Two-Part Bone Fixation System with Orienting Blade Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation systems often face misalignment issues due to anatomical variations and imperfect slot angles, leading to repeated surgeries and increased bone injury during the repair of fractures, particularly in the femur's trochanter region.
Innovation Solution
A two-part bone fixation system comprising a first L-shaped device with a rounded blade and a second wider blade, where the first device serves as an orienting guide to correctly position the second device, utilizing a groove and tongue mechanism for precise alignment and a slot formation guide to ensure accurate slot orientation, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single blade plate is used for bone fixation, then the device is simple to operate, but misalignment occurs due to anatomical variations and imperfect slot angles
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into two separate blade plates: a first blade plate that establishes the primary alignment reference, and a second blade plate that is positioned relative to the first. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in the alignment process, thereby improving overall positioning accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first blade plate acts as an intermediary element between the bone anatomy and the second blade plate. It provides a stable reference structure that mediates the positioning of the second blade plate, ensuring accurate alignment despite anatomical variations. The interaction between the two blade plates through defined geometric relationships enables precise positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slot size is increased to accommodate blade reorientation, then blade orientation flexibility improves, but bone injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic reorientation capability through the interaction between the two blade plates. The second blade plate can be rotated and repositioned relative to the first blade plate within defined geometric constraints, allowing adaptive orientation adjustment without requiring an enlarged slot. This dynamic adjustment mechanism achieves versatility while preserving bone integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first blade plate is inserted and secured first to establish the correct orientation reference before the second blade plate is positioned. This preliminary action defines the alignment framework, allowing the second blade to be accurately oriented without requiring excessive slot size, thereby minimizing bone injury while maintaining reorientation flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If a two-part fixation system is used with orienting guides, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and fixation functions are merged into an integrated two-blade system. The first blade plate serves dual purposes: it provides structural fixation support and simultaneously acts as an orienting guide for the second blade plate. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate complex alignment devices, thereby improving precision while controlling overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first blade plate is designed with multi-functionality: it provides mechanical fixation, establishes alignment reference, and guides the positioning of the second blade plate. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions, reducing the total number of separate devices needed and simplifying the overall system while maintaining high alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fixation system has a first fixation device. The first fixation device has a first longitudinally extending bone insertion blade having an orienting portion, and a first plate extending transversely from the first bone insertion blade and positionable along a surface of a bone. The bone fixation system further has a second fixation device. The second fixation device has second longitudinally extending bone insertion blade orientatively interactive with the orienting portion, and a second plate extending transversely from the second bone insertion blade and positionable along the surface of the bone adjacent the first plate. When assembled, the second bone insertion blade has an orientation that is based on an orientation of the orienting portion.