Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
TRAUMA IMPLANT

2. APPLICANT:
Meril Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., an Indian company of the Survey No. 135/139, Bilakhia House, Muktanand Marg, Chala, Vapi- 396191, Gujarat, India.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF INVENTION
[1] The present disclosure relates to a medical implant. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a trauma implant.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[2] Neuropathy is quite common in people on dialysis. The nerves of patients on dialysis get weak, and/or swollen. Due to this, it gets difficult to find the nerves after regular dialysis. The patients suffer from high pain while inserting the needles to find the nerves. This problem is accentuated in patients having or requiring a trauma implant, for example, a radius bone implant. The presence of the trauma implant may partially or totally obscure the nerves. In such a case, it is extremely challenging for a medical practitioner to find the nerve for the dialysis without causing severe pain to the patient.
[3] Thus, there arises a need for a trauma implant that overcomes challenges with conventional trauma implants.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[4] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are mere examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[5] The present disclosure relates to an implant. The implant includes a plate and a fixture. The fixture includes an outer plate, a middle plate and an inner plate. The outer plate is coupled to the plate. The outer plate includes an opening on a top surface of the outer plate. The middle plate is coupled to the outer plate and is linearly movable within the opening on the top surface of the outer plate. The inner plate is coupled to the middle plate and is able to rotate within the middle plate. A hole is provided on a top surface of the inner plate. The hole is configured to allow a passage for a needle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[6] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the apportioned drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentality disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.
[7] Fig. 1 depicts an assembled view of an implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[8] Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of a plate 110 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[9] Fig. 3a depicts an outer plate 121 of a fixture 120 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[10] Fig. 3b depicts a middle plate 123 of a fixture 120 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[11] Fig. 3c depicts an inner plate 125 of a fixture 120 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[12] Fig. 4 depicts the inner plate 125 of the implant 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[13] Prior to describing the disclosure in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with" and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have a property of, or the like. Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
[14] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.
[15] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, and may be applied to any embodiment disclosed herein. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed system, method, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatuses.
[16] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and apportioned claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter.
[17] The present disclosure relates to a trauma implant (or implant) having a fixture coupled thereto. The fixture includes a hole configured to allow a passage of a needle (for example, a dialysis needle) to a nerve of a patient. The hole can be rotated by 360 degrees and moved linearly. During an implantation procedure, a surgeon can rotate and move the hole as needed to align the hole with a desired nerve(s), for example, the nerve(s) used for a dialysis procedure. The hole can be easily located from outside of the patient’s skin. In an embodiment, the fixture may include a lip provided around the periphery of the hole for easier location of the hole. Further, as the hole is aligned with the nerve(s) of the patient, a medical practitioner can easily locate the nerve by locating the hole and pass the needle through the hole to access the nerve. Thus, the present disclosure facilitates easier and more accurate insertion of a needle into the nerve(s) of the patient, despite the presence of the implant. Further, there is almost no pain for the patient unlike conventional implants which cause severe pain to the patients while inserting the needle.
[18] According to an embodiment, the implant may be a radius bone implant, though the present disclosure is applicable to other hand trauma implants. In an embodiment, the fixture includes an outer plate, a middle plate and an inner plate. The outer plate is coupled to a plate of the implant. The middle plate is coupled to the outer plate and the inner plate is coupled to the middle plate. The hole is provided on a top surface of the inner plate. The outer plate, the middle plate and the inner plate are coupled such that the hole can be rotated by 360 degrees and moved linearly for aligning with the nerve(s). In an embodiment, the middle plate is linearly movable within an opening on a top surface of the outer plate and the inner plate is rotatable within the middle plate.
[19] Now referring to the figures, Fig. 1 shows an assembled view of an implant 100 according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the implant 100 is a radius bone implant. Though the disclosure has been explained in the context of a radius bone implant, it should be appreciated that the teachings of the present disclosure can be applied to other hand trauma implants or any other trauma implants, where an access to a nerve may be required post implanting the trauma implant. The implant 100 includes a plate 110 and a fixture 120. The plate 110 is fixed to a radius bone of a patient during the implantation procedure. The plate 110 includes a proximal end 110a and a distal end 110b. The fixture 120 is disposed at the distal end 110b of the plate 110. The fixture 120 is coupled to the plate 110 as explained later.
[20] In an embodiment, the plate 110 includes a head portion 111, an elongated portion 113, a plurality of first fasteners 111n (hereinafter referred to as the first fasteners 111n) and a plurality of second fasteners 113n (hereinafter referred to as the second fasteners 113n) as shown in Fig. 2. In an embodiment, the first fasteners 111n includes five first fasteners 111n. In an embodiment, the second fasteners 113n includes four second fasteners 113n. It should be appreciated that the number of the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n disclosed herein are exemplary and any other number of the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n can be used without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.
[21] The plate 110 including the head portion 111 and the elongated portion 113 may be suitably shaped to provide fixation to the radius bone during treatment. In an embodiment, the plate 110 is T-shaped with the head portion 111 and the elongated portion 113 having a rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 2. According to an embodiment, the head portion 111 and the elongated portion 113 form an integral structure.
[22] The plate 110 may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316 etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment the plate 110 is made of titanium. The plate 110 may be suitably dimensioned depending upon the patient’s needs.
[23] Referring to Fig. 2, the plate 110 may include a plurality of holes on its surface to engage the plate 110 with the radius bone via fasteners such as the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate 110 may include a plurality of first holes 111n1 (hereinafter referred to as the first holes 111n1) on the head portion 111 and a plurality of second holes 113n1 (hereinafter referred to as the second holes 113n1) on the elongated portion 113. In an embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the first holes 111n1 include five first holes 111n1 and the second holes 113n1 includes four second holes 113n1. The number of the first holes 111n1 and the number of second holes 113n1 correspond to the number of the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n, respectively. The first holes 111n1 and the second holes 113n1 may be circular, oblong, oval, etc. In an embodiment, the first holes 111n1 and the second holes 113n1 are circular.
[24] The first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n are used to lock the plate 110 with the radius bone. In an exemplary embodiment, the first fasteners 111n are configured to lock the head portion 111 of the plate 110 with the radius bone via the first holes 111n1 and the second fasteners 113n are configured to lock the elongated portion 113 of the plate 110 with the radius bone via the second holes 113n1. In an embodiment, the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n are screws.
[25] Referring to Fig. 2, a face 111i of the plate 110 aligns with faces 111n3 of the first fasteners 111n. Further, inner surface of the first holes 111n1 of the plate 110 mate with faces 111n2 of the first fasteners 111n.
[26] Further, a face 113i of the plate 110 mates with faces 113n3 of the second fasteners 113n and inner surface of the second holes 113n1 of the plate 110 mates with faces 113n2 of the second fasteners 113n.
[27] The first fasteners 111n may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316, etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the first fasteners 111n are made of titanium. The first fasteners 111n may also be suitably dimensioned depending upon the patient’s needs. The second fasteners 113n may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316, etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the second fasteners 113n are made of titanium. The second fasteners 113n may also be suitably dimensioned depending upon the patient’s needs. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter and the height of the second fasteners 113n are larger than the diameter and the height of the first fasteners 111n.
[28] In an embodiment, the plate 110 may include a first coupling element and a second coupling element. In an example implementation, the first coupling element is a cylindrical rod 111h. The cylindrical rod 111h may be provided between and supported by two pegs 111h1 and 111h2 provided at a first end 111k1 of the plate 110. The pegs 111h1 and 111h2 may be extruded on the head portion 111. In an example implementation, the second coupling element is a slot 111f. The slot 111f is provided at a second end 111k2 of the plate 110.
[29] Referring to Figs. 3a – 3c, the fixture 120 includes an outer plate 121, a middle plate 123 and an inner plate 125, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the nerves present in the wrist of the patient may be placed between the outer plate 121 and the plate 110.
[30] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer plate 121 is rectangular in shape, though the outer plate 121 may be of any suitable shape. The outer plate 121 has an opening 121f on a top surface of the outer plate 121 as shown. In an embodiment, the opening 121f is rectangular. The outer plate 121 includes a first surface 121a1, a second surface 121a2, a third surface 121a3, and a fourth surface 121a4. The outer plate 121 may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316, etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the outer plate 121 is made of titanium. The outer plate 121 may be suitably dimensioned depending upon the patient’s needs.
[31] In an embodiment, the outer plate 121 may include a third coupling element and a fourth coupling element. In an example implementation, the third coupling element is a cylindrical slot 121c provided on the second surface 121a2 of the outer plate 121. In an example implementation, the fourth coupling element is a peg 121e provided on the fourth surface 121a4 of the outer plate 121. In an embodiment, the peg 121e may be extruded from the fourth surface 121a4.
[32] In an embodiment, the outer plate 121 includes a first slot 121d on the first surface 121a1 of the outer plate 121 and a second slot 121g on the third surface 121a3 of the outer plate 121. In an embodiment, the first slot 121d and the second slot 121g are rectangular and have the same dimensions.
[33] In an exemplary embodiment, the middle plate 123 has a ring like shape, though the middle plate 123 may have any other suitable shape. The middle plate 123 may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316, etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the middle plate 123 is made of titanium and may be suitably dimensioned.
[34] In an embodiment, the middle plate 123 includes a first peg 123a and a second peg 123c. Further, the middle plate 123 includes a groove 123b on an inner surface of the middle plate 123.
[35] The middle plate 123 is coupled with the outer plate 121. In an embodiment, the first peg 123a is configured to engage with the first slot 121d and the second peg 123c is configured to engage with the second slot 121g. The first peg 123a and the second peg 123c are able to linearly move within the first slot 121d and the second slot 121g, respectively. Thus, the middle plate 123 is coupled with the outer plate 121 so that the middle plate 123 is linearly movable within the opening 121f.
[36] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate 125 has a disc like shape. The inner plate 125 may be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, titanium, cobalt chromium, SS316, etc. or any medical grade biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the inner plate 125 is made of titanium and may be suitably dimensioned.
[37] In an embodiment, the inner plate 125 includes a ring 125b on a side surface of the inner plate 125. The ring 125b may be extruded on the side surface of the inner plate 125.
[38] The inner plate 125 is coupled with the middle plate 123. In an embodiment, the ring 125b of the inner plate 125 engages with the groove 123b of the middle plate 123. Further, a face 125c of the inner plate 125 mates with a face 123d of the middle plate 123. Thus, the inner plate 125 is coupled with the middle plate 123 so that the inner plate 125 is rotatable within the middle plate 123.
[39] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate 125 includes a hole 125a provided on a top surface of the inner plate 125. The hole 125a is configured to allow passage of a needle such as a dialysis needle. The hole 125a may be rectangular, circular, oval, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, hole 125a is circular. Due to the coupling of the outer plate 121, the middle plate 123 and the inner plate 125 as explained, the hole 125a can be rotated by 360° and moved linearly. This enables surgeons to accurately align the hole 125a with one of the nerves present in the wrist of the patient. This makes the insertion of a needle, for example, a dialysis needle in the patient very easily and accurately.
[40] In an embodiment, the inner plate 125 may include a lip 125d provided around the periphery of the hole 125a provided on the top surface of the inner plate 125 (as shown in Fig. 4). This enables the surgeons to easily and accurately sense the presence of the hole 125a.
[41] In an embodiment, the plate 110 is coupled with the outer plate 121. In an embodiment, the first coupling element is coupled to the third coupling element forming a hinge joint and the second coupling element is coupled to the fourth coupling element forming a snap-fit lock. In the depicted embodiment, the cylindrical rod 111h mates with the cylindrical slot 121c. Further, a face 111g on the plate 110 mates a face 121b on the outer plate 121. The coupling of the cylindrical rod 111h and the cylindrical slot 121c forms a hinge joint.
[42] Further, in the depicted embodiment, the slot 111f mates with the peg 121e. The coupling of the slot 111f and the peg 121e forms a snap fit lock. Thus, the plate 110 and the fixture 120 are coupled using a hinge mechanism and a snap fit locking mechanism, according to an embodiment.
[43] During an implantation procedure, the plate 110 is fixed with the radius bone of the patient with the help of the first fasteners 111n and the second fasteners 113n. The fixture 120 is attached to the plate 110 by coupling the outer plate 121 to the plate 110 as explained. The snap-fit locking mechanism is opened by pulling the peg 121e from the slot 111f. At the same time, the fixture 120 rotates at the hinge joint (for example, the cylindrical rod 111h rotates within the cylindrical slot 121c). The nerves present in the wrist of the patient can be placed on the plate 110. The outer plate 121 is then locked with the plate 110 by pressing the peg 121e to fit into the slot 111f such that the nerves are placed between the outer plate 121 and the plate 110. The middle plate 123 is moved linearly within the opening 121f and the inner plate 125 is rotated within the middle plate 123 as needed so that the hole 125a aligns with the nerves.
[44] While performing a medical procedure requiring access to the nerves (for example, a dialysis procedure) post-implantation of the implant 100, the medical practitioner locates the hole 125a by touching the patient’s skin. The presence of the lip 125d makes it even easier to locate the hole 125a. The medical practitioner then inserts the needle through the hole 125a into the nerves. In conventional techniques, the medical practitioner may need to insert the needle repeatedly until finding the nerve. This causes severe pain to the patient. In contrast, due to the alignment of the hole 125a with the nerves, the fixture 120 enables the medical practitioner to insert the needle very accurately without causing any pain to the patient. As a result, the efficacy of the medical procedure and the patient comfort are improved.
[45] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure is/are used. , C , C , Claims:WE CLAIM
1. An implant (100) comprising:
a. a plate (110); and
b. a fixture (120) comprising:
i. an outer plate (121) coupled to the plate (110) and having an opening (121f) on a top surface of the outer plate (121);
ii. a middle plate (123) coupled to the outer plate (121) and linearly movable within the opening (121f); and
iii. an inner plate (125) coupled to the middle plate (123) and rotatable within the middle plate (123), the inner plate (125) comprising a hole (125a), provided on a top surface of the inner plate (125), configured to allow a passage of a needle.
2. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate (110) comprises a first coupling element and the outer plate (121) comprises a third coupling element coupled with the first coupling element, wherein the first coupling element and the third coupling element form a hinge joint.
3. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first coupling element comprises a cylindrical rod (111h) provided between two pegs (111h1) and (111h2) provided at a first end (111k1) of the plate (110) and the third coupling element comprises a cylindrical slot (121c), provided on a second surface (121a2) of the outer plate (121), configured to receive the cylindrical rod (111h).
4. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate (110) comprises a second coupling element and the outer plate (121) comprises a fourth coupling element coupled with the second coupling element, wherein the second coupling element and the fourth coupling element form a snap-fit lock.
5. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second coupling element comprises a slot (111f) provided at a second end (111k2) of the plate (110) and the fourth coupling element comprises a peg (121e), provided on a fourth surface (121a4) of the outer plate (121), configured to fit in the slot (111f).
6. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer plate (121) comprises a first slot (121d) and a second slot (121g) provided on a first surface (121a1) and a third surface (121a3) of the outer plate (121), respectively; wherein the middle plate (123) comprises a first peg (123a) and a second peg (123c) configured to engage with and move linearly within the first slot (121d) and the second slot (121g), respectively.
7. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ring (125b) on a side surface of the inner plate (125) engages with a groove (123b) of the middle plate (123) and a face (125c) of the inner plate (125) mates with a face (123d) of the middle plate (123).
8. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner plate (125) comprises a lip (125d) provided around a periphery of the hole (125a).
9. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate (110) comprises:
a. a head portion (111) having a plurality of first holes (111n1); and
b. an elongated portion (113) having a plurality of second holes (113n1).
10. The implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the implant (100) comprises:
a. a plurality of first fasteners (111n) configured to lock the head portion (111) with a bone via the plurality of first holes (111n1); and
b. a plurality of second fasteners (113n) configured to lock the elongated portion (113) with the bone via the plurality of second holes (113n1).