Orthopedic plate, orthopedic device, method of coupling bone segments, and method of assembling an orthopedic plate

Abstract

An orthopedic plate comprising, a frame portion and a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the orthopedic plate to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
 positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;   coupling a bearing to the frame portion such that the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the bearing comprising an opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;   advancing a fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel to fasten the frame portion to the body, wherein the fastener contacts the bearing causing the bearing to radially expand and become non-rotatably coupled to the frame portion.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 rotating the bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the fastener;   wherein the opening of the bearing is eccentric to an outer surface of the bearing such that rotation of the bearing causes a position of the opening to adjust with respect to the frame portion.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 mating a notch on the outer surface of the bearing with a ring on an inner surface of the frame portion; and   rotating the bearing caused the notch to slide past the ring.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the notch is situated midway between a top surface and a bottom surface of the bearing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a top surface of the bearing is flush with a top surface of the frame portion along a circumference of the bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the bearing provides a first key hole and a second key hole spaced apart in the bearing and positioned between the opening and the outer surface of the bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first key hole and the second key hole each extend circumferentially around a portion of a circumference of the bearing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coupling the bearing to the frame portion comprises snapping the bearing into place within the frame portion at a set vertical position within the frame portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion while maintaining the bearing at the set vertical position in the frame portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the bearing further comprises:
 at least a first annular-shaped ridge projecting into the opening of the bearing to provide a first inner diameter within the opening, and   a second annular-shaped ridge projecting into the opening of the bearing to provide a second inner diameter within the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first inner diameter is located in a first plane and the second inner diameter is located in a second plane; and
 the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of travel and are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of travel.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener includes a tapered head section; and
 advancing the fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel causes the tapered head section to contact the second ridge and gradually expand the second ridge outward so as to provisionally lock the bearing to the frame portion.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a distal end of the fastener comprises a first set of fastener threads for entering bone, and a proximal end of the fastener comprises a locking head having a second set of fastener threads. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein advancing the fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel causes the locking head to contact the second ridge to lock the locking head to the second ridge. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 coupling a second bearing to the frame portion such that the second bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the second bearing defining a second opening; and   advancing a second fastener into the second opening to further fasten the frame portion to the body.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 rotating the second bearing with respect to the frame portion;   wherein the second opening of the bearing is eccentric to an outer surface of the second bearing such that rotation of the second bearing causes a position of the second opening to adjust with respect to the frame portion.   
     
     
         19 . A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
 positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;   coupling a bearing to the frame portion such that the bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the bearing comprising an opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;   advancing a fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel and causing the fastener to radially expand the bearing, thereby rotatably coupling the bearing to the frame portion;   rotating the bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the fastener;   wherein the opening of the bearing is eccentric with respect to an outer surface of the bearing such that rotation of the bearing causes a position of the opening to adjust with respect of the frame portion.   
     
     
         20 . A method of mounting an orthopedic plate assembly to a body, comprising:
 positioning a frame portion of the orthopedic plate assembly against a body;   coupling a first bearing to the frame portion such that the first bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion independent of the first fastener, the first bearing comprising a first opening that defines a longitudinal direction of travel;   advancing a first fastener along the longitudinal direction of travel and causing the first fastener to radially expand the first bearing, thereby coupling the first bearing to the frame portion;   coupling a second bearing to the frame portion such that the second bearing is rotatable with respect to the frame portion, the second bearing defining a second opening;   advancing a second fastener into the second opening to further fasten the frame portion to the body; and   rotating the second bearing with respect to the frame portion independent of the second fastener;   wherein the second opening of the second bearing is eccentric with respect to an outer surface of the second bearing such that rotation of the second bearing causes a position of the second opening to adjust with respect of the frame portion.