Bone Fixation Plate with Crossed Suture Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic bone plates for fracture fixation, particularly those used in the proximal humerus, face challenges in securely attaching tuberosities due to limited access and orientation of suture holes, which can lead to impingement and inadequate support.
Innovation Solution
A humeral fracture fixation plate with strategically positioned suture anchor locations and paths that allow for multiple approaches to secure tuberosities, featuring obliquely angled and converging paths to facilitate secure attachment while minimizing plate extension and preventing impingement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suture holes are positioned to provide multiple access approaches for tuberosity attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple openings and crossing paths
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple suture paths (first, second, third, and fourth) are merged to share common openings within the plate structure. The first and second suture paths share a common opening, while the third and fourth suture paths share another common opening, reducing the total number of external openings required while providing multiple access approaches for tuberosity attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Suture paths are configured to extend in multiple dimensions through the plate thickness and across different surfaces. Paths extend between bone contacting and upper plate surfaces, with some paths crossing within the plate volume, utilizing three-dimensional space to provide varied access routes without increasing surface footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plate head portion is extended to accommodate multiple suture holes, then the adaptability is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to potential impingement against the acromium
Solution Approach 1:
Suture anchor locations are concentrated in a specific localized region of the plate head portion rather than being distributed across an extended area. This allows multiple suture paths to be accommodated in a compact space, providing adaptability for various tuberosity attachment needs while keeping the plate head portion short to prevent acromium impingement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple suture paths utilize the thickness dimension of the plate and cross within the plate volume rather than requiring lateral extension. By exploiting the z-dimension (plate thickness) and internal volume, the design accommodates complex suture routing without increasing the plate's lateral footprint, thereby avoiding impingement issues.
3Ease of manufacture
If suture holes extend parallel to bone contacting surfaces, then the manufacturing precision is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited tissue attachment approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The suture hole system is segmented into multiple distinct paths (first, second, third, and fourth suture paths) with different orientations and access points. Rather than using simple parallel holes, each path is independently configured to provide specific access routes, allowing surgeons to select the most appropriate path for each tuberosity attachment need.
Solution Approach 2:
Suture paths are configured to extend in multiple orientations including transverse, oblique, and crossing directions through the plate thickness. Paths extend between bone contacting and upper surfaces, with some paths crossing within the plate volume, providing varied access routes that are not limited to a single orientation parallel to bone surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A fracture fixation system includes a plate having a first suture anchor location having an opening at the upper surface of the plate, an opening at the proximal end of the plate, and an opening at the anterior side of the plate and defines first and second suture pathways which cross within the plate. The first and second suture pathways include a common opening. A second suture anchor location on the plate has an opening at the upper surface of the plate, an opening at the proximal end of the plate, and an opening at the posterior side of the plate which defines third and fourth suture pathways which cross within the plate. The third and fourth suture pathways also share a common opening. Thus, each suture anchor location is capable of providing a hold for suture from multiple approaches to secure tuberosities relative to the plate.