Ankle Tibia Plates With Removable Tabs And Support Bridge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle plates for tibia fractures lack customization options and often compromise between structural strength and patient comfort, as they are typically designed as a 'one size fits all' solution, leading to either discomfort or reduced structural integrity when modified to fit individual patients.
Innovation Solution
The development of an L-shaped or elongated ankle plate with variable thickness and a support bridge, featuring apertures for bone fasteners, and removable tabs that can be customized to conform to the tibia bone, providing additional fixation points and structural support while minimizing discomfort by allowing for thickness reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plate thickness is increased to improve structural strength, then the plate becomes stronger, but patient discomfort increases due to the thicker plate being attached directly to the outer surface of the bone under the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle plate features variable thickness with thicker regions (first thickness) at the proximal portion and thinner regions (second thickness) at the distal portion. This local differentiation allows the plate to provide maximum structural strength where needed (proximal area) while minimizing patient discomfort in areas where the plate contacts skin (distal area), thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ankle plate is modified to fit a particular patient (bending, shaping, cutting, thinning), then customization and fit improve, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle plate includes a removable support bridge that can be detached from the main plate body. This segmentation allows the support bridge to be removed when customization is needed, enabling surgeons to bend, shape, cut, or thin the main plate without compromising overall structural integrity, as the support bridge can be reattached or replaced as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle plate system transitions from a static, fixed-design plate to a dynamic, adaptable system where the support bridge can be selectively removed and reattached. This dynamic capability allows the plate to adapt to different patient anatomies and fracture patterns while maintaining structural strength through the reversible modification process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the distal portion thickness is reduced to improve patient comfort, then discomfort is reduced, but structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle plate features variable thickness with thicker regions (first thickness) at the proximal portion and thinner regions (second thickness) at the distal portion. This local differentiation allows the plate to provide maximum structural strength where needed (proximal area) while minimizing patient discomfort in areas where the plate contacts skin (distal area), thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bridge is pre-configured to provide structural reinforcement to the distal portion of the plate. By having this support structure in place before the plate is implanted, the distal portion can be made thinner for patient comfort while the pre-installed support bridge compensates for the reduced thickness, maintaining overall structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
Implant devices for the internal fixation of fractured bones, and more particularly to ankle plates for the tibia bone are disclosed and include an anterolateral tibia plate having an L-shaped body including a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a distal portion defining a traverse axis, and having a support bridge connected between the proximal portion and the distal portion. Implant devices disclosed also include an anterior tibia plate having an elongated first portion, a second portion that widens outward with respect to the elongated first portion, and a plurality of removable tabs attached to the outer edge of the second portion. Implant devices disclosed also include a medial tibia plate having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is configured to extend proximate to a base of medial malleolus, and has a curvature with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft. The distal portion may include a plurality of removable tabs. The removable tabs may be disposed to define an opening between the removable tabs to orient a bone fastener into a bone.