초록 ▼

A screw fastener for attachment to an orthopedic component such as an orthopedic plate for use in connection with fracture fixation, joint reconstruction or spinal stabilization or fusion is disclosed as having a shank with at least two different shank diameters, one in a plate engaging portion of t

A screw fastener for attachment to an orthopedic component such as an orthopedic plate for use in connection with fracture fixation, joint reconstruction or spinal stabilization or fusion is disclosed as having a shank with at least two different shank diameters, one in a plate engaging portion of the shank and one in the bone or other component engaging portion of the shank. At least two of the different shank diameters on the shank include threads, the threads on the two different diameter portions each having substantially the same thread height and pitch. A plate having a threaded aperture, or an adapter having a threaded aperture, is sized such that the threads of the smaller diameter shank portion engage and cooperate with the internal threads of the aperture to correctly align the screw fastener and the implant as the screw fastener is threaded through the implant. The threads on the larger diameter shank portion and the internal threads of the aperture of the implant are sized so that the threads of the larger diameter shank portion are fully engaged with the internal threads of the orthopedic implant.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An orthopedic system comprising: an orthopedic implant having at least one aperture with internal threads; an orthopedic screw having a head; a first portion in communication with said head, said first portion having a shank with a first shank diameter and a first threa

The invention claimed is: 1. An orthopedic system comprising: an orthopedic implant having at least one aperture with internal threads; an orthopedic screw having a head; a first portion in communication with said head, said first portion having a shank with a first shank diameter and a first thread extending radially outward from said shank to define a thread diameter, said orthopedic screw having a second portion having a shank with a second shank diameter and a second thread extending radially outward from said second shank to define a second thread diameter, said orthopedic screw having a distal tip, said second shank diameter and said second thread diameter being smaller than said first shank diameter and said first thread diameter respectively; said second thread having a thread height and a pitch, and said first thread having a thread height and a pitch, wherein said thread height and pitch of said first thread are substantially equal to said thread height and pitch of said second thread, respectively; wherein said second thread is adapted to be received in said aperture of said orthopedic implant and communicate with said internal threads of said orthopedic implant to maintain correct alignment between said orthopedic screw and said orthopedic implant, said first thread and said first shank diameter of said first portion being adapted to fully engage said internal threads of said at least one aperture of said orthopedic implant; wherein said second thread diameter is greater than said first shank diameter; and wherein the first and second threads have the same thread profile. 2. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic implant is a bone plate. 3. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic implant includes a coupler. 4. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw has a thread height and pitch at said distal tip which are substantially equal to the thread height and pitch of said first and second portions. 5. The orthopedic system according to claim 4, wherein said orthopedic screw distal tip includes a tapered portion. 6. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said distal tip of the orthopedic screw includes a first end remote from said second portion, said distal tip further including at least one groove extending from said first end toward said second portion. 7. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw includes a head, said head having a recess. 8. The orthopedic system according to claim 7, wherein said recess is in the shape of a star. 9. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw has a pitch which is approximately between 0.8 millimeters and 1 millimeter. 10. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said thread height is approximately between 0.25 millimeters and 3 millimeters. 11. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw is self-drilling. 12. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein the orthopedic screw has a length between approximately between 10 millimeters and 120 millimeters and said first portion has a length between 1 millimeter and 2.2 millimeters. 13. The orthopedic system according to claim 1 wherein the orthopedic screw further includes a transition portion between said first and second portions, wherein the transition portion is chamfered. 14. The orthopedic system according to claim 1 wherein said orthopedic screw further includes a head, and wherein said head has a bottom surface that can be mounted flush with an outer surface of the orthopedic implant. 15. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw first thread and said second thread are continuous. 16. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein said orthopedic screw thread height and pitch of said distal tip thereof is substantially equal to said thread heights and pitches, respectively, of said first and second threads, respectively. 17. The orthopedic system according to claim 1, wherein the first shank diameter of the orthopedic screw has a substantially constant first diameter and said second shank diameter has a substantially constant second diameter. 18. The orthopedic screw according to claim 1, wherein the screw further includes a head, and wherein said head is flush with the bone plate. 19. A method of attaching an orthopedic implant to a patient, the method comprising: providing an orthopedic screw having a head, a first portion in communication with said head, said first portion including a first shank having first and second ends, a first root diameter and a first thread extending radially outward from said first shank, said first root diameter being substantially constant between the first and second ends of the first shank, said first thread with a thread profile and defining a first outer diameter, said orthopedic screw further having a second portion including a second shank having first and second ends, a second root diameter and a second thread extending radially outward from said second portion, said second root diameter being substantially constant between the first and second ends of the second shank, said second thread having the same thread profile as the first thread and having a second outer diameter, said second root diameter and said second outer diameter being smaller than said first root diameter and said first outer diameter, and said second thread having a thread height and a pitch, said first thread having a thread height and a pitch, wherein said thread height and pitch of said first thread are substantially equal to the thread height and pitch of said second thread, respectively; providing an orthopedic implant, said implant having at least one aperture with an internal thread; pre-drilling a hole into a bone to which said orthopedic implant will be attached to; aligning said orthopedic implant in correct spatial relation to said pre-drilled hole; aligning said orthopedic screw with said aperture of said implant and translating said orthopedic screw through said aperture and into said predrilled hole, wherein said second portion of said orthopedic screw contacts said internal thread of said aperture in order that said orthopedic screw maintains a predetermined spatial relationship with regard to said orthopedic implant; translating said orthopedic screw further through said aperture of said orthopedic implant; and wherein said first portion contacts said internal thread of said orthopedic implant to lock said orthopedic screw relative to said orthopedic implant. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the orthopedic screw further comprises a distal tip, said distal tip having a third shank with a third root diameter and said distal tip including a third thread extending radially outward from said third shank, said third thread having a thread height and a pitch. 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the orthopedic screw has a thread height and pitch of said distal tip are substantially equal to said thread height and pitch of said first and second portions. 22. The method of to claim 21, wherein said distal tip of the orthopedic screw includes a first end remote from said second portion, said distal tip further including at least one groove extending from said first end toward said second portion. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the orthopedic screw second outer diameter is greater than said first root diameter.