Combination Bone Plate Hole Design for Compression and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate systems fail to provide both compression and angular stability for fractured bones without additional mechanisms, leading to potential loss of fixation, especially in osteoporotic bones, and do not effectively maintain the desired angular relationship under physiologic loads.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate assembly with a combination hole design that includes a slot, ramp, and conical bored hole with multi-start threads, allowing for bone screws to compress and lock in a single hole, providing both compression and angular stability without additional elements, and featuring a drill guide for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If compression screws are used to compress bone fragments, then compression of fracture fragments is achieved, but angular stability is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression function and locking function into a single integrated hole design. The hole includes a slot section for compression screw insertion and a threaded section for angular stability, allowing one hole to provide both compression force and angular stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a compression hole and a locking hole. The slot portion allows compression screw insertion while the threaded portion provides angular stability, making the same structural element perform multiple functions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If locking screws are used to provide angular stability, then angular stability is achieved, but compression capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking mechanism and compression mechanism within the same hole structure. The threaded section provides angular stability while the slot section maintains the ability to accept compression screws, allowing both functions to coexist in a single hole.
3Reliability
If multiple separate holes are used for compression and locking, then both functions are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges what would traditionally be separate compression holes and locking holes into a single combination hole. This reduces the number of separate features while maintaining both compression and locking capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination hole serves multiple functions that would traditionally require separate holes. By making the hole universal, the design reduces the number of features needed while maintaining reliability.
4Force
If partial threads are used in the hole, then compression is enabled, but angular stability is compromised under physiologic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a slot section and a fully threaded section within the same hole. The slot section allows for compression while the complete peripheral threads provide sufficient engagement to maintain angular stability under physiologic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the hole have different properties: the slot section provides compression capability while the threaded section provides angular stability. Each section is optimized for its specific function while contributing to the overall performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures stable fixation of fractured bones by allowing bone screws to compress and lock in a single hole, maintaining angular stability and reducing the risk of loss of fixation, even in osteoporotic bones, while minimizing additional operative steps and interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a third section which comprises a conical bored hole extending from the second section to the upper surface of the plate, the conical bored hole having a smaller diameter, D1, and a larger diameter, D2, and comprising circumferential, multi-start, conical threads in the bored hole
Implementation Method 2
a second section that comprises a ramp
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to bone plate assembly comprising bone plate and bone screws for compression and locking of bone screws to bone plates for stabilizing fractured fragments of a bone.