US 12,064,155 B2
Bone compression screws and related systems and methods
Anna Zastrozna, Teaneck, NJ (US)
Assigned to DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed by DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/665,676.
Application 17/665,676 is a division of application No. 16/137,584, filed on Sep. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,266,453.
Prior Publication US 2022/0151669 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/86 (2006.01); A61B 17/68 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/863 (2013.01) [A61B 17/864 (2013.01); A61B 17/866 (2013.01); A61B 2017/681 (2013.01); A61B 2017/8655 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of shaping a bone screw with an automated thread-forming device having a CNC unit that defines a coordinate system in three-dimensional space, comprising:
rotating a blank rigidly coupled to a spindle about an axis defined by the coordinate system;
advancing a first cutting tool through an exterior of the blank in a proximal direction oriented along the axis and at a speed during the rotating step so as to form a helical thread along a shaft of the bone screw;
reducing the speed during the advancing step, thereby providing a variable, proximally decreasing pitch along at least a portion of the shaft;
transitioning the first cutting tool toward disengagement from the blank under automated control of the CNC unit when 1) a relative axial position between the first cutting tool and the blank coincides with a first coordinate of a predetermined location between the first cutting tool and the blank, and 2) a relative rotational position between the first cutting tool and the blank coincides with a second coordinate of the predetermined location, wherein the first coordinate is along the axis, the second coordinate is an angular position about the axis, the first and second coordinates are defined by the coordinate system; and
moving a second cutting tool into engagement with the exterior of the blank under automated control of the CNC unit so that the second cutting tool engages the blank substantially at the predetermined location in a manner enabling continuation of the helical thread.