Appeal 2007-1707
Application 10/335,597
segments caused by trauma, tumor growth, or degenerative disc disease.”
(Specification 1: 17-18.)
One type of external bone fixation device is an osteosynthesis
plate, more commonly referred to as a bone plate, that can be
used to immobilize adjacent skeletal parts such as vertebral
bones. . . . The plate is fastened to the respective bones, using
anchors such as bone screws, so that the plate remains in
contact with the bones and fixes them in a desired position.
(Specification 1: 25-30.)
[S]ome bone screws and bone plates are constructed such that
the bone plate is placed onto the intended area to be fixed, and
then the bone screws are inserted through the plate to secure the
plate to the bone segments. In other bone plate and screw
systems, the screws are inserted into the bone segments first,
then the plate is secured to the screws.
(Specification 2: 10-14.)
The claimed invention provides a bone plate comprising a “resilient
aperture” that can “expand and contract” to receive a bone screw
(Specification 6: 1-9). With this feature, bone screws can be first inserted
into the bone, and then the plate can be attached to the screws by inserting
the screws through the “resilient aperture” which expands to permit the
screw head to pass through it. This system offers “the surgeon the ability to
either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending
on the surgeon’s preference and the patient’s anatomical conditions.”
(Specification 3: 3-5.)
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Last modified: September 9, 2013