US 12,127,773 B2
Orthopedic fixation system and methods of use thereof
Richard W. Castle, Honey Brook, PA (US)
Assigned to DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed by DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/841,168.
Prior Publication US 2023/0404637 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/80 (2006.01); A61B 17/68 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/8004 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/681 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An orthopedic fixation system adapted to affix a bone, comprising:
a compression insert transitionable between a natural shape and an insertion shape, whereby the compression insert upon transition from the natural shape to the insertion shape stores energy, further whereby the compression insert upon transition from the insertion shape to the natural shape delivers the energy stored therein;
an orthopedic implant, comprising a first plate including an insert slot configured to receive therein a portion of the compression insert and a second plate including an insert slot configured to receive therein a portion of the compression insert;
the first plate and the second plate in an insertion position being adapted to secure with the bone in an opposed relationship with the first plate and the second plate spaced apart to produce an expansion therebetween, whereby the insert slot of the first plate and the insert slot of the second plate align across the expansion;
the insert slot of the first plate, the insert slot of the second plate, and the expansion, when the first plate and the second plate reside in the insertion position, being configured to define an insert retaining pathway including dimensions greater than the compression insert in the insertion shape such that the insert retaining pathway receives therein the compression insert in the insertion shape while allowing transition within the insert retaining pathway of the compression insert from the insertion shape to the natural shape; and
the compression insert, in the insertion shape, being adapted to insert into the insert retaining pathway with the compression insert residing within the insert slot of the first plate and the insert slot of the second plate while spanning the expansion, and the compression insert, due to an attempted transition thereof within the insert retaining pathway from the insertion shape to the natural shape, being adapted to deliver the energy stored therein to the first plate and the second plate whereby the orthopedic implant affixes the bone.