Lateral ankle fusion plate system and jig, and method for use therewith

Abstract

The invention comprises a lateral ankle fusion plate, a jig for use with the fusion plate and a method for ankle fusion of the joints between the tibia, the talus, and the calcaneus. In addition, a separate fusion screw from posterior to anterior through the calcaneal tuberosity into the distal tibia is useful and can be placed using the targeting jig of the invention. The plate includes a C-shaped stirrup portion that wraps the bottom of the calcaneus and is provided with a screw hole for a T-T-C-fusion screw. A C-shaped targeting jig is provided that interfaces with the plate to allow for placement of the calcaneal screw and has an additional attachment for placement of the independent fusion screw so as to avoid impingement with the plate, and plate screws. The invention also relates to a method of surgery that incorporates the use of the plate, the jig and the tibial/talar/calcaneal fusion screw for an arthrodesis of the ankle joint.

1 . A fusion implant system comprising a fusion screw and a plate capable of attachment to the lateral section of a tibia and comprising a rail member having a calcaneal segment including a stirrup having a hole that receives the fusion screw and a first longitudinal segment that includes a posterior wing, a second longitudinal segment that includes a central fastener hole and an anterior tab and a posterior tab, and a third longitudinal segment that has at least one fastener hole and at least one posterior tab and at least one anterior tab. 
     
     
         2 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a targeting jig that removably interfaces with the plate in use to permit placement of the fusion screw through the hole in the stirrup of the calcaneal segment. 
     
     
         3 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the targeting jig further includes an additional jig for placement of a second fusion screw. 
     
     
         4 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the rail member further includes a compression slot. 
     
     
         5 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the fusion screw is a compression screw. 
     
     
         6 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the fusion screw is from about 50 to about 100 mm in length. 
     
     
         7 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the jig can be attached to the plate by means of the central fastener hole. 
     
     
         8 . The fusion implant system as set forth in claim I wherein the posterior wing of the first longitudinal segment includes at least two locking holes. 
     
     
         9 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of the posterior tab and the anterior tab of the second longitudinal segment include a locking hole. 
     
     
         10 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the third longitudinal segment includes two anterior tabs and two posterior tabs 
     
     
         11 . The fusion implant system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein each of the anterior tabs and the posterior tabs of the third longitudinal segment include at least one locking hole. 
     
     
         12 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of enabling a fusion surgery comprising providing an fusion implant system comprising a plate capable of attachment to the lateral section of a tibia and comprising a rail member having a calcaneal segment including a stirrup having a hole that receives a fusion screw and a first lateral segment that includes a posterior wing, a second lateral segment the includes a central locking hole and an anterior tab and a posterior tab, and a third lateral segment that has at least one locking hole and at least one posterior tab and at least one anterior tab, and a targeting jig that has a C shaped body that permits placement of the fusion screw through the hole in the stirrup of the calcaneal segment 
     
     
         24 . A method of enabling a fusion surgery comprising providing a plate, and a fusion screw having a fusion screw head portion, wherein the plate is capable of attachment to the lateral section of a tibia using bone screws and, and a plate extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a rail member having a first segment which is a calcaneal segment including a stirrup that has a distal hole that receives the fusion screw and cooperates with the fusion screw head portion to hold the plate relative to a calcaneus in use, and the plate having a second segment including at least one hole that cooperates with the bone screw to hold the plate relative to the tibia, and providing a jig that cooperates with the plate to provide for placement of the fusion screw through the distal hole to encourage fusion between the tibia, and a talus, and a calcaneus. 
     
     
         25 . A method of enabling a fusion surgery as set forth in  claim 24  further including a second fusion screw and wherein the jig has an attachment for the placement of the second fusion screw to avoid impingement with the first fusion screw and the bone screws. 
     
     
         26 - 39 . (canceled)