Bone Fragment Fixation Plate With Rotary-Preventing Load-Carrying Means

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for fixing bone fragments at hip fractures require significant bone tissue removal and have limitations in carrying loading forces and preventing rotation of proximal fixing means, which affects the stability and fixation of the fracture.

Innovation Solution

A device with a locking plate configured to include a third hole for a rotary-preventing and load-carrying means that prevents rotation of the proximal fixing means while allowing displacement, enabling better load distribution and reduced bone tissue removal, allowing the use of various types of proximal fixing means like bone screws or nails with lateral openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a sleeve is added to the locking plate to carry loading forces and prevent rotation, then the device's ability to carry loading forces and prevent rotation is improved, but the device complexity and bone tissue removal increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to carry loading forcesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate is divided into multiple functional segments: a distal portion with first holes for distal fixing means, a proximal portion with a second hole for proximal fixing means, and a middle portion with a third hole for rotary-preventing means. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, improving load-carrying capability without requiring a complex integrated sleeve structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary-preventing and load-carrying means is inserted through the third hole in the locking plate and nested within the structural framework of the plate. This nested configuration allows the rotary-preventing means to be integrated into the locking plate without adding significant external complexity or requiring extensive bone removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a sleeve is added to the locking plate to prevent rotation of proximal fixing means, then the stability and fixation are improved, but the bone tissue removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability and fixationVSAvoidbone tissue removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate is divided into multiple functional segments: a distal portion with first holes for distal fixing means, a proximal portion with a second hole for proximal fixing means, and a middle portion with a third hole for rotary-preventing means. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, improving load-carrying capability without requiring a complex integrated sleeve structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rotary prevention is achieved locally at the third hole in the middle portion of the locking plate, rather than requiring a comprehensive sleeve structure. The rotary-preventing means is inserted through this localized third hole and engages specifically with the proximal fixing means, providing targeted rotational constraint without the need for extensive bone removal that would be required for a full sleeve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the proximal fixing means is made larger to improve fixing capacity, then the fixing capacity is improved, but the bone tissue removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing capacityVSAvoidbone tissue removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Rotary prevention is achieved locally at the third hole in the middle portion of the locking plate, rather than requiring a comprehensive sleeve structure. The rotary-preventing means is inserted through this localized third hole and engages specifically with the proximal fixing means, providing targeted rotational constraint without the need for extensive bone removal that would be required for a full sleeve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11141203B2Device for fixation of bone fragments

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 SWEMAC INNOVATION

AI summary

A device for fixation of bone fragments (4, 8) comprises a locking plate (1) for fixation on the outside of an outer bone fragment (4). The locking plate has a distal portion (1a) with at least one first hole (6), extending through the locking plate, for a distal fixing means (2) and a proximal portion (1b) with a second hole (7), extending through the locking plate, for a proximal fixing means (3). The locking plate (1) is configured also with a third hole (9) which is located between said at least one first hole (6) in the distal portion (1a) of the locking plate and said second hole (7) in the proximal portion (1b) of the locking plate and this third hole extends as the other holes through the locking plate. The device further comprises a rotary-preventing and load-carrying means (10) which is configured for inser¬tion and fixation in said third hole (9) in the locking plate (1) and by cooperating with the proximal fixing means (3) prevent rotation of the proximal fixing means but permit displa¬cement thereof in its longitudinal direction relative to the rotary-preventing and load-car¬rying means during compression after surgery of the outer and inner bone fragments (4, 8) and facilitate for the proximal fixing means to carry loading forces acting on the inner bone fragment (8).