초록 ▼

A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the

A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the physis. These implants act as a flexible tethers between the epiphyseal and the metaphyseal sections of bone during bone growth. These implants are designed to adjust and deform during the bone realignment process. When placed on the convex side of the deformity, the implant allows the bone on the concave side of the deformity to grow. During the growth process the bone is then realigned. A similar procedure is used to correct torsional deformities.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bone alignment implant system comprising: an elongated link having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge and which extend between a first end and an opposing second end of the link, the link

What is claimed is: 1. A bone alignment implant system comprising: an elongated link having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge and which extend between a first end and an opposing second end of the link, the link having a first opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at the first end, a second opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at the second end and a guide opening extending completely therethrough between the top surface and the bottom surface at a central location between the first opening and the second opening, the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening being completely encircled by the link, the guide opening being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, the link having a central linear longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the opposing second end that intersects with the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening, the first opening also having a central linear axis extending therethrough that extends normal to the bottom surface of the link, a first recess being centrally formed on the first side edge and a second recess being centrally formed on the second side edge such that a linear line extending orthogonal to the central linear longitudinal axis can extend between the first recess and the second recess and intersect with the guide opening, the first recess and the second recess each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the link; a first bone fastener comprising a first head at one end and a first engager projecting from an opposing end, the first engager being passable though the first opening, and the first head being precluded from passing through the first opening; and a second bone fastener comprising a second engager and a second head, the second engager being passable through the second opening, and the second head being precluded from passing through the second opening, wherein neither the first engager nor the second engager can pass though the guide opening, wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening are the only openings formed on the link that extend completely through the link and are completely encircled by the link. 2. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the link, the first bone fastener, and the second bone fastener are each comprised of a medical grade material. 3. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first engager and the second engager each have a transverse cross sectional area that is configured so that neither the first engager nor the second engager can pass through the guide opening. 4. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first head of the first bone fastener can freely rotate and pivot when the first head is seated within the first opening of the link. 5. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first engager and the second engager each comprise a helical thread. 6. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener each comprise a screw. 7. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the link has a bottom surface with a plurality of spikes projecting therefrom. 8. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a guide wire having a distal end adapted to slidably pass through the guide opening. 9. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second opening also having a central linear axis extending therethrough that extends normal to the bottom surface of the link. 10. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the link is smooth with no projections outwardly extending therefrom. 11. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the link is complementary to the bottom surface of the link. 12. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener each comprise a cannulated screw. 13. An orthopedic bone alignment implant system comprising: a link having a top surface and a bottom surface between which a first opening, a second opening, and a guide opening extend so as to pass completely through the link and so as to be completely encircled by the link, the guide opening being centrally positioned between the first opening and the second opening and being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, the top surface and the bottom surface each extending between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge which in turn extend between a first end and an opposing second end of the link, a first recess being formed on the first side edge and a second recess being formed on the second side edge such that a linear line can extend between the first recess and the second recess so as to intersect with the guide opening, the first recess and the second recess each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the link, the bottom surface being smooth with no projections outwardly extending therefrom; a first fastener and a second fastener each having a head at one end and a bone engager projecting from an opposing end; wherein the first and second openings in the link are dimensioned to allow the bone engager of the first fastener and the second fastener to pass therethrough and the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening are the only openings formed on the link that extend completely through the link and are completely encircled by the link. 14. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the guide opening is configured so that the bone engager of the first fastener and the second fastener cannot pass therethrough. 15. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first head of the first bone fastener can freely rotate and pivot when the first head is seated within the first opening of the link. 16. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening are aligned along a linear longitudinal axis that centrally extends between the first end and the opposing second end of the link, the linear line extending orthogonal to the linear longitudinal axis. 17. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the bone engager of the first fastener and the second fastener each comprise a helical thread. 18. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, further comprising a guide wire having a distal end adapted to slidably pass through the guide opening. 19. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: the bone engager of the first fastener is adapted to connect to a epiphyseal section of bone on a first side of a physis; the bone engager of the second fastener is adapted to connect to a metaphyseal section of bone on a second side of the physis; and the link being adapted to span the between the epiphyseal section of bone on the first side of the physis and the metaphyseal section of bone on the second side of the physis. 20. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first opening and the second opening each have a central linear axis extending therethrough that extends normal to the bottom surface of the link. 21. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the link has a substantially FIG. 8 configuration. 22. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the top surface of the link is complementary to the bottom surface of the link. 23. The bone alignment implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener each comprise a cannulated screw. 24. An orthopedic bone alignment implant system comprising: a link having a top surface and a bottom surface between which a first opening, a second opening, and a guide opening extend so as to pass completely through the link and so as to be completely encircled by the link, the guide opening being centrally positioned between the first opening and the second opening and being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, the top surface and the bottom surface each extending between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge which in turn extend between a first end and an opposing second end of the link, the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening being aligned along a linear longitudinal axis that centrally extends between the first end and the opposing second end of the link, a first recess being formed on the first side edge and a second recess being formed on the second side edge such that a linear line extending orthogonal to the linear longitudinal axis can extend between the first recess and the second recess so as to intersect with the guide opening, the first recess and the second recess each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the link, the bottom surface being smooth with no projections outwardly extending therefrom; a first fastener and a second fastener each having a head at one end and a bone engager projecting from an opposing end; wherein the first and second openings in the link are dimensioned to allow the bone engager of the first fastener and the second fastener to pass therethrough and wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the guide opening are the only openings formed on the link that extend completely through the link and are completely encircled by the link; wherein the guide opening is configured so that the bone engager of the first fastener and the second fastener cannot pass therethrough.