Anterior Bone Plate with Segmented Apertures for Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation devices for vertebral immobilization cause significant soft tissue and osseous tissue damage, and they are complex to use, failing to adequately provide for subsidence necessary for proper fusion while preventing axial extension.
Innovation Solution
An anterior bone plate system with a channel and oblong apertures, allowing for independent screw placement with minimal screws, featuring self-tapping screws and a locking mechanism that reduces tissue damage and facilitates subsidence for bone fusion without axial extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone fixation devices are used to immobilize vertebral bodies, then effective fixation and immobilization is achieved, but significant soft tissue and osseous tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into multiple segments with individual apertures for each vertebral body, allowing independent screw placement and minimizing the need for extensive bone removal. Each aperture can be independently accessed and secured, reducing overall tissue disruption compared to traditional single-plate designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate features localized apertures positioned at specific intervals along its length, with each aperture designed to accommodate screws for individual vertebral bodies. This localized approach allows fixation only where needed rather than requiring comprehensive bone removal and fixation across the entire plate length.
2Reliability
If traditional bone plate systems are used, then immobilization is achieved, but the system is complex to use and requires multiple screws
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate system is segmented into multiple independent aperture units along its length, where each aperture can be independently accessed, prepared, and secured with a screw. This modular segmentation simplifies the surgical procedure by allowing step-by-step fixation rather than requiring complex simultaneous multi-point attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The apertures are pre-formed in the plate at appropriate positions and orientations before surgery, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative drilling or positioning procedures. The plate is designed with predetermined screw trajectories that guide the placement process and reduce surgical complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional bone plates are used, then fixation is provided, but subsidence necessary for proper fusion is not adequately allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate incorporates controlled flexibility through its aperture design and material properties, allowing dynamic adjustment and subsidence as bone fusion progresses. The plate transitions from a rigid immobilization structure to a more compliant support as the vertebral bodies fuse, enabling the gradual settling and compression needed for successful fusion while maintaining initial stability.
4Reliability
If traditional bone plate systems are used, then vertebral bodies are secured, but axial extension of the plate is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate features asymmetric aperture positioning and orientation along its length, with apertures arranged to prevent axial extension while maintaining stabilizing fixation. The non-uniform distribution and angular orientation of apertures create a configuration that resists unwanted axial movement while allowing the necessary degrees of freedom for vertebral stabilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An anterior bone plate system is provided that promotes osseous fusion and allows subsidence while restricting extension. The bone plate system requires a minimum number of screws for securing the plate onto bone, thus reducing the amount of osseous tissue damage incurred by the bone structures to which they are attached. The system is also simple to use and provides for independent screw placement while incurring minimal soft tissue damage from lateral retraction. A method for implementing the system is also provided.