Bone Plate Hole Pairs for Compression and Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Bone plates used for fracture fixation often experience loosening due to dynamic loading, as the angular relationship between the plate and screws can shift over time, and existing hole configurations limit the combination and placement of compression and locking screws, restricting the number and variety of screw combinations that can be used.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate design featuring hole pairs with adjacent non-threaded and threaded holes allows for the concurrent placement of compression and locking screws in close proximity, enhancing bone reduction and stabilization while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing screw profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If compression screws are used to reduce bone fractures, then bone fragments can be brought into alignment, but the angular relationship between the bone plate and screws may loosen over time due to dynamic loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular relationship stabilityVSAvoidloosening resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hole is divided into two distinct segments: a threaded portion for receiving locking screws that prevent loosening, and a non-threaded portion for receiving compression screws that enable bone reduction. This segmentation allows each screw type to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The combination hole serves multiple functions by accommodating both compression screws and locking screws within the same hole structure. The threaded portion provides locking capability while the non-threaded portion provides compression capability, making the bone plate universally applicable for both fracture reduction and stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If locking screws are used to prevent loosening, then a fixed angular relationship is achieved, but the capability to compress bone fragments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloosening resistanceVSAvoidcompression capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The hole is divided into two distinct segments: a threaded portion for receiving locking screws that prevent loosening, and a non-threaded portion for receiving compression screws that enable bone reduction. This segmentation allows each screw type to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The combination hole serves multiple functions by accommodating both compression screws and locking screws within the same hole structure. The threaded portion provides locking capability while the non-threaded portion provides compression capability, making the bone plate universally applicable for both fracture reduction and stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hole configurations are provided for different screw combinations, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew combination varietyVSAvoidhole configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded and non-threaded portions are merged into a single combination hole structure, eliminating the need for separate threaded holes and non-threaded holes. This merging provides both locking and compression capabilities in one location, reducing the number of different hole types needed while maintaining screw combination variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination hole serves multiple functions by accommodating both compression screws and locking screws within the same hole structure. The threaded portion provides locking capability while the non-threaded portion provides compression capability, making the bone plate universally applicable for both fracture reduction and stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9468479B2Bone plate

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 CARDINAL HEALTH 247 INC

AI summary

Bones fracture in any number of various ways and, in order to properly reduce a fracture, it may be necessary to place compression screws in any number of combinations along a bone plate to bring the various bone fragments together. A bone plate is provided with an optimal number and combination of threaded holes and non-threaded holes. In embodiments, the bone plate comprises one or more “hole pairs” in which a non-threaded hole and a threaded hole are placed adjacent to one another. The use of hole pairs enables a surgeon to place a compression screw and a locking screw in close proximity, facilitating both bone reduction and bone plate stabilization in a proximate location on the bone plate. In embodiments, the bone plate has an optimal thickness that promotes structural integrity while maximizing the number and combination of holes and reducing the profile of seated screws.