Bone plate and method for using bone plate

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a bone plate apparatus and methods for using the bone plate apparatus. More particularly, in one embodiment the bone plate apparatus and/or method may be used in connection with a laminoplasty procedure.

1 . An apparatus placed by an implantation tool for spacing a first section of a divided lamina apart from a second section of the divided lamina following a laminoplasty procedure, comprising: 
 a first portion for attachment to the first section of the divided lamina, wherein the first portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a first fastener driven into the first section of the divided lamina;    a second portion for attachment to the second section of the divided lamina, wherein the second portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a second fastener driven into the second section of the divided lamina;    an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion connects the first and second portions such that the first and second portions are spaced apart from one another along a first axis and the first and second portions are offset from one another along a second axis which is generally perpendicular to the first axis;    a tab portion extending from the intermediate portion from a position between the first portion and the second portion for forming a space for receiving at least part of the first section of the divided lamina;    a mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received; and    a recess in a surface of the first portion opposite the tab portion, which recess is configured to be: (a) engagable by the tool for placing the apparatus between the first and second sections of the divided lamina; and (b) engagable by the mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is threaded.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the recess has a machine screw thread.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the recess extends at least partially into the first portion.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the recess extends through the first portion.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tool for placing the apparatus between the first and second sections of the divided lamina includes a mechanism for engaging the threaded recess.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the mechanism for engaging the threaded recess comprises a screw.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received comprises a locking plate held in place by a screw engaging the threaded recess.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastener and the second fastener is a bone screw.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first fastener and the second fastener is a self-tapping bone screw.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a plurality of generally circular holes therethrough for receiving a respective plurality of fasteners driven into the first section of the divided lamina.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a plurality of generally circular holes therethrough for receiving a respective plurality of fasteners driven into the second section of the divided lamina.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of holes through the second portion are arranged in a generally linear pattern.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hole of the second portion is in the form of a slot.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the slot includes at least one detent.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a material selected from the group including: (a) titanium; and (b) titanium alloy.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a surface of the first portion adjacent the first section of the divided lamina and a surface of the second portion adjacent the second section of the divided lamina is textured.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the texture aids in maintaining position of the apparatus relative to at least one of the first section of the divided lamina and the second section of the divided lamina.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the texture is selected from the group including: (a) teeth; (b) grooves; and (c) ridges.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tab portion is configured to at least partially support the first section of the divided lamina when the first fastener is driven into the first section of the divided lamina.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are disposed generally parallel to one another.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are disposed at an angle relative to one another.  
     
     
         23 . A system for spacing a first section of a divided lamina apart from a second section of the divided lamina following a laminoplasty procedure, comprising: 
 (i) a spacer including: 
 (a) a first portion for attachment to the first section of the divided lamina, wherein the first portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a first fastener driven into the first section of the divided lamina;  
 (b) a second portion for attachment to the second section of the divided lamina, wherein the second portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a second fastener driven into the second section of the divided lamina;  
 (c) an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion connects the first and second portions such that the first and second portions are spaced apart from one another along a first axis and the first and second portions are offset from one another along a second axis which is generally perpendicular to the first axis;  
 (d) a tab portion extending from the intermediate portion from a position between the first portion and the second portion for forming a space for receiving at least part of the first section of the divided lamina;  
 (e) a mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received; and  
 (f) a recess in a surface of the first portion opposite the tab portion; and  
   (ii) an implantation tool, including: 
 (a) a handle; and  
 (b) a mechanism for engaging the recess;  
   wherein the recess is threaded, the mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received includes a threaded element and the mechanism of the implantation tool for engaging the recess includes a threaded element; and    wherein the recess is configured to be: (a) engagable by the threaded element of the implantation tool for placing the spacer between the first and second sections of the divided lamina; and (b) engagable by the threaded element of the mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received.    
     
     
         24 . A method for spacing a first section of a divided lamina apart from a second section of the divided lamina following a laminoplasty procedure, comprising: 
 (i) providing a spacer including: 
 (a) a first portion for attachment to the first section of the divided lamina, wherein the first portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a first fastener driven into the first section of the divided lamina;  
 (b) a second portion for attachment to the second section of the divided lamina, wherein the second portion includes at least one hole therethrough for receiving a second fastener driven into the second section of the divided lamina;  
 (c) an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion connects the first and second portions such that the first and second portions are spaced apart from one another along a first axis and the first and second portions are offset from one another along a second axis which is generally perpendicular to the first axis;  
 (d) a tab portion extending from the intermediate portion from a position between the first portion and the second portion for forming a space for receiving at least part of the first section of the divided lamina;  
 (e) a mechanism including a threaded element for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole into which the first fastener is received; and  
 (f) a recess in a surface of the first portion opposite the tab portion, wherein the recess is threaded;  
   (ii) providing an implantation tool, including: 
 (a) a handle; and  
 (b) a mechanism including a threaded element for engaging the recess;  
   (iii) threading the threaded element of the implantation tool to the recess;    (iv) using the implantation tool to position the spacer adjacent the first and second sections of the divided lamina;    (v) driving each of the first and second fasteners into a respective section of the divided lamina;    (vi) unthreading the threaded element of the implantation tool from the recess; and    (vii) threading the threaded element of the mechanism for preventing the first fastener from backing-out of the hole to the recess.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.