Arthrodesis Plate With Wave-Shaped Cross-Section for Medial Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional arthrodesis plates for joint stiffening, particularly on finger joints, face challenges in minimally invasive and secure anchoring, risking injury to tendons due to the need for palmar or dorsal approaches, and existing methods do not provide a strong and reliable press-fit connection.

Innovation Solution

An arthrodesis plate with mechanically rigidly connected proximal and distal anchoring areas featuring a wave-shaped sagittal cross-section, allowing for medial or lateral insertion into a flat slot in the bone, creating a strong angle-stable and pull-out resistant connection via press fit, minimizing tendon trauma and enhancing anchoring stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional arthrodesis plates are anchored using palmar or dorsal approaches, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the risk of injuring flexor and/or extensor tendons increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidtendon injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by switching from palmar/dorsal insertion to medial/lateral insertion. The arthrodesis plate is inserted through a lateral approach rather than the traditional palmar or dorsal approach, thereby avoiding the flexor and extensor tendons while achieving secure anchoring in the medullary canal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If arthrodesis plates are screwed to the bone from the outside, then anchoring is achieved, but the surgical approach becomes more invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional external screw fixation approach by inserting the plate internally through the medullary canal via a lateral approach. This internal fixation method eliminates the need for external screw holes and reduces surgical invasiveness while maintaining anchoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat anchoring area design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but press-fit connection strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpress-fit connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a curved or undulated outer contour to the anchoring areas instead of a flat design. This curvature creates interlocking geometry with the medullary canal walls, significantly enhancing press-fit connection strength while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes like plasma spray coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3525727B1Arthrodesis plate

Publication Date: 2023.11.29 WALDEMAR LINK GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1a~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an arthrodesis plate (2) for reinforcing joints, in particular finger joints, comprising a proximal (4) and a distal (6) anchorage region which are mechanically rigidly connected to one another, characterised in that at least one outer contour (10, 12) of one of the two anchorage regions has a cross-section which is undulated e.g. roof-shaped or provided with alternating elevations and depressions using a coating, and/or has a transversal-sagittal cross-section.