Minimally-Invasive Bone Fusion Implant with Stability Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally-invasive bone fusion procedures, there is a challenge in providing a robust fixation construct that is stronger than a screw construct but does not require substantial tissue stripping to fit a plate construct onto the bone.
Innovation Solution
A minimally-invasive implant insertion system and method that includes a stability screw trajectory and guiding holes to secure an implant, using a wire, pre-drill, and broaching system to create a pocket for the implant, allowing for minimal tissue stripping and a partially intramedullary style of plate insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plate construct is used to provide robust fixation, then the strength and number of fixation points are improved, but substantial tissue stripping is required to ensure proper fit
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into modular components: a plate portion for bone fusion and a separate stability screw portion for additional fixation. This segmentation allows the plate to be inserted minimally invasively without substantial tissue stripping, while the stability screw provides the robust fixation strength through a separate trajectory that does not require extensive soft tissue dissection.
Solution Approach 2:
A stability screw is introduced as an intermediary element between the plate and the bone. The stability screw passes through the plate and into the bone to provide additional fixation points, enabling robust fixation without requiring the plate itself to be extensively stripped to fit the bone contour.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a screw construct is used to remain minimally invasive, then tissue disruption is reduced, but the fixation strength is insufficient compared to a plate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two fixation mechanisms: a plate construct for minimal invasiveness and a stability screw construct for enhanced strength. The stability screw is integrated with the plate through a threaded hole in the plate, combining the minimal tissue disruption of screw fixation with the robust fixation of plate construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is segmented into two functional parts: the plate portion that provides minimal invasive insertion and the stability screw portion that provides enhanced fixation strength. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Strength
If a stability screw is added to enhance fixation, then the fixation construct strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stability screw and plate are merged into a single integrated implant system. The stability screw is threaded into a hole in the plate, creating a unified fixation construct that provides enhanced strength while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate serves multiple functions: it provides the minimal invasive insertion pathway, serves as the structural platform for the stability screw, and provides initial bone fusion surface. The stability screw provides both fixation and reinforcement of the plate-bone interface, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for bone fusion incudes an implant configured to be attached to two bone portions; an insertion handle attached to the implant by a threaded drill guide and including a stability screw trajectory guide portion and an implant screw guide portion; and a stability screw configured to pass through the stability screw trajectory guide portion and into the two bones.