Bone Plate Combination Opening for Locking and Compression Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone stabilization systems for trauma applications lack flexibility in using both locking and non-locking screws for dynamic compression, which is essential for various fracture types and anatomical locations, as they often create high stress concentrations or require multiple fixation methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of bone stabilization systems that include plates with combination openings for both locking and non-locking fasteners, allowing for dynamic compression and secure fixation, featuring textured and non-textured portions, and various hole configurations for polyaxial locking and fixed-angle options, enabling surgeons to choose between locking and non-locking screws based on anatomical needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking screws are used to secure the plate to the bone, then the reliability of fixation is improved, but the ability to dynamically compress the bone is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into multiple functional zones: a textured portion for locking engagement and a smooth portion for dynamic compression. This segmentation allows the single opening to accommodate both locking and non-locking screws, resolving the contradiction between fixation reliability and dynamic compression capability
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can receive locking screws for secure fixation or non-locking screws for dynamic compression. The combination of textured and smooth portions within the same opening enables this universal applicability, allowing surgeons to choose the appropriate screw type based on anatomical needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-locking screws are used to dynamically compress the bone, then the adaptability for dynamic compression is improved, but the reliability of fixation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is divided into textured and smooth portions, where the smooth portion accommodates non-locking screws for dynamic compression while the textured portion provides locking engagement capability, ensuring both adaptability and reliability are maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The opening serves multiple functions by accommodating both locking and non-locking screws through its dual-texture design, ensuring that dynamic compression can be achieved without compromising fixation reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate openings are provided for locking and non-locking screws, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate locking and non-locking openings into a single combination opening. The opening integrates both textured and smooth portions, allowing both locking and non-locking screws to be accommodated in one location, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The combination opening is designed as a universal feature that can receive both locking and non-locking screws, eliminating the need for separate openings and reducing overall plate structure complexity while preserving fastener selection flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods of bone stabilization. The bone stabilization system includes a bone plate having an upper surface and a lower surface configured to be in contact with bone, the bone plate having an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening is configured to receive a fastener, which may be either a locking fastener or a compression fastener. The locking fastener has a threaded head portion configured to engage and lock to the bone plate, and the compression fastener is configured to dynamically compress the bone.