Bone Plate With Central Unthreaded And Threaded Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plate systems for fracture fixation lack stability near compression screws, leading to potential plate shifting or removal, and loss of contact with the bone, which can hinder healing.
Innovation Solution
The design features a bone plate with a shaft region and a head region containing a central unthreaded screw hole surrounded by locking screw holes forming a polygon, providing enhanced stability through locking engagement with bone fasteners and maintaining contact with the bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bone plates with unthreaded holes are used for compression screws, then the plate can be inserted and positioned, but the screw-plate-bone construct stability is insufficient and the plate may shift or be pulled out
Solution Approach 1:
The plate holes are segmented into two distinct types: threaded holes for locking screws and unthreaded holes for compression screws. This segmentation allows each hole type to serve its specific function optimally, with threaded holes providing stable locking engagement and unthreaded holes allowing compression screw insertion and bone fragment compression.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the plate have different hole configurations tailored to local requirements. The head portion contains both threaded and unthreaded holes arranged in specific patterns, while the shaft portion has different hole configurations. This local differentiation ensures that each region provides the appropriate stability and fixation characteristics needed for that specific location on the bone.
2Reliability
If compression screws are used in unthreaded holes, then bone compression can be achieved, but the plate may lose contact with the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated plate design: compression screw fixation and locking screw stabilization. The plate combines both threaded and unthreaded holes in its head portion, allowing compression screws to compress bone fragments while locking screws simultaneously secure the plate to the bone, ensuring continuous plate-bone contact and maintaining fixation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate is designed with pre-configured threaded holes that can receive locking screws in advance. These locking screws can be inserted first to establish stable plate-bone contact and positioning, creating a preliminary stable construct that prevents plate shifting or loss of contact before compression screws are inserted to achieve bone compression.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple screw hole configurations are provided for different screw types, then versatile fixation options are available, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is designed with multi-functionality, accommodating both compression screws and locking screws within a single device. The head portion contains both threaded and unthreaded holes, allowing the plate to perform multiple fixation functions: compressing bone fragments with compression screws and providing stable locking engagement with locking screws, thereby reducing the need for multiple separate fixation devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for use in orthopedic surgery for fixation of bone has a shaft region and a head region, both including a plurality of holes for receiving bone fasteners. The head region of the implant has a central screw hole and threaded surrounding screw holes surrounding the central screw hole in a defined configuration.