Adjustable Bone Plate Segmented Design for Fracture Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plates have fixed dimensions and lack control over bone movement, leading to issues like bone twisting, cocking, and screw backout due to inadequate adjustability and stability during fracture repair.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bone plate assembly comprising sets of first and second members with releaseable attachment and locking mechanisms, allowing for longitudinal and lateral adjustment, which can be secured using flanges, recesses, connecting rods, and biocompatible locking means to maintain the desired bone alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed-dimension bone plates are used, then the device structure is simple, but the bone alignment precision and control over bone movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into multiple segments (first member and second member) that can be independently adjusted relative to each other. The attachment means connects these segments while allowing for controlled movement, enabling precise bone alignment without requiring a completely complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment means is designed to provide dynamic adjustability during the surgical procedure, allowing the surgeon to move the bone plate segments to achieve optimal bone alignment. The locking means then freezes this dynamic adjustment once the desired position is reached, combining dynamic control with static stability.
2Ease of operation
If DCP with toed screws are used, then bone pieces can be moved closer together, but control over bone twisting and turning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment means allows the bone plate to be dynamically adjusted during application, enabling the surgeon to control bone movement and alignment in real-time. This dynamic capability provides better control over bone positioning compared to fixed DCP designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means provides immediate feedback when the bone plate reaches the desired position, allowing the surgeon to confirm proper alignment and prevent unwanted bone twisting or turning. This feedback mechanism enhances both control and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bone plates are made adjustable with multiple members, then the adaptability to different fracture patterns improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is segmented into multiple members (first member and second member) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation provides adaptability to different fracture patterns while keeping each individual member relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment means and locking means are designed to work together as a universal system that can accommodate various fracture configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same basic structure to handle different surgical scenarios without requiring entirely different components for each application.
4Reliability
If fixed bone plates are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to prevent screw backout deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable design allows the bone plate to be dynamically positioned to achieve optimal screw placement angles and positions. This dynamic adjustability during surgery enables better screw retention by ensuring screws are inserted at the most favorable angles, preventing backout while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releaseably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable.