Bone Plate Alignment Flange for Intramedullary Nail Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of inserting fracture fixation systems often result in sub-optimal alignment of bone plates with respect to the underlying intramedullary nail, leading to longer recovery times and associated complications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reference body and an alignment flange is used to improve the alignment of bone plates during fracture fixation. The alignment flange, with markers for alignment, is attached to the reference body extending outside the bone, allowing for precise alignment of the bone plate with the alignment flange and subsequent securement to the bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intramedullary nail is inserted before the bone plate, then the nail can be securely positioned in the medullary canal, but the bone plate placement is constrained and may not achieve optimal alignment with the bone surface
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange is attached to the reference body before the bone plate is positioned. This preliminary alignment setup allows the bone plate to be accurately aligned with both the bone surface and the underlying nail, resolving the conflict between nail positioning stability and bone plate alignment precision by establishing reference markers in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment flange acts as an intermediary component between the reference body and the bone plate. It provides alignment markers that mediate the positioning process, enabling the bone plate to achieve optimal alignment with both the bone surface and the intramedullary nail simultaneously
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bone plate is positioned to align with the underlying intramedullary nail, then fixation stability is improved, but the optimal placement area on the bone surface may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By attaching the alignment flange to the reference body before bone plate placement, the system establishes predetermined alignment markers that guide the bone plate to its optimal position on the bone surface while ensuring proper alignment with the underlying nail, thus achieving both fixation stability and placement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical trial-and-error positioning with a marker-based alignment system. The alignment flange with its markers provides a visual and physical guide that substitutes for iterative mechanical adjustment, enabling precise one-time placement of the bone plate at the optimal location
3Device complexity
If traditional insertion methods are used, then the procedure is simpler, but recovery time increases and complications arise from sub-optimal alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange is pre-attached to the reference body, establishing all necessary alignment markers before the bone plate is positioned. This preliminary preparation simplifies the actual insertion procedure by providing ready-to-use alignment guides, reducing the need for complex intraoperative adjustment and thereby decreasing recovery time
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment flange with its integrated markers provides self-aligning functionality during the bone plate placement process. The markers automatically guide the bone plate to the correct position relative to the bone surface and nail, eliminating the need for complex surgical navigation or multiple measurement steps, thus simplifying the procedure and reducing recovery time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of attaching a fixation construct to a long bone includes attaching a guide block to a bone plate, placing the bone plate against a surface of the long bone, connecting two k-wires to the guide block, locating the medial-lateral direction, confirming an overlapping alignment of the two k-wires in the medial-lateral direction, confirming a positioning of the bone plate with respect to the bone, and securing the bone plate to the bone.