Bone fixation methods and devices

Abstract

Bone fixation systems and methods are provided herein. A system may include a plate, having at least one face configured to be affixed to a bone surface, and an adhesive for affixing the plate to a bone surface. In some examples, the plate may include at least on indentation on its face, such as a dimple. The system may also include an application device for dispensing adhesive onto a plate or bone surface, which may include a chamber for containing the adhesive, a heating element in communication with the chamber, a nozzle for dispensing the adhesive, a piston slidably disposed within the chamber for advancing the adhesive towards the nozzle, and a control mechanism for controlling release of adhesive from the nozzle.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for reattaching a removed section of bone to in situ bone without use of a mechanical fixation implement, the method comprising:
 positioning the removed section of bone in an abutting relationship with the in situ bone;   applying a bioabsorbable polymer adhesive in a melted state to a removed bone and the in situ bone;   maintaining the position of the removed bone relative to the position of the in situ bone; and   allowing the adhesive to set and affix the removed bone to the in situ bone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer adhesive is applied to the removed bone section prior to positioning the removed bone section into the abutting relationship with the in situ bone, whereby the adhesive is applied to the in situ bone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer adhesive is applied to the in situ bone prior to positioning the removed bone section into the abutting relationship with the in situ bone, whereby the adhesive is applied to the removed bone section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of claim I, wherein the bioabsorbable polymer adhesive is a heat-meltable polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the heat-meltable polymer is a polymer blend. 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising:
 a biocompatible plate configured to be affixed to a bone surface; and   an adhesive comprising a heat-meltable biocompatible polymer and adapted to affix the plate to the bone surface without the use of a mechanical fixation implement.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the plate is resorbable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the plate is porous. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the plate includes a bioactive portion including a medicinal agent. 
     
     
         10 . A system for affixing a plate or removed section of bone to an in situ bone, the system comprising:
 an adhesive comprising a heat-meltable biocompatible polymer and adapted to affix the plate or removed section of bone to the in situ bone without the use of a mechanical fixation implement;   an applicator device comprising a chamber for containing the adhesive, a heating element in communication with the chamber, a nozzle for dispensing the adhesive, a piston slidably disposed within the chamber for advancing the adhesive towards the nozzle, and a control mechanism for controlling release of adhesive from the nozzle.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 . Wherein the control mechanism comprises an actuator in operative communication with the piston having an active position and a released position, whereby moving the actuator from the released position to the active position causes the piston to advance within the chamber towards the nozzle; and a spring biasing the actuator in the released position, wherein releasing the actuator from the active position retracts the piston within the chamber away from the nozzle and creates a negative pressure within the chamber.