Bone Plate Drill Block With Dual Locking Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of attaching and aligning drill guides during bone plating procedures for fracture fixation is laborious and time-consuming, particularly due to the need for precise alignment of pilot holes with discrete axis angles, which can prolong surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bone plating system that includes a detachable drill block with a single locking element for secure attachment to the bone plate, eliminating the need for multiple drill guide attachments and allowing easy detachment once the plate is secured, featuring a second locking element to prevent rotation or removal unless the first locking element is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a drill guide is attached multiple times to different peg/screw holes during the procedure, then accurate pilot hole drilling can be achieved, but the surgical procedure duration is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drill guide functions into a single drill block that can be attached once to the bone plate. The drill block incorporates multiple peg/screw hole alignments, allowing all pilot holes to be drilled from one attached position rather than requiring repeated attachments to different holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill block is pre-configured with multiple aligned peg/screw hole positions before the surgical procedure. This preliminary arrangement of alignment features allows the surgeon to attach the drill block once and immediately drill all pilot holes without needing to reposition or reattach the guide during the procedure.
2Reliability
If a drill block is securely attached to the bone plate, then stable drilling is achieved, but the detachment process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into two distinct locking elements: a first locking element that provides secure attachment stability during drilling, and a second locking element that enables easy detachment. This segmentation allows each locking element to specialize in one function - secure attachment or easy removal - without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a static, permanently secure connection to a dynamic system where the attachment state can change. The two-locking element design allows the system to be securely locked during drilling operations and then easily unlocked for detachment when drilling is complete, providing adaptability to different operational phases.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a bone plating system and related methods. The system comprises a bone plate and a drill block to be removably attached to the bone plate. The system further comprises a first locking element and a second locking element. The first locking element is configured to be removably attached to the drill block and the bone plate by extending through one drill block hole of the drill block and into one aligned bone screw receiving hole of the bone plate. The second locking element to configured to extend from the drill block and into an opening in the bone plate in order to constrain rotational movement of the bone plate and the drill block with respect to each other when the first locking element is attached to the drill block and the bone plate.