A MODULAR PIECE AND LOW PROFILE LOCK PLATE SYSTEM The Related Art

The invention relates to a modular piece and low profile lock plate system used in treatment of segmental fractures on long bones (arm and leg bones) or in revision of applications where bone union is not achieved.

The Prior Art

Nowadays, plate systems are used in treatment of segmental fractures on long bones like arm and leg bones or in revision of applications where bone union is not achieved. However, in the prior art plate systems, micro motion is provided from the screw part, not from the plate part and thus dynamization can not be ensured.

In the prior art, a well known technique is Ilizarov technique, ilizarov technique is a system wherein the bone is fixed by means of thin wires and rings. While ilizarov technique is good for dynamization and micro motion, it is very heavy and uncomfortable for the patient.

In another technique, the intramedullary lock screw placed within the bone has static and dynamic holes, whereas the screw has to be removed after six weeks in order to ensure dynamization. And this slows down the healing process of the bone.

In another method, a solid fixing is ensured by means of lock compression plates (LCP) and bone union takes very long time in case a small space is present (not visible to the eye). As the process gets longer, breaking or bending may occur on the plates and screws due to metal fatigue.

In the patent research, although a patent similar to the lock plate system of the present invention is not found, some patent applications have been encountered in the relevant technical field. Patent application no 2005/03744 relates to a plate used for fixing fractures on human body, comprising at least one fixing body, at least one lower body connected to the said fixing body from the lower end in order to provide flexibility, ensure a physiological union and minimize bone deformation, and at least one suspension component having impact absorption feature between said fixing body and the lower body in order to provide flexibility to said fixing body, ensure a physiological union, and minimize bone deformation.

European Patent Application with publication no EP1296603B1 relates to a device for fixing bone pieces that are separated due to fracture and it comprises a plate having holes for attachment on the bone, a series of hollow cylinders screwed on plate holes, and a series of tightening screws adapted to be screwed on the bone and then locked on the cylinders.

As a result; improvement is to be made in lock plate systems, and therefore, novel embodiments that would eliminate above said drawbacks and bring solution to prior art systems are needed.

Purpose of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modular piece and low profile lock plate system, which meets the above said requirements, eliminates all of the drawbacks and brings about some additional advantages.

Purpose of the invention is to develop a modular piece and low profile lock plate system used in treatment of segmental fractures on long bones (arm and leg bones) or in revision of applications where bone union is not achieved.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide blood flow to the bone by means of the low profile feature of the present invention plate system. Another purpose of the invention is to provide quick healing of the fracture due to dynamization and micro movements. Another purpose of the invention is to provide ease of application and flexibility for the surgeon during the surgery in terms of planning and making decisions according to his/her experience. Another purpose of the invention is to facilitate earlier recovery of the movement and function of the joints.

The lock plate system of the invention is a good solution for revision, cases with no union, and unsuccessful cases and the bacterial infection problem is eliminated through micro movements.

In order to achieve the above said purposes, the invention is a plate system used in treatment of segmental fractures on long bones (arm and leg bones) or in revision of applications where bone union is not achieved, comprising a plate and lock screws used in fixing of the system to the bone in connection with the said plate, and it is characterized in that; it comprises at least one movable slide housing formed at the said plate inner part and at least one movable slide connected with the lock screws and facilitating giving micro movements to the system through the plate by being embedded within said movable slide housing.

In order to achieve the purposes of the invention, it comprises low profile channels formed on the plate in certain intervals in order to provide better blood flow to the bone. In order to achieve the purposes of the invention, the movable slide housings formed on the plate inner part comprises angled profile that prevents removal of the movable slides.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations. Description of the Figures

Figure 1 , is the perspective view of the present invention plate system.

Figure 2, is the perspective view of the present invention plate system while the lock screws and movable slides found on the plate are in partially demounted state.

Figure 3, is the perspective view while the lock screws and movable slides are arranged side by side.

Figure 4, is the perspective view while the lock screws and movable slides are separated from each other. Drawings do not have to be scaled and details not necessary for understanding the present invention may be neglected. Moreover, components which are at least widely equal or which have at least widely equal functions are shown with the same number.

Reference Numbers 1. Plate

2. Movable slide

3. Lock screw

4. Movable slide housing

5. Low profile channel Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the modular piece and low profile plate system, which is the subject of the invention, will only be disclosed for better understanding of the subject, and will not form any limiting effect.

The invention relates to a modular piece and low profile lock plate system used in treatment of segmental fractures on long bones (arm and leg bones) or in revision of applications where bone union is not achieved.

The plate system of the invention comprises: a plate (1 ) forming the main body of the system, movable slide housing (4) formed at the said plate (1) inner part and bearing the movable slides (2), lock screws (3) used in fitting of the plate (1 ) between the bone and the movable slide (2) and fixing of the system to the bone, and low profile channels (5) formed on the plate (1) in certain intervals in order to provide better blood flow to the bone. The plate system of the invention comprises a plate (1) that forms the main body of the system. The plate (1 ) performs bearing task for the movable slides (2). Moreover, it provides better blood flow to the bone by means of its low profile feature.

Movable slides (2) facilitate providing micro movements to the system through the plate (1 ) and thus perform the function of accelerating bone union.

The geometric profile of movable slides (2) can vary according to the movable slide housing (4) formed at the inner part of the plate (1 ). Lock screws (3) connected to the movable slides (2) are the pieces used for fitting the plate (1) between the bone and the movable slide (2) and fixing of the system to the bone.

Movable slide housings (4) formed at the plate (1) inner part are the channels having angled profile for performing bearing task for positioning of movable slides (2) and also preventing removal of movable slides (2). Slide housing profile (4) can optionally and arbitrarily be made in different forms.

The plate (1) provides better blood flow to the bone by means of the low profile channels (5) formed on it.