Bone Plate Undercut Flanges for In Situ Fracture Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation systems face challenges in accurately reducing comminuted fractures by bending bone plates in situ, as they require predicting and reserving openings for bending equipment, leading to potential misalignment and difficulty in securing bone screws.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bone plate with elevated association sites and bending tools that can be slidably mounted to the plate's underside, allowing deformation without occupying screw openings, enabling flexible bending and secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bone plate openings are used to interface with bending equipment, then bending can be performed, but the openings cannot be occupied by bone screws simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is segmented into multiple association sites distributed along its length, each capable of independently receiving bending tools. This segmentation allows bending operations at specific locations without interfering with screw openings at other locations, resolving the conflict between bending capability and screw placement availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending tools interface with the bone plate through association sites that protrude from the plate surface, creating a third dimension (vertical protrusion) that allows tool attachment without occupying the planar space of screw openings. This dimensional separation enables simultaneous bending and screw fixation operations.
2Ease of operation
If openings are reserved for bending equipment, then bending can be performed, but the surgeon must predict and leave openings unoccupied
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the bone plate into multiple independent association sites, the system eliminates the need to predict which openings should be reserved for bending. Each association site can independently receive bending tools or bone screws based on real-time surgical needs, eliminating prediction errors and ensuring precise screw placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The association sites provide dynamic adaptability during the surgical procedure, allowing the surgeon to flexibly assign bending tools or screws to different sites based on the specific requirements of each moment, rather than being constrained by pre-reserved openings.
3Stability of the object's composition
If bone screws are installed before bending, then fixation is secured, but the openings are blocked from receiving bending tools
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution of association sites along the bone plate allows screw fixation at certain segments while bending tools attach at other segments. This spatial segmentation enables both stable bone fixation and bending capability to coexist without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Association sites protruding from the bone plate surface create a vertical dimension that allows bending tools to attach without blocking the horizontal plane where screw openings are located, enabling simultaneous fixation and bending operations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If bending is performed after screw installation, then fixation is maintained, but the openings must be unoccupied during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate's multiple association sites allow bending operations at specific segments while maintaining screw fixation at other segments. This segmentation ensures that bending tool attachment does not interfere with already-installed screws, maintaining fixation stability during the bending process.
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
Facilitates precise fracture reduction by allowing bone plate deformation without interfering with screw placements, ensuring stable and effective bone alignment during healing.
Implementation Method 1
bending can be enabled with bending rods coupled to the bone plate to create graspable levers for applying a bending moment to the bone plate
Implementation Method 2
the mating portion is configured to slidably mount to the underside of each of the plurality of association sites that displaces each bending tool longitudinally on the plate member
Data Source
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Figure 3A
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AI summary
System, including methods and apparatus, for deforming a plate member on bone. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plate member defining a plurality of openings to receive fasteners that attach the plate member to bone. The plate member may include a pair of undercut flanges formed by opposite edge regions of the plate member. The system also may comprise a bending tool configured to be operatively associated with the plate member after the plate member is attached to bone, with a region of the bending tool positioned under each of the undercut flanges, such that rotation of the bending tool applies a moment to the plate member.