Bone Fixation Plate with Spacer for Gingival Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for intermaxillary fixation, such as wiring and arch bars, are tedious, interfere with dental hygiene, and may not provide satisfactory fixation, especially in edentulous patients, and can cause pressure necrosis and dental injury during removal.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a spacer and a plate system with bone screws that allows for secure fixation without direct contact with the bone, using a spacer to elevate the plate from the bone and prevent pressure necrosis, and a self-tapping screw shank for stable anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If arch bars are used to provide secure fixation, then fixation stability is improved, but the device complexity and time required for application increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into separate modular components: an arch bar structure and a distinct spacer element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall application process, as the spacer can be placed and secured separately from the arch bar assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is placed and secured to the bone structure before the arch bar is attached. This preliminary action creates a pre-positioned framework that guides subsequent arch bar placement and ensures proper spacing from the gingiva is established before final fixation is achieved
2Stability of the object's composition
If arch bars press against the gingiva to provide stable fixation, then fixation stability is improved, but pressure necrosis of the gingiva occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the arch bar and the gingiva. This spacer maintains a controlled distance, preventing direct contact and pressure transmission to the soft tissue while still allowing the arch bar to provide stable fixation to the underlying bone structure through the spacer's attachment points
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as a protective cushioning element that is placed beforehand to prevent direct pressure transmission. By establishing this protective barrier during the initial placement phase, the design prevents pressure necrosis before it can occur during the fixation process
3Strength
If wire ligatures are used to secure arch bars, then secure fixation is achieved, but dental hygiene is interfered with and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful wire ligatures are extracted and removed from the design. Instead of using wires that wrap around teeth and interfere with hygiene, the invention uses a spacer with integrated attachment points that allow direct skeletal fixation, eliminating the need for tooth-based wire ligatures and their associated hygiene problems
4Strength
If screws are placed directly into bone to provide fixation, then secure anchoring is achieved, but pressure necrosis and dental injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary element between the bone-anchored screws and the gingival tissue. Screws are placed into the bone through the spacer, providing secure anchoring, while the spacer maintains distance from the gingiva, preventing pressure necrosis and reducing the risk of dental injury during insertion and removal procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A plate system for bone fixation including intermaxillary fixation which has at least one plate with one opening and at least one bone screw for securing the plate to an adjacent bone and/or other anatomical structures (e.g., the gingival) with space maintained in between. The plate system provides a fixed connection at both the plate and the bone. A method for achieving fixation while maintaining space between the plate and bone includes placement of a spacer over the desired bone screw insertion point, followed by placement of the plate over the spacer so that the bone screw may be inserted through the plate while the spacer is held in position.