Anatomic Orthopedic Implant Geometry for Secure Bone Fixation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current designs of orthopedic implants such as plates and intramedullary nails are not anatomically correct, leading to complications like further fracturing, early device loosening, and increased risk of fractures due to stress risers, particularly in periprosthetic fractures around arthroplasty components.

Innovation Solution

A methodology using CT scan data and 3D modeling to understand the specific anatomical features of bones like the femur, tibia, and fibula, enabling the design of anatomically correct implants with optimized shape and size distribution, including plates and intramedullary nails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If non-anatomic plates are used for fracture fixation, then manufacturing and inventory management is simplified, but the plate causes soft tissue irritation due to overhang and fails to maximize bony fixation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate design simplicityVSAvoidfixation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by creating multiple plate width variants (narrow, medium, wide) based on anatomical measurements of the patient's bone. This allows the plate dimensions to be optimized for each patient's specific anatomy, resolving the contradiction between simplified manufacturing and secure fixation by using standardized manufacturing processes for multiple anatomically-specific configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by matching the plate width to the specific anatomical region and patient size. Each plate variant is designed with specific width, length, and hole positioning tailored to particular anatomical characteristics, ensuring optimal fit and fixation security for each local anatomical variation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a single plate width is used for all patients, then device complexity and inventory are reduced, but the plate is either too wide causing soft tissue irritation or too small failing to maximize fixation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate size variationVSAvoidsoft tissue irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by defining specific parameter ranges for plate width, length, and hole positioning based on anatomical measurements. Multiple plate variants are created with optimized parameters for different patient sizes, eliminating soft tissue irritation while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic parameter variation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by matching plate dimensions to specific anatomical regions and patient characteristics. Each plate variant is designed with locally-optimized dimensions for particular bone sizes and shapes, ensuring proper fit without excessive width that would cause soft tissue irritation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If non-anatomic intramedullary devices are used, then device design and manufacturing is simplified, but the device causes iatrogenic fractures during placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice design simplicityVSAvoidiatrogenic fractures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by designing intramedullary devices with curvature and cross-sectional dimensions that match anatomical measurements of the bone canal. This allows the device to conform to the natural bone geometry, preventing iatrogenic fractures during placement while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for the anatomically-specific designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If non-anatomic plates are used for periprosthetic fractures, then standardization is maintained, but the plate necessitates increased soft tissue stripping impacting healing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidsoft tissue stripping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing plate width and contour parameters to match the specific anatomical region and patient size. This anatomical matching allows the plate to fit precisely without requiring excessive soft tissue stripping for proper positioning, thereby reducing trauma to surrounding tissues and improving healing outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260083510A1Method for Optimization of Orthopedic Component Design

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH

AI summary

Methods for understanding external and internal anatomy of bones through the use of imaging data and 3D modeling to facilitate the design of anatomically correct plates, devices and implants are disclosed. In one aspect the method results in an implant or plate that includes at least one curved surface wherein a contour of the at least one curved surface corresponds to an anatomic shape of a subject. The anatomic shape of the subject being determined based on an image of the bone.