Bone Compression Plate Kit with Tactile Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression plates for bone repair lack precise control over compression and spacing between bone portions, leading to potential prolonged healing and biomechanical changes, as they rely on screw size and initial positioning without quantifiable feedback.
Innovation Solution
A compression plate kit with elongated slide channels and reduction fasteners, along with a compression clamp that provides manual control and tactile feedback, allowing for controlled compression and alignment of bone portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional compression plates with tapered slots and screws are used, then bone portions can be compressed together, but the amount of compression is difficult to control precisely and lacks quantifiable feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism through the interaction between the screw head and the compression slot. As the screw is tightened, the inclined surfaces of the compression slot provide tactile feedback to the practitioner, allowing them to sense and control the amount of compression being applied between bone portions. This resolves the contradiction by providing both compression capability and quantifiable feedback through mechanical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the compression slot, specifically using a tapered or inclined slot design that converts rotational screw movement into linear compression movement. By adjusting the angle and dimensions of the compression slot, the practitioner can control the amount of compression achieved, providing both precision and operability in the compression process.
2Length of moving object
If the compression slot length is increased to provide more compression, then larger gaps can be closed, but the screw head size and shape limitations restrict the maximum compression achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compression function into multiple components: the compression slot provides the mechanical advantage for compression, while multiple screws can be used in sequence or simultaneously to achieve cumulative compression. This allows the system to overcome the limitation of individual screw head size by distributing the compression function across multiple elements, enabling larger gap closure while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through the ability to reposition screws within the compression slot and to use multiple screws at different positions. This dynamic configuration allows the practitioner to adapt the compression system to various gap sizes and bone geometries, increasing the versatility and range of compression distances achievable beyond what a single fixed screw configuration could provide.
3Power
If screws are positioned further from the discontinuity to maximize compression leverage, then compression efficiency increases, but the initial positioning provides no quantifiable feedback on actual compression between bone portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent restores lost information about compression magnitude through the mechanical feedback provided by the compression slot geometry. As the screw is tightened from its initial position, the practitioner can feel the resistance and movement through the inclined surfaces of the slot, providing continuous feedback on the compression being applied. This allows efficient compression leverage to be maintained while recovering the lost information about actual compression between bone portions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and accurate correction of bone discontinuities by allowing manual control of compression, providing physical feedback for precise alignment and spacing, thereby facilitating proper healing.
Implementation Method 1
The compression clamp is adapted to engage the reduction fasteners. After engaging the reduction fasteners with the compression clamp, a practitioner closes the compression clamp, thereby drawing the second reduction fastener (and the second bone portion secured thereto) along the elongated slide channel toward the first reduction fastener (and the first bone portion secured thereto), thereby compressing the bone discontinuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A compression plate kit that allows for manual compression of a bone discontinuity includes a bone plate, two or more reduction screws, and a compression clamp. The compression clamp can include engagement members configured to engage the reduction screws, thereby allowing a practitioner to compress a bone discontinuity by manually closing the compression clamp. One or more implementations of a kit of the present invention can provide a practitioner with physical or tactile feedback during the compression of a bone discontinuity, and thus, provide the practitioner with the ability to better control the compression and spacing of bone portions during a reduction.