Bone Fixation Arrangement with External Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation methods, such as using bone plates and screws, often weaken the bone and can fail under external forces, especially in osteoporotic patients. Additionally, previous solutions like loops around the bone or osteosynthesis plates with predetermined geometry are surgically complex and not adaptable to varying bone geometries.
Innovation Solution
A fixation arrangement comprising at least two stabilization plates connected via a force-transmitting element that absorbs and transmits forces, allowing for distribution of external forces across multiple plates without directly loading the bone. This arrangement can be positioned outside the bone to prevent pressure and disruption of blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If opposing bone plates are connected using bone-penetrating screws, then the fixation stability is improved, but the bone is enormously weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a force-transmitting element as an intermediary component that connects the first and second stabilization plates without penetrating the bone. This mediator transfers forces between the plates externally, eliminating the need for bone-penetrating connection elements and thus avoiding additional bone weakening while maintaining fixation stability.
2Strength
If loops made of wire are used to fix bone plates, then the fixation is achieved, but the blood supply to the bone is reduced and healing is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force transmission function from the bone-penetrating loops and relocates it to an external force-transmitting element. By taking out the problematic bone-penetrating component and replacing it with an external alternative, the fixation is maintained while the harmful effect on bone blood supply is eliminated.
3Device complexity
If a single stabilizing plate is used with curved threaded rods, then the arrangement is simpler, but the bone is still weakened and the fixation may fail under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stabilization system into two separate stabilization plates that work together, with the force-transmitting element segmenting the force transmission path. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability by distributing and transmitting forces through multiple structural elements rather than relying on a single plate.
4Ease of manufacture
If osteosynthesis plates with predetermined geometry are used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the arrangement cannot be corrected intraoperatively and is only suitable for specific bone geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustability and modularity into the stabilization plate design, allowing the relative position and orientation of the first and second stabilization plates to be corrected intraoperatively. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to varying bone geometries while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components that can be configured differently.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
A fixing arrangement for fixing a bone (5) or a bone-replacing or bone-stabilising component comprises at least two stabilising plates (1) and at least one force transmitting element (2). The force transmitting element (2) is designed to transmit forces from one stabilising plate (1) to the at least one further stabilising plate (1). The stabilising plates (1) are connected or can be connected to one another via the at least one force transmitting element (2) in such a way that the force transmitting element (2) is attached or attachable to, or is integrally formed with, a first section (21) on one stabilising plate (1) and a second section (21) on the further stabilising plate (1).