Orthopedic fastener for stabilization and fixation

Abstract

The present invention includes an apparatus, kit and method for providing a bone fixation assembly for attachment to a bone to provide augmented support. The bone fixation assembly includes a screw having a screw head and a threaded shank. A first aperture is positioned about the screw head to receive a first longitudinal member and a first compression member that engages the first aperture to secure the first longitudinal member. The screw head has a second aperture positioned to receive a second longitudinal member and a second compression member that engages the second longitudinal member aperture to secure the second longitudinal member and provide augmented support.

1 . A method of implanting a unitary bone fixation assembly to provide augmented support, the method comprising:
 providing a unitary bone fixation assembly comprising:
 a screw having a screw head and a threaded shank wherein the screw head and the threaded shank are formed from a single entity; 
 a first aperture positioned about the screw head, wherein the first aperture lines up over the threaded shank; and 
 a second aperture positioned about the screw head, wherein the second aperture has a first aperture end opening, a second aperture end opening, and a lateral aperture opening, wherein the first aperture end opening and the second aperture end opening are on opposite sides of the second aperture forming a lumen, wherein the lateral aperture opening connects the first aperture end opening and the second aperture end opening and includes a lip extending above a bottommost surface of the second aperture, and wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are of a single unitary construction about the screw head, wherein the second aperture is offset so that the second aperture does not line up over the threaded shank; 
   inserting a first longitudinal member into the first aperture from the top;   engaging a first compression member with the first aperture to secure the first longitudinal member;   inserting a second longitudinal member having a rod diameter into the second aperture from a lateral side of the screw head through one of the first or second aperture end openings, wherein the lateral aperture opening is smaller than the rod diameter to provide lateral support to the second longitudinal member after being inserted into the second aperture; and   engaging a second compression member with the second aperture to secure the second longitudinal member and provide augmented support, wherein the second compression member has a bottom surface configured to be malleable in order to deform upon contact with the second longitudinal member, and wherein a height of the second aperture is greater than the width of the second aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a bottommost surface of the second aperture is contoured to correspond to an outer portion of the second longitudinal member. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second longitudinal member has a smaller diameter than the first longitudinal member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second compression member is smaller than the first compression member. 
     
     
         5 . A method of implanting a bone fixation assembly that provides augmented support, the method comprising:
 providing a bone fixation assembly, comprising:
 a screw having a screw head and a threaded shank; 
 a first aperture positioned about the screw head and located within the screw head over the threaded shank; and 
 a second aperture positioned about the screw head, wherein the second aperture has a first aperture end opening, a second aperture end opening, and a lateral aperture opening, wherein the first aperture end opening and the second aperture end opening are on opposite sides of the second aperture forming a lumen, wherein the lateral aperture opening connects the first aperture end opening and the second aperture end opening and includes a lip extending above a bottommost surface of the second aperture, wherein the second aperture does not line up over the threaded shank, and wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are of a single unitary construction about the screw head; and 
   inserting a first longitudinal member within an open top portion of the first aperture;   engaging a first compression member with the first aperture to secure the first longitudinal member;   inserting a second longitudinal member having a rod diameter within an open side portion of the second aperture, wherein the lateral aperture opening is smaller than the rod diameter to provide lateral support to the second longitudinal member after being inserted into the second aperture; and   engaging a second compression member with the second aperture to secure the second longitudinal member and provide augmented support, wherein the second compression member has a bottom surface configured to be malleable in order to deform upon contact with the second longitudinal member, and wherein a height of the second aperture is greater than the width of the second aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bone fixation assembly further comprises one of the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein one of the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member comprises one of a wire, a tube, a solid tube, a square tube, a spring and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bone fixation assembly further comprises a first set of threads formed on an inner wall of the first aperture that mate to a complimentary first set of threads formed about the first compression member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first set of threads and the complimentary first set of threads comprise a saw-tooth pitch in order to prevent a plug from loosening when clamped against the first longitudinal member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bone fixation assembly further comprises a threaded compression member aperture extending from a top surface of the screw head into the second aperture and a second set of threads disposed about the second compression member that fit threadably in the threaded compression member aperture, which second set of threads are removable. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bone fixation assembly further comprises one or more active agents applied about the bone fixation assembly.