Angled Aiming Block with Camming Lock for Non-Threaded Bone Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bone plates without threaded holes pose a challenge for aligning surgical tools during fracture fixation, as existing aiming devices require threaded holes to function effectively.

Innovation Solution

An aiming block system with angled bores and a locking element that engages the bone plate's surface, allowing for precise alignment and fixation of surgical tools, even in bone plates with non-threaded holes, using a camming mechanism to secure the aiming block in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bone plate without threaded holes is used, then the bone plate can be placed on the bone, but it becomes difficult to align surgical tools for drilling pilot holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of surgical toolsVSAvoidprecision of pilot hole drilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An aiming block is introduced as an intermediary device between the bone plate and the surgical drill. The aiming block contains angled bores that align with the bone plate holes, providing a reference framework for precise drill bit placement without requiring the bone plate itself to have threaded holes or built-in alignment features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an aiming device is attached to the bone plate, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructure of aiming block system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment system is divided into separate functional components: the aiming block with its angled bores, the locking element with camming mechanism, and the bone plate with holes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly compared to an integrated solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a locking element with camming mechanism is used to secure the aiming block, then the aiming block is firmly fixed, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation of aiming blockVSAvoidattachment and detachment of aiming block

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element incorporates a camming mechanism that transitions between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic mechanism allows the aiming block to be securely locked during surgery through simple rotational movement of the locking element, while enabling easy removal by reversing the motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8641741B2Bone plate aiming block

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An aiming block fixation system for fixing an aiming block to a bone plate includes a bone plate having an outer surface and a bone-contacting surface for application to a bone. The aiming block has an upper surface, a lower surface engageable with the outer surface of the bone plate. A first angled aiming block bore extending from the upper surface to the lower surface along an axis which is at a non-zero degree angle to an axis of a bone plate hole. A locking element extends through the angled aiming block bore and the bone plate hole such that a central longitudinal axis of the locking element is oriented at a non-zero degree angle to the first axis, with the locking element including a radially outwardly extending camming arm selectively engageable with a camming surface of the first bone plate hole.