Bone Plate Attachment Device With Angled Lateral Fixation Holes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate attachment devices face challenges in achieving stable fixation while avoiding penetration of the medullary canal, particularly in periprosthetic fractures where prosthetic devices extend along the bone.
Innovation Solution
An attachment device with a central recess and lateral wings, featuring holes with angled axes that lie outside the medullary canal, allowing bi-cortical screws to anchor securely in the outer bone layer without penetrating the canal, and optionally including additional holes and fixation elements for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to anchor the attachment device in bone, then stable fixation is achieved, but the screws may penetrate into the medullary canal where prosthetic devices have been inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the holes in the lateral wings with different angular orientations. The first hole in the first lateral wing and the second hole in the second lateral wing are angled differently relative to the longitudinal axis, allowing each screw to follow a unique trajectory that avoids the medullary canal while maintaining secure cortical bone anchorage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating region-specific hole orientations tailored to the anatomical structure. Each lateral wing has holes angled to optimize anchorage in the available bone stock at that specific location, with angles adjusted to navigate around the medullary canal in different regions of the femur.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment device is designed to accommodate bone plate, then fracture fixation is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment device with the bone plate system by providing a recess in the central portion that directly receives and secures the bone plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to accommodate standard bone plates for fracture fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device achieves universality by designing the central portion with a recess that can accommodate standard bone plates, making the device compatible with existing bone plate systems. The lateral wings with multiple holes provide multi-functional anchorage options that can adapt to various bone geometries and fracture patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment device for attaching a bone plate to a bone having a medullary canal is provided. The attachment device comprises a central portion having a recess to accommodate the bone plate and at least two lateral fixation support members projecting from the central portion. The lateral fixation support members are arranged on opposite sides of the central portion, wherein each lateral fixation support member comprises a hole extending through the lateral fixation support member and are adapted to accommodate a fixation element therethrough to fix the attachment device to bone. The angles of the hole axes of the holes are different with respect to a perpendicular bisector of the centers of the holes and the hole axes lie outside of the medullary canal.