Asymmetric Suture Button for Clavicle Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in accurately positioning and stabilizing a fractured clavicle relative to the scapula, particularly when coracoclavicular ligaments are torn, leading to misalignment and difficulty in maintaining the clavicle in a natural anatomical position for proper healing.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation assembly comprising a suture button with retaining ribs, a bone plate with threaded apertures, and a suture assembly that includes a suture engaging member, allowing for secure fixation and re-alignment of the clavicle by engaging the ribs with the plate's threads and applying tension through sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture buttons are used for clavicle fixation, then the clavicle can be connected to the scapula, but the suture button may rotate or become dislodged during surgery and healing
Solution Approach 1:
The suture button features an asymmetric design with a non-circular cross-section (e.g., D-shaped or with flat portions) that corresponds to an asymmetric recess in the bone plate. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement of the suture button within the bone plate aperture, ensuring stable positioning during surgery and healing while maintaining secure clavicle fixation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suture button is designed to prevent rotation, then positioning stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design prevents rotation through simple geometric complementarity between the suture button's non-circular cross-section and the bone plate's asymmetric recess, avoiding the need for complex locking mechanisms or multiple components. This achieves positioning stability with minimal structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the suture button aperture is enlarged to accommodate sutures, then suture passage is facilitated, but bone plate engagement strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture button incorporates multiple discrete apertures or passage channels through its body, allowing sutures to be threaded through without requiring a large single aperture. This segmented approach provides adequate suture access while maintaining sufficient material integrity and engagement strength with the bone plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture button acts as an intermediary element between the bone plate and the sutures. It provides dedicated passage channels that guide sutures from the bone plate through the button, facilitating easy suture insertion while the button's external geometry maintains strong engagement with the bone plate aperture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bone fixation assembly (10) can include a suture button (32), a bone plate (30), and a suture assembly (34). The suture button can include a body (60) that has a first end surface (62), a second end surface (64), and a circumferential outer surface (66). A first pair of passages (70) can be formed through the body from the first end surface to the second end surface. The circumferential outer surface can include at least one protrusion or retaining rib (98) extending radially therefrom. The bone plate defines an aperture (52). The suture button is configured to be at least partially received into the aperture in an assembled position such that the retaining rib engages the bone plate and inhibits withdrawal of the suture button from the aperture in the assembled position. The suture assembly includes a suture engaging member (38) and a suture (36) configured to couple the suture engaging member in the suture button.