Adjustable bone plates

Abstract

Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.

1 . A bone plate for bone fixation, comprising:
 a first plate component defining a longitudinal axis and an aperture elongated parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   a second plate component mated with the first plate component to form a slidable interconnection that permits sliding of the second plate component with respect to the first plate component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second plate component defining a threaded opening positioned under the aperture such that a threaded fastener can be placed through the aperture, into threaded engagement with the opening, and into bone.   
     
     
         2 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the first plate component defines a second aperture elongated parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The bone plate of  claim 2 , wherein the opening is a first threaded opening, wherein the bone plate includes a second threaded opening positioned under the second aperture such that a threaded fastener can be placed through the second aperture, into threaded engagement with the second threaded opening, and into bone. 
     
     
         4 . The bone plate of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded opening is included in a first plate portion, further comprising a second plate portion defining a plurality of openings configured to receive fasteners that attach the second plate portion to bone. 
     
     
         5 . The bone plate of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second plate portions are connected by a movable joint. 
     
     
         6 . The bone plate of  claim 5 , wherein the movable joint is a pivotable joint. 
     
     
         7 . A method of bone fixation, comprising:
 selecting a bone plate including (a) a first plate component defining a longitudinal axis and an aperture elongated parallel to the longitudinal axis and (b) a second plate component mated with the first plate component to form a slidable interconnection that permits sliding of the second plate component with respect to the first plate component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second plate component defining a threaded opening positioned under the aperture; and   placing a threaded fastener through the aperture, into threaded engagement with the opening, and into bone.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the threaded fastener includes a head, and wherein the step of placing includes a step of engaging the first plate component with the head at the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of moving the opening along the aperture to adjust a position where the opening aligns with the aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of locking the bone plate such that sliding of the second plate component with respect to the first plate component is prevented. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of spanning a discontinuity in bone with the bone plate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of spanning a discontinuity includes a step of spanning a fracture in a bone with the bone plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the step of selecting selects a bone plate including a first plate component defining a second aperture elongated parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the opening is a first threaded opening, and wherein the step of selecting selects a bone plate including a second threaded opening positioned under the second aperture, further comprising a step of placing a threaded fastener through the second aperture, into threaded engagement with the second threaded opening, and into bone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the threaded opening is a first threaded opening included in a first plate portion, wherein the step of selecting selects a bone plate including a second plate portion defining a second threaded opening, further comprising a step of attaching the second plate portion to bone with a fastener placed in the second threaded opening. 
     
     
         16 . A bone plate for bone fixation, comprising:
 first and second plate members structured to be placed under skin and each defining one or more openings configured to receive fasteners that secure the first and second plate members to portions of at least one bone, the first and second plate members being connected to provide (1) a pivotable configuration in which an angular disposition of the plate members relative to one another is adjustable by pivotal movement of the first plate member about two or more nonparallel axes, and (2) a fixed configuration in which the angular disposition is fixed.