Modular-Type Bone Plate For Osteosynthesis Capable of Adjusting Screw Placement Angle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular fracture fixation plate that provides sufficient locking strength even when a fracture fixation screw is implanted at an arbitrary angle axis to match the shape of a bone that has fractured or damaged, and prevents a decrease in stability due to repeated implantation attempts. The plate comprises: a main plate (100) having one or more block fastening holes (110) formed therein that penetrate the upper and lower surfaces; and a screw block (200) that is inserted into the block fastening holes (110) of the main plate (100) and has a screw hole (210) formed therein that can be screw-coupled with the screw head of a fracture fixation screw implanted at a specific angle axis. The plate is characterized by selecting one or more of the screw blocks (200) each having screw holes (210) of various angle axes formed therein, and inserting and fastening them into one or more of the block fastening holes (110) of the main plate (100).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fracture fixation plate used to fix and stabilize a bone that has fractured or been damaged, and more specifically, to an assembly-type fracture fixation plate in which a fracture fixation screw can be implanted at an arbitrary angle axis to match the shape of the bone that has fractured or been damaged. Background Technology

[0002] When a bone is deformed, such as by being broken or cracked, due to an external impact to the body, the bone must be restored to its original position and fixed until the damaged area recovers. A fracture fixation plate is a medical device used in conjunction with a fracture fixation screw to fix and stabilize a bone that has been deformed due to such a fracture or injury.

[0003] Generally, fracture fixation plates are formed in the shape of a metal plate of a certain length and thickness with multiple screw holes penetrating from top to bottom. They are manufactured in various forms to correspond to the shape of specific bone areas where fractures may occur, and are supplied according to the manufacturer's own specifications for versatility and ease of production.

[0004] Meanwhile, fracture fixation screws used with fracture fixation plates can be classified into those with no threads on the screw head and those with threads. The method of fixing the bone and the fracture fixation plate using a fracture fixation screw with a threadless screw head is called the compression plate method, and the method of using a fracture fixation screw with a threaded screw head is called the locking plate method.

[0005] The compression plate method had a problem in that there was no separate coupling relationship between the screw hole of the fracture fixation plate and the screw head of the fracture fixation screw, and the fracture fixation plate was fixed to the bone as the screw head of the fracture fixation screw implanted in the bone compressed the screw hole, so the compressive force of the fracture fixation screw was transmitted directly to the bone through the fracture fixation plate.

[0006] The locking metal plate method is a method of fixing the fracture fixation plate to the bone by ultimately screwing together the screw groove formed in the screw hole of the fracture fixation plate and the screw thread formed on the screw head of the fracture fixation screw, which can significantly reduce the compressive force transmitted to the bone and provide stable fixation.

[0007] Reducing the compressive force transmitted to the bone means that the pressure on the cortical bone, which affects bone growth and regeneration, is decreased. Since this is highly advantageous for bone regeneration, the locked metal plate method is mostly applied these days.

[0008] However, in the case of the locked plate method, since the screw hole of the fracture fixation plate and the screw head of the fracture fixation screw are ultimately screw-connected, the insertion direction of the fracture fixation screw is fixed, unlike the compression plate method. This leads to a significant problem in that the fracture fixation screw cannot be inserted according to the operator's intention based on the patient's condition, such as the fracture site or fracture type.

[0009] To address this, Korean Published Patent No. 10-2010-0058483, “Bone Plate System with Freely Adjustable Angle,” proposes a locking screw having a head that is at least partially spherical and a screw thread formed on the head that has a profile following an arc-shaped radius of curvature.

[0010] This type of locking screw is called a variable angle screw or multiple axis screw. It can provide a screw connection between the screw hole of the fracture fixation plate and the head of the locking screw even if the operator implants the locking screw into the bone at any angle, and commercially available products are known to be able to adjust the implantation angle up to 20 degrees.

[0011] However, according to “Concept of Variable Angle Locking-Evolution and Mechanical Evaluation of a Recent Technology” published in the “Journal of Orthopaedic Research” in July 2015, this type of variable angle screw is described as having a problem where the locking strength between the screw hole of the fracture fixation plate and the screw head decreases as the insertion angle increases, resulting in failure to properly connect and detachment. The final conclusion emphasized that the locking strength of the screw may be insufficient when inserted at an angle of 5 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less.

[0012] In addition, according to “Effect of Screw Angulation and Multiple Insertions on Load-To-Failure of Polyaxial Locking System,” published on December 11, 2023, via “PLOS ONE” (journals.plos.org), it is concluded that when the same multiaxial screw is repeatedly inserted into the same screw hole, the stability of the screw is reduced, and there is a high possibility of breakage or dislodgement; therefore, off-axis insertion should be minimized and repeated insertion attempts should be avoided. The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a modular fracture fixation plate that provides sufficient locking strength even when a fracture fixation screw is implanted at an arbitrary angle axis to match the shape of the bone where a fracture or injury has occurred, and prevents a decrease in stability caused by repeated implantation attempts. means of solving the problem

[0014] A modular fracture fixation plate capable of adjusting the screw implantation angle to solve the above-mentioned problem comprises: a main plate (100) having one or more block fastening holes (110) formed therein that penetrate the upper and lower surfaces; and a screw block (200) having a screw hole (210) formed therein that is inserted into the block fastening holes (110) of the main plate (100) and can be screw-coupled with the screw head of a fracture fixation screw implanted at a specific angle axis; wherein one or more of the screw blocks (200) each having a screw hole (210) of various angle axes are selected and inserted into one or more of the block fastening holes (110) of the main plate (100) to be fastened.

[0015] At this time, the block fastener (110) has an inner surface that narrows from top to bottom, and the screw block (200) may have an outer surface that narrows from top to bottom with a slope identical to the slope of the inner surface of the block fastener (110).

[0016] Additionally, one or more wedge grooves (130) are formed at a certain depth along the inner circumference of the block fastening member (110), and one or more protruding wedges corresponding to the wedge grooves (130) of the block fastening member (110) may be formed along the outer circumference of the screw block (200).

[0017] In addition, the block fastener (100) may form a polygonal horizontal cross-section, and the screw block (200) may form a polygonal horizontal cross-section corresponding to the block fastener (110).

[0018] Meanwhile, the block fastening member (110) may have a circular horizontal cross-section, and the screw block (200) may have a circular horizontal cross-section corresponding to the block fastening member (110).

[0019] At this time, one or more vertical convex portions (120) protruding inwardly from the inner surface are formed in the block fastening member (110), and one or more vertical concave portions (220) that are recessed inwardly from the outer surface are formed in the screw block (200) corresponding to the vertical protrusions (120) of the block fastening member (110). Effects of the invention

[0020] The present invention comprises a main plate (100) having a block fastening member (110) formed therein and a screw block (200) inserted into the block fastening member (110), and has a plurality of screw blocks (200) each having a screw hole (210) formed at various angles, so that a screw block (200) having a screw hole (210) corresponding to the insertion angle of a fracture fixation screw according to the shape of the bone where a fracture or injury occurred can be selected and inserted into the block fastening member (110) of the main plate (100), thereby providing sufficient locking strength even when a fracture fixation screw is inserted at any angle, and preventing a decrease in stability due to repeated insertion attempts.

[0021] In addition, the present invention has another advantage in that it can prevent the screw block (200) from coming off the block fastening member (110) when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member (110) of the main plate (100) by forming a wedge groove (130) on the inner surface of the block fastening member (110) of the main plate (100) and forming a protruding wedge (230) corresponding to the wedge groove (130) on the outer surface of the screw block (200).

[0022] In addition, the present invention has another advantage in that, when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member (110) of the main plate (100), the screw block (200) is formed with a horizontal cross-section of a polygonal shape corresponding to each other, or each is formed with a circular cross-section, wherein a vertical protrusion (120) protruding inward is formed on the inner surface of the block fastening member (110), and a vertical concave portion (220) corresponding to the vertical protrusion (120) is formed on the outer surface of the screw block (200), thereby preventing the screw block (200) from rotating due to external force, etc., and allowing it to be fixed in a specific direction. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled fracture fixation plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled fracture fixation plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prefabricated fracture fixation plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main plate and a screw block according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the main plate and the screw block according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed below are illustrative for the purpose of clarifying the features and effects of the present invention and methods for achieving them, and are not intended to be limited to specific embodiments; they should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0025] In the embodiments according to the present invention, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] The terms used in the embodiments according to the present invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments according to the present invention, and singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined in the embodiments according to the present invention, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person with general knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0028] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the embodiments according to the present invention.

[0030] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the prefabricated fracture fixation plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main plate (100) having a block fastening hole formed therein penetrating the upper and lower surfaces, and a screw block (200) inserted into the block fastening hole.

[0032] At this time, a screw hole (210) penetrating from top to bottom is formed in the center of the screw block (200), and a screw groove (not shown in the drawing) corresponding to the screw thread formed on the screw head of a fracture fixation screw (not shown in the drawing) is formed on the inner surface of the screw hole (210).

[0033] The above screw block (200) is formed with a screw hole (210) having an angle axis corresponding to a specific angle so that when a fracture fixation screw is inserted at a specific angle, it can be accurately screwed with the screw head of the fracture fixation screw, and multiple screw holes are provided to match various angle axes.

[0034] That is, for example, a plurality of screw blocks (200) are manufactured and provided, each having a screw hole (210) formed with an angle axis subdivided in 1° increments from 0° to 45° based on the vertical axis direction, and a screw block (200) having a screw hole (210) formed with an angle axis corresponding to the optimal insertion angle of the fracture fixation screw determined according to the shape of the bone where the fracture or damage occurred is selected and inserted into the main plate (100) to assemble the fracture fixation plate.

[0035] Meanwhile, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the block fastening member formed on the main plate (100) has a circular horizontal cross-section, and a vertical protrusion (120) protruding inwardly is formed on the inner surface.

[0036] In addition, the screw block (200) also has a circular horizontal cross-section corresponding to the block fastening portion, and a vertical concave portion (220) is formed on the outer surface so as to be concave inwardly corresponding to the vertical protrusion (120).

[0037] In this way, by forming a vertical protrusion (120) and a vertical concave portion (220) on the block fastening portion of the main plate (100) and the screw block (200), respectively, when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening portion, the vertical protrusion (120) and the vertical concave portion (220) engage, so that the screw block (200) can be fixed in a specific direction without rotating.

[0038] When only one vertical protrusion (120) and one vertical recess (220) are formed on the block fastening portion of the main plate (100) and the screw block (200), respectively, the direction in which the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening portion is fixed in only one direction. However, it may be considered to form multiple vertical protrusions (120) and vertical recesses (220) so that the screw block (200) can be inserted in multiple directions.

[0039] That is, as in the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, three vertical protrusions (120) are formed at regular intervals along the inner surface of the block fastening portion of the main plate (100), and three vertical concave portions (220) corresponding to the three vertical protrusions (120) are formed on the outer surface of the screw block (200).

[0040] In this way, by forming three vertical protrusions (120) and three vertical concave portions (220) respectively, the screw block (200) can be inserted into the block fastening portion of the main plate (100) in one of three directions, and the degree to which the screw block (200) is fixed without rotating can be further strengthened.

[0041] Meanwhile, in the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, a block fastening member is disclosed in which eight vertical protrusions (120) are formed on the inner surface at regular intervals, and a screw block (200) is disclosed in which eight vertical concave portions (220) are formed on the outer surface at regular intervals to correspond thereto. Accordingly, the choice of the direction in which the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member is widened to one of eight directions, and the rotational fixing force can also be further strengthened.

[0042] In the above embodiments, we examined cases where the block fastener and the screw block (200) of the main plate (100) are fixed in a specific direction through the vertical protrusion (120) and the vertical concave portion (220), respectively, in a horizontal cross section that is basically circular in shape. However, the block fastener and the screw block (200) may be configured so that the screw block (200) can be fixed in a specific direction by forming the horizontal cross section of a polygonal shape, such as a square or a pentagon.

[0043] Meanwhile, when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening portion of the main plate (100) to assemble the fracture fixation plate, a configuration should also be considered to ensure that the screw block (200) is firmly fastened without coming out of the block fastening portion.

[0044] That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the block fastening member is formed such that the circumference of the inner surface narrows from top to bottom, and the screw block (200) is also formed such that the circumference of the outer surface narrows from top to bottom in correspondence with the block fastening member, so that when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member, the screw block (200) does not fall downward and can be seated in the block fastening member.

[0045] At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member, the lower surface of the screw block (200) may be configured to be positioned higher than the lower surface of the main plate (100). In this way, when the lower surface of the screw block (200) is positioned higher, the lower surface of the screw block (200) is prevented from compressing the bone, thereby improving the bone regenerative capacity.

[0046] Meanwhile, when the screw block (200) is inserted into the block fastening member, a configuration is also required to prevent the screw block (200) from being separated upward from the block fastening member. To this end, as shown in FIG. 4, a wedge groove (130) is formed to a certain depth along the inner circumference of the block fastening member, and a protruding wedge corresponding to the wedge groove (130) is formed along the outer circumference of the screw block (200).

[0047] In this way, by pressing the screw block (200) with the protruding wedge formed thereon from above and inserting it into the block fastening member in which the wedge groove (130) is formed, the protruding wedge of the screw block (200) catches on the wedge groove (130) of the block fastening member and can be firmly fixed without being separated upward.

[0048] At this time, one or more wedges may be formed for the wedge groove (130) of the block fastening member and the protruding wedge of the screw block (200), taking into account the thickness and fastening force of the block fastening member and the screw block (200).

[0049] As described above, by configuring the prefabricated fracture fixation plate, the insertion angle of the fracture fixation screw can be freely determined according to the shape of the bone where the fracture or damage occurred, and a screw block (200) suitable for this can be selected and inserted into the block attachment hole (110) of the main plate (100). This allows for sufficient locking strength even when the fracture fixation screw is inserted at an arbitrary angle, and also prevents a decrease in stability even when repeated insertion attempts are made. Furthermore, the screw block (200) can be fixed in a specific direction without rotating within the block attachment hole (110) of the main plate (100), and the screw block (200) can be firmly attached without protruding downward or separating upward from the block attachment hole (110) of the main plate (100).

[0051] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, this is merely an illustrative description of preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Therefore, a person with general knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains may provide various modifications within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention without departing from its scope. Explanation of the symbols

[0052] 100 : Main Plate 110: Block fastener 120 : Vertical protrusion 130 : Wedge groove 200 : Screw block 210: Screw hole 220 : Vertical depression 230 : Protruding wedge

Claims

Claim 1 A main plate (100) having one or more block fastening holes (110) formed therein that penetrate the upper and lower surfaces; and a screw block (200) that is inserted into the block fastening member (110) of the main plate (100) and has a screw hole (210) formed at an angle axis that can be screw-coupled with the screw head of a fracture fixation screw implanted at a specific angle axis; wherein the block fastening member (110) has an inner surface having a circumference that narrows from top to bottom, and is provided with one or more wedge grooves (130) of a certain depth with a step formed upward along the circumference of the inner surface, and has one or more vertical protrusions (120) formed convexly inwardly from the inner surface, forming a circular horizontal cross-section; and the screw block (200) has an outer surface having a circumference that narrows from top to bottom and has the same slope as the inner surface slope of the block fastening member (110), and along the circumference of the outer surface the wedge of the block fastening member (110) A protruding wedge (230) having a downward step corresponding to a groove (130) is provided in the same number and spacing as the number of wedge grooves (130) formed, and a circular horizontal cross-section corresponding to the block fastening member (110) is formed, and a vertical concave portion (220) that is concave inward from the outer surface corresponding to the vertical protrusion (120) of the block fastening member (110) is formed in the same number and spacing as the vertical protrusion (120); and one or more of the multiple screw blocks (200) each having screw holes (210) of various angle axes are selected and inserted from above downward into one or more of the multiple block fastening members (110) of the main plate (100) so that the step of the wedge groove (130) and the step of the protruding wedge (230) come into contact, thereby forming an assembly type capable of adjusting the screw insertion angle Fracture fixation plate. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete

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