Improved locking structure for orthopedic plates

Abstract

An improved locking structure of orthopedic steel plate, comprising a steel plate, an outer sleeve and an inner core, the steel plate is provided with a through hole for the screw body to pass through, one end of the outer sleeve is fixedly connected with the steel plate, and the inner hole of the outer sleeve is coaxial with the through hole provided on the steel plate, the inner hole of the outer sleeve forms a guide channel for guiding the screw to be screwed in, and the inner core is detachably arranged in the outer sleeve, and the guide hole in the inner core is used for guiding the drilling of the drill bit. In the operation, the guide hole of the inner core is used to guide the drill bit to accurately drill, so that the lower end of the inner core is matched with the conical internal thread of the through hole, which can effectively constrain the radial deviation of the drill bit and ensure the accuracy of the drilling position. After the drilling is completed, the inner core is taken out, and then the screw is screwed in through the guide channel of the outer sleeve, the guide channel can constrain the radial displacement of the screw, so that the screw accurately passes through the through hole and is screwed into the predetermined position of the bone, avoiding the deviation of the screw into the muscle tissue, greatly improving the safety and accuracy of the operation, and facilitating the installation and disassembly operation according to the needs in the operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an improved orthopedic plate locking structure. Background Technology

[0002] In orthopedic surgery, plate locking is a common treatment for fractures and other conditions, aiming to stabilize the bone and promote healing. However, existing drilling and screw-installation techniques have limitations, which to some extent affect the safety and precision of the surgery.

[0003] Currently, the traditional orthopedic drilling and screw insertion process is quite cumbersome. During the operation, the sleeve must first be screwed into the predetermined position, and then a hole is drilled through the sleeve using an electric drill. After drilling is completed, the sleeve must be removed before the screw can be screwed in. This process seems routine, but it hides a major risk. After the sleeve is removed, the screw loses the original guiding function of the sleeve when it is screwed in.

[0004] In actual surgical settings, the location of bones and the surrounding tissues are complex. Especially when dealing with deep bones or performing minimally invasive surgeries with small incisions, the field of vision is limited and the operating space is small. When the screw loses the guidance of the sleeve, it is difficult for the surgeon to accurately screw it into the pre-drilled hole. Even a slight deviation can cause the screw to stray off the correct path and into the muscle tissue.

[0005] Screws embedded in muscle tissue can cause a series of serious problems. On the one hand, it can cause direct mechanical damage to the muscle tissue, disrupting its normal structure and function and affecting the patient's postoperative limb mobility. On the other hand, this situation may also lead to local inflammatory reactions, increasing the risk of infection, prolonging the patient's recovery period, and may even require a second surgery to correct it, causing great pain and financial burden to the patient.

[0006] In summary, existing orthopedic locking plate technology has significant shortcomings in the connection between the sleeve and the screw insertion. A new technical solution is urgently needed to address the problem of screws easily running into muscle tissue due to loss of guidance, in order to improve the safety and effectiveness of the surgery and protect the patient's health. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an improved orthopedic plate locking structure that, in view of the above-mentioned existing technology, provides a dual-guided design with a detachable inner core and outer sleeve, thereby maintaining a precise guide channel throughout the drilling and screw-in stages, ensuring that the screw is anchored to the bone along a predetermined path after passing through the hole in the steel plate, and avoiding the screw from shifting to the soft tissue due to lack of guidance.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: the improved orthopedic plate locking structure, including...

[0009] A steel plate having at least one through hole through which a screw can pass;

[0010] The outer sleeve has one end fixedly connected to the steel plate and has an inner hole that runs vertically through it. The inner hole is coaxial with the through hole and forms a guide channel for guiding the screw to be screwed in.

[0011] The inner core is detachably disposed inside the outer sleeve, and the inner core has a through guide hole formed inside to guide the drill bit to drill.

[0012] After the inner core is removed, the screw can pass through the perforation via the guide channel of the outer sleeve and be screwed into the human bone to lock the steel plate.

[0013] To improve the stability of the connection between the outer sleeve and the steel plate, and to facilitate their installation or disassembly, preferably, a countersunk hole corresponding to the through hole is formed on the end face of the steel plate, and an internal thread is formed on the inner circumference of the countersunk hole. The end of the outer sleeve is provided with an external thread, and the external thread and the internal thread are threaded together to achieve a fixed connection.

[0014] In order to better match the internal thread in the countersunk hole with the external thread at the end of the outer sleeve and to enhance the stability of the threaded connection, preferably, the inner circumference of the countersunk hole has a tapered structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, and the internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tapered structure.

[0015] To ensure that the guide channel of the outer sleeve can effectively constrain the radial displacement of the screw and ensure that the screw can be accurately screwed in along a preset path, preferably, the inner diameter of the outer sleeve is adapted to the maximum diameter of the screw tail to constrain the radial displacement of the screw within the guide channel.

[0016] To better fit the lower end of the inner core and improve its positioning and guiding effect, while also allowing for better screw insertion and locking, preferably, the inner circumference of the perforation has a tapered structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. The inner circumferential surface of this tapered structure is provided with a tapered internal thread, and the screw tail forms a tapered external thread that matches the tapered internal thread. The taper of the tapered external thread is consistent with the taper of the tapered internal thread.

[0017] To improve the stability of the inner core during drilling and limit its radial displacement, preferably, the lower outer diameter of the inner core is adapted to the minimum inner diameter of the tapered internal thread, and the radial constraint force of the tapered internal thread is used to limit the radial displacement of the lower end of the inner core.

[0018] In order to enable the inner core to move smoothly within the outer sleeve and maintain good guidance, preferably, the upper outer periphery of the inner core extends outward to form an annular guide surface. The outer diameter of the guide surface is adapted to the inner diameter of the outer sleeve, and the guide surface is clearance-fitted with the side wall of the inner hole to limit the radial displacement of the inner core and guide its movement along the axis.

[0019] To facilitate the doctor's easier removal of the inner core from the outer sleeve after drilling, preferably, the top of the inner core extends beyond the top of the outer sleeve to form an exposed portion that is easy for the operator to grasp and disassemble.

[0020] To enable doctors to operate the inner core more stably and conveniently and improve surgical efficiency, preferably, the portion of the inner core exposed at the top of the outer sleeve also has a handle that extends laterally for easy gripping and control.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: By fixing the outer sleeve to the steel plate and coaxially aligning the inner hole of the outer sleeve with the perforation of the steel plate, and by incorporating a detachable inner core within the outer sleeve, the drill bit is precisely guided through the guide hole of the inner core. The outer sleeve is retained as a guide channel for the screw throughout its operation, completely overcoming the drawbacks of traditional technologies where the screw loses its guiding constraint after removing the sleeve. The guide channel design, with the inner hole of the outer sleeve matching the screw tail diameter, further constrains the radial displacement and axial path of the screw, ensuring that it is strictly screwed into the pre-drilled hole in the bone after passing through the perforation of the steel plate, preventing the screw from shifting into muscle or soft tissue and causing injury. The detachable design of the inner core simplifies the operation process; only the inner core needs to be removed to retain the guiding function of the outer sleeve, ensuring drilling accuracy while avoiding the cumbersome step of removing the sleeve required for screw tightening in traditional technologies. This design significantly reduces the risk of screw misimplantation due to lack of guidance during surgery, reduces postoperative complications such as infection and secondary surgery, and provides an innovative solution for the precision and reliability of orthopedic internal fixation devices. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of this embodiment (combined state during the drilling stage);

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of this embodiment (combined state during the screw-in stage);

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the decomposed state structure of this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of this embodiment (combined state during the drilling stage);

[0026] Figure 5This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of this embodiment (combined state during the screw-in stage). Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] This embodiment focuses on an improved orthopedic plate locking structure, aiming to solve the problem that screws tend to deviate from the hole and run into muscle tissue in existing orthopedic drilling and screw installation techniques, thereby improving the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.

[0029] Figures 1-5 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of this embodiment. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure in this embodiment mainly includes a steel plate 1, screws 2, outer sleeve 3, and inner core 4. The components, connection methods, and working principles of the locking structure are described in detail below.

[0030] Steel plate 1, reference Figure 3 As shown, steel plate 1 is the basic component of the entire locking structure. It has at least one through hole 1a through which the screw body 21 of the screw 2 passes. On the end face of steel plate 1, above each through hole 1a, a countersunk hole 1b is formed. An internal thread 1b1 is formed on the inner circumference of the countersunk hole 1b. The inner circumference of the countersunk hole 1b can be designed as a tapered structure, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with the internal thread 1b1 formed on the inner circumferential surface of this tapered structure. However, the inner circumference of the countersunk hole 1b shown in the attached figure is not tapered but cylindrical. A tapered inner circumference is the optimal solution and is not shown in the provided attached figure. The inner circumference of the through hole 1a also has a tapered structure, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, and the inner circumferential surface of this tapered structure has a tapered internal thread 1a1.

[0031] Outerwear tube 3, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, one end of the outer sleeve 3 is fixedly connected to the steel plate 1 and forms a through-hole 3a. The inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3 is coaxially arranged with the through hole 1a, forming a guide channel for guiding the screw 2 to be screwed in. The end of the outer sleeve 3 is provided with an external thread 3b, which is threadedly engaged with the internal thread 1b1 on the inner circumference of the countersunk hole 1b of the steel plate 1, thereby realizing the fixed connection between the outer sleeve 3 and the steel plate 1. In addition, the diameter of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3 is adapted to the maximum diameter of the screw tail 22, which can effectively constrain the radial displacement of the screw 2 in the guide channel, ensuring that the screw 2 will not deviate radially during the screwing process and improving the screw screwing accuracy.

[0032] Inner core 4, reference Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the inner core 4 is detachably housed within the outer sleeve 3. A through-hole 4a is formed inside the inner core 4, which guides the drill bit during the drilling phase, ensuring accurate drilling position. The lower outer diameter of the inner core 4 matches the minimum inner diameter of the tapered internal thread 1a1 of the through hole 1a. The radial constraint force of the tapered internal thread 1a1 restricts radial displacement of the lower end of the inner core 4, further improving drilling accuracy. The upper circumference of the inner core 4 extends outward to form an annular guide surface 4b. The outer diameter of the guide surface 4b matches the diameter of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3, and the guide surface 4b has a clearance fit with the sidewall of the inner hole 3a. This not only restricts radial displacement of the inner core 4 but also guides its movement along the axis, facilitating easy removal of the inner core 4 after drilling. The top of the inner core 4 extends beyond the top of the outer sleeve 3, forming an exposed portion for easy gripping and disassembly by the operator. To make it easier to hold and manipulate, the inner core 4 has a handle 4c extending laterally from the top of the outer sleeve 3, allowing doctors to grasp the inner core 4 more easily and stably and remove it from the outer sleeve 3.

[0033] Screw 2, Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, screw 2 is a key component for fixing the steel plate 1 to the bone, and it includes a screw body 21 and a screw tail 22. The screw body 21 has threads on its surface, which are used to engage with the inner wall of the drilled hole in the bone, thereby firmly screwing the screw 2 into the bone. The screw tail 22 of screw 2 also has a tapered external thread 2a that matches the tapered internal thread 1a1. The diameter of the screw body 21 also matches the through hole 1a of the steel plate 1 to ensure that the screw body (21) can pass smoothly through the through hole 1a. The maximum diameter of the screw tail 22 matches the diameter of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3. When the screw 2 is screwed in through the guide channel of the outer sleeve 3, the side wall of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3 can provide radial restraint to the screw tail 22 to prevent the screw 2 from shifting during the screwing process.

[0034] The specific connection methods for each component are as follows:

[0035] refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the steel plate 1 and the outer sleeve 3 are connected by threads, that is, the external thread 3b at the end of the outer sleeve 3 is screwed into the internal thread 1b1 on the inner circumference of the countersunk hole 1b of the steel plate 1, thus achieving a stable connection between the two. The inner core 4 is movably set inside the outer sleeve 3. The guide surface 4b of the inner core 4 is clearance-fitted with the side wall of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3, so that the inner core 4 can move along the axial direction inside the outer sleeve 3, while ensuring the relative stability of its radial position. In use, the inner core 4 is first placed into the outer sleeve 3. After drilling, the inner core 4 is removed from the outer sleeve 3 by grasping the exposed part at the top of the inner core 4 or the handle 4c. At this time, the screw 2 can be passed through the guide channel of the outer sleeve 3 through the through hole 1a and screwed into the human bone, thereby locking the steel plate 1 to the bone.

[0036] The working principle of this improved orthopedic plate locking structure is as follows:

[0037] Drilling Stage: During orthopedic surgery, the steel plate 1 is first placed at a suitable position on the bone surface to be fixed. Then, the outer sleeve 3 is threaded to the internal thread 1b1 within the countersunk hole 1b of the steel plate 1 via its external thread 3b, securing the outer sleeve 3 firmly to the steel plate 1. The inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3 is coaxial with the through hole 1a of the steel plate 1. Next, the inner core 4 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3. The guide surface 4b of the inner core 4 is clearance-fitted with the side wall of the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3, guiding the inner core 4 smoothly into position along the axial direction. The lower end of the inner core 4 is fitted with the tapered internal thread 1a1 of the through hole 1a, serving to position and stabilize the inner core 4. At this point, the drill bit is used for drilling through the guide hole 4a of the inner core 4. Due to the fit between the guide hole 4a and the inner core 4 with the through hole 1a and the outer sleeve 3, the radial offset of the drill bit is effectively constrained, ensuring accurate drilling position and guaranteeing that the screw 2 can be smoothly screwed into the predetermined position in the bone.

[0038] Screw 2 insertion stage: After drilling, the doctor removes the inner core 4 from the outer sleeve 3 by grasping the exposed part of the top of the inner core 4 or the handle 4c. At this time, the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3 forms a clear guide channel, aligning the screw body 21 of the screw 2 with the inner hole 3a of the outer sleeve 3. Since the diameter of the inner hole 3a matches the maximum diameter of the screw tail 22, it can further constrain the radial displacement of the screw 2 during insertion. The doctor uses a tool to pass the screw 2 through the guide channel of the outer sleeve 3 through the perforation 1a of the steel plate 1 and screw it into the previously drilled bone hole. As the screw 2 is continuously screwed in, the steel plate 1 is finally firmly locked to the bone, completing the fixation of the fracture site.

[0039] It should be noted that in the description of this embodiment, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "upper," and "lower," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are merely for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. The terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. An improved orthopedic plate locking structure, characterized in that: include A steel plate (1) having at least one through hole (1a) through which the body (21) of a screw (2) passes; The outer sleeve (3) is fixedly connected to the steel plate (1) at one end and has an inner hole (3a) that runs through the upper and lower parts. The inner hole (3a) is coaxially arranged with the through hole (1a) and the inner hole (3a) forms a guide channel for guiding the screw (2) to be screwed in. The inner core (4) is detachably disposed inside the outer sleeve (3). The inner core (4) has a guide hole (4a) that runs vertically through it to guide the drill bit to drill. After the inner core (4) is removed, the screw (2) can pass through the guide channel of the outer sleeve (3) through the perforation (1a) and be screwed into the human bone to lock the steel plate (1).

2. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steel plate (1) has a countersunk hole (1b) corresponding to the through hole (1a) on its end face. The inner circumference of the countersunk hole (1b) has an internal thread (1b1). The end of the outer sleeve (3) is provided with an external thread (3b). The external thread (3b) and the internal thread (1b1) are threaded together to achieve a fixed connection.

3. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner circumference of the countersunk hole (1b) has a tapered structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, and the internal thread (1b1) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tapered structure.

4. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter (3a) of the outer sleeve (3) is adapted to the maximum diameter of the screw tail (22) of the screw (2) to constrain the radial displacement of the screw (2) in the guide channel.

5. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The inner circumference of the perforation (1a) has a tapered structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. The inner circumferential surface of the tapered structure is provided with a tapered internal thread (1a1). The screw tail (22) of the screw (2) is formed with a tapered external thread (2a) that is adapted to the tapered internal thread (1a1). The taper of the tapered external thread (2a) is consistent with the taper of the tapered internal thread (1a1).

6. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower outer diameter of the inner core (4) is adapted to the minimum inner diameter of the tapered internal thread (1a1), and the radial constraint force of the tapered internal thread (1a1) is used to limit the radial displacement of the lower end of the inner core (4).

7. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper outer periphery of the inner core (4) extends outward to form an annular guide surface (4b). The outer diameter of the guide surface (4b) is adapted to the diameter of the inner hole (3a) of the outer sleeve (3). The guide surface (4b) and the side wall of the inner hole (3a) are in clearance fit to limit the radial displacement of the inner core (4) and guide it to move along the axis.

8. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the inner core (4) extends beyond the top of the outer sleeve (3) to form an exposed portion that is easy for the operator to grasp and disassemble.

9. The improved orthopedic plate locking structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner core (4) has a handle (4c) extending laterally from the top of the outer sleeve (3) for easy gripping and operation.

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