Angled Bone Plate with Flex Tab for Distal Fracture Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional bone plates are difficult to use for fixing and reducing distal bone fractures due to the challenge of holding fracture fragments and surgical tools simultaneously, and are inadequate for comminuted fractures, often resulting in incomplete reductions and joint damage.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate with an elongated body, a head portion at an angle, alignment tabs, and a flex tab that can be pivoted to attach to the bone shaft, allowing for stabilization and alignment of fracture fragments, even in comminuted cases, using multiple fasteners to secure the plate and fragments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional bone plates are used for fixation and reduction of distal bone fractures, then the bone fragments can be fixed together, but it is extremely difficult for the surgeon to hold the bone fracture fragments and the bone plate together with one hand while attempting to attach the bone plate to the bone with a drill or other surgical tool held in the other hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate serves as an intermediary tool that the surgeon can hold with one hand while using the other hand to manipulate surgical instruments. The plate's design with finger holes and grip surfaces provides a stable intermediary structure that facilitates the reduction and fixation process without requiring the surgeon to manually hold multiple fragments simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate is divided into distinct functional segments including a head portion for distal fragment engagement, a body portion for shaft attachment, alignment tabs for positioning, and flex tabs for adaptation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional bone plates are used for fixation and reduction of comminuted fractures of distal ends of bones, then the bone fragments can be fixed together, but with such a compound fracture there are more fractured bone fragments for the surgeon to attempt to hold together with the bone plate in one hand, while attempting to hold the drill or other surgical tool in the other hand

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various fracture types including comminuted fractures. The alignment tabs can engage with multiple fragments, the flex tabs can adapt to different fracture patterns, and the multiple screw holes provide versatile fixation options, making the single device universally applicable to complex fracture scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment tabs are designed to preliminarily position and align multiple bone fragments before final fixation with screws. This preliminary action stabilizes the fragments in correct alignment, making the subsequent fixation process more reliable and easier to perform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional bone plates are used for fixation and reduction of distal bone fractures, then the bone plate can be attached to the bone, but the distal fracture fragment is not well reduced, which can result in incomplete reduction and potential damage to adjacent tendons

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprecisionVSAvoidharmful factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate features asymmetric design elements including alignment tabs positioned at specific angles and orientations to match the anatomical geometry of the distal bone fragment. This asymmetric configuration ensures precise alignment of the fragment in the correct anatomical position, preventing malalignment that could damage adjacent tendons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment tabs provide a mechanical alignment system that replaces the need for complex manual manipulation and positioning. The tabs engage with guide holes in the bone fragment to automatically position it in the correct alignment, ensuring precision without relying solely on surgical skill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9333014B2Bone fixation and reduction apparatus and method for fixation and reduction of a distal bone fracture and malunion

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ EDUARDO

AI summary

Apparatus for fixation and reduction of a fractured distal portion of a bone. A bone plate includes an elongated body portion adapted for attachment to a shaft portion of the bone, the body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a head portion connected to the body portion, and projecting therefrom at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the head portion adapted for attachment to the fractured distal portion of the bone; an alignment tab projecting from the perimeter of one of the head portion in the body portion; and a flex tab connected to a surface of an opening defined in the head portion, the flex tab being pivotable into contact with, and attachable to, the shaft portion of the bone at one of the shaft portion of the bone proximate the fractured distal portion of the bone and the fractured distal portion of the bone.