in a bone and having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween, and a substantially planar plate mounted to the proximal end of the hollow elongated shaft and adapted for disposition against the outer surface of the bone;   wherein the hollow elongated shaft comprises at least two diametrically-opposed holes extending therethrough; and   a suture assembly extending through a bone fragment, through at least one of the diametrically-opposed holes in the hollow elongated shaft, and through the lumen of the anchoring tube, the suture assembly securing the bone fragment to the anchoring tube under tension, whereby to secure the bone fragment to the bone receiving the anchoring tube.   
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein a first portion of the suture assembly bears against the bone fragment and a second portion of the suture assembly is secured to the anchoring tube. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the suture assembly comprises a buckle mounted to the first portion of the suture assembly, wherein the buckle bears against an outer surface of the bone fragment. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the buckle comprises a plate having at least one hole formed therein. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the second portion of the suture assembly is secured to the plate. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the second portion of the suture assembly is secured to the plate by a screw which also secures the plate to the bone. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the plate comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and further wherein the bottom surface of the plate is convex, such that when the anchoring tube is disposed in a hole formed in a bone and is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the hollow elongated shaft, the convex bottom surface of the plate maintains supporting contact with the outer surface of the bone. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising at least one pin extending through at least two diametrically-opposed holes formed in the hollow elongated shaft. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the pin is threaded. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising at least one bone screw extending through at least two diametrically-opposed holes formed in the hollow elongated shaft. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising at least one barb extending through at least one hole formed in the hollow elongated shaft. 
     
     
         18 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus for treating a bone fracture, the apparatus comprising:
 a suture assembly comprising a suture and a buckle for mounting to the suture, wherein the buckle comprises a plate having two holes formed therein, a bridge extending between the two holes, and a slot connecting one of the two holes to a perimeter of the plate.   
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26  further comprising a buckle holder for holding the buckle while the suture is secured to the buckle, the buckle holder comprising a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a pair of holes extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a buckle seat adjacent the distal end and extending proximally, and a vertical slot opening on the distal end and extending proximally, the vertical slot extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the buckle holder being sized so that the buckle seat can receive the buckle, with the two holes in the buckle being aligned with the two holes in the buckle holder. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the buckle seat comprises a recess opening on the distal end of the buckle holder and extending proximally. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the recess comprises a horizontal slot opening on the distal end of the buckle holder and extending proximally. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A buckle holder for holding a buckle while suture is secured to the buckle, wherein the buckle has two holes therein and a slot connecting one of the holes to an end of the buckle, the buckle holder comprising a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a pair of holes extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a buckle seat adjacent the distal end and extending proximally, and a vertical slot opening on the distal end and extending proximally, the vertical slot extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the buckle holder being sized so that the buckle seat can receive the buckle, with the two holes in the buckle being aligned with the two holes in the buckle holder. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the buckle seat comprises a recess opening on the distal end of the buckle holder and extending proximally. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein the recess comprises a horizontal slot opening on the distal end of the buckle holder and extending proximally. 
     
     
         34 .- 44 . (canceled)