fig1 shows a first embodiment of the osteotomy plate 10 in accordance with the invention , which has a plate member with a bilateral double tabbed footprint , with a first set of tabs 12 or wings flanking a second set of tabs 14 or wings with a slight incurve 16 between the tab members on either side of the medial axis 18 . each tab includes an opening 20 for a screw or other fastening means , which could , for example , include a peg or wire . the openings 20 also include internal threads 24 or other means to enable a locking relation to the screw 22 , and optionally grooves 26 in the threads , which receive a drill guide ( shown in fig3 ). the threads of the openings receive the external threads on locking screws that can be used with the osteotomy plate . the openings also can receive variable locking assembly 30 as is shown in fig8 . advantageously , the variable locking assembly 30 includes an externally threaded locking insert 32 , which comprises a biocompatible material that is softer than the corresponding screw head 34 which is threaded into the locking insert at a desired angle so as to seat the screw 33 in the plate at a desired angle . the plate further includes a support member generally at 40 , which can be integral to the plate member as is shown in the second embodiment , or can be modular as is illustrated in the first embodiment of the invention . in the modular version , the plate 10 includes a central opening 42 that receives a necked portion 44 of the support member 40 . the necked portion is joined to a stop 46 that has at least a width that is wider than the central opening 42 so as to hold the support relative to the plate member 10 . the stop can be a simple screw having a circular or round head 48 as is shown in fig1 - 3 , or can be a more complex shape such as the ratcheting ellipse version 50 shown with an elliptical slot 51 in fig4 . in the modification shown in fig3 , the central opening is a keyhole 43 . in this version ; the necked portion 44 of the support member 40 has a width that is smaller than the keyhole 43 , and the stop 46 has a width that is greater than the slot 45 , but which is smaller than the slot portion 45 of the keyhole 43 to enable the first support member to movably engage the plate and the stop 46 is smaller than the enlarged opening 47 in the keyhole 43 to allow the stop to be inserted through this area . in the ratcheting version of the present invention shown in fig4 , the stop is an round shape 50 that includes inverted teeth 52 which enable the elliptical support 54 to be used for distraction of the bone and to stop the backward rotation of the support when the stop 50 is engaged in a circular area 55 within the elliptical central opening 56 . in a second embodiment , the plate 110 has the same bilateral double tabbed footprint as the first embodiment , with a first set of tabs 112 or wings flanking a second set of tabs 114 or wings with a slight incurve 116 between the tab members on either side of the medial axis 118 . again , each tab includes an opening 120 for a screw or other fastening means and the openings 120 also include internal threads 124 which can selectably receive a fixed angle locking screw , a variable angle locking screw or a variable angle non - locking screw . in this embodiment , the bottom side of the plate 110 includes fixed support means 140 that are advantageously , a pair of flange members 142 that can extend parallel in the direction of either the long axis 144 or the medial axis 146 of the plate . the flanges define a channel 148 , which allows for bone in - growth . fig7 illustrates the plate in cross - section along the longitudinal axis . as can be seen the plate has a generally uniform thickness between the inward surface 27 which opposes and optimally , but not necessarily engages the bones , and the outward surface 29 . the inward surface 27 of the plate 10 includes a generally uniform radius of curvature 34 , 36 along both the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction but in an advantageous modification of the invention , the plate includes a bend in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the area of the support member , and extending outward in either direction from there along the longitudinal axis , the axis is again straight . the amount of bend will depend on the length of this section of the plate . if this section is 1 mm , the bend is from about 1 ° to about 6 °, and preferably about 2 ° to about 3 °, with 3 mm being from about 4 ° to about 10 °, and 5 mm being from about 5 ° to about 12 . 5 °, and 7 mm being from about 6 to about 15 °. the screws useful with the plate of the present invention are self - starting , self - tapping screws including the option of partial or full cannulation . the screws include a cutting end having multiple flutes , and preferably 2 or 3 flutes about a conical recess . the screws further include a partial taper of the inner diameter in the proximal end over the first several thread turns , for example over 2 - 8 , and preferably over 3 - 5 turns in order to increase the fatigue life of the screw as well as providing potential physiological advantages in use . the screws further include a torque driving recess . the plate is formed of a biocompatible material , and preferably a metal such as surgical grade stainless steel , titanium or a titanium alloy . preferably , the plate has a thickness of between about 1 . 0 and 2 . 0 millimeters , more preferably between about 1 . 25 and 1 . 75 millimeters , and most preferably between about 1 . 4 and 1 . 6 millimeters . the plate includes a continuous rounded outer edge 41 , which is defined between the top and the bottom surface . in addition , the plate 10 can include a one or more small through holes sized to receive a k - wire or other similar guide wire . while in accordance with the patent statutes the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth , the scope of the invention is not limited thereto , but rather by the scope of the attached claims .
an orthopedic plate is designed for opening osteotomies and includes a contoured double tabbed or butterfly shaped plate portion which can accommodate selective fixation including locking , variable locking and non - locking . the plate also includes a centrally located osteotomy support that maintains the opening between bone segments at a spaced relationship . the support can be integral to the plate , or can be modular , i . e . a separate and adjustable segment which can be changed to accommodate the desired geometry of the osteotomy site .