Bone Plate Locking Hole with Compression Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone plate systems lack effective mechanisms for locking screws while allowing for minor adjustments in screw position, leading to sub-optimal bone fragment alignment and increased risk of further injury due to improper load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate with a threaded locking hole and a compression relief feature that allows for the screw to be locked while permitting adjustments in screw position, utilizing a tapered hole and flexible compression reliefs to absorb pressure and facilitate repositioning of bone fragments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional bone plate system uses a simple locking hole, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the screw cannot be adjusted after insertion and bone fragment alignment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew position adjustabilityVSAvoidplate structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hole is segmented into multiple functional zones: an unthreaded upper portion allowing screw head engagement and movement, and a threaded lower portion for secure locking. The plate relief is segmented as a separate feature from the locking hole, creating distinct functional regions that enable both adjustment and locking capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking hole transitions from a static simple hole to a dynamic system where the screw can move within the unthreaded portion during adjustment, then lock in place when threaded engagement occurs. The plate relief dynamically absorbs forces during loading, allowing the system to adapt to different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a bone plate system allows screw movement for adjustment, then bone fragment realignment is improved, but the screw may become loose and lose locking capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone fragment realignment capabilityVSAvoidscrew locking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hole is pre-configured with an unthreaded portion that guides the screw head during adjustment movements, ensuring the screw remains properly positioned. The threaded portion is pre-formed to engage the screw head once adjustment is complete, providing automatic locking without additional steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking hole changes its engagement parameters along its length: the unthreaded upper portion allows free movement with no thread engagement, while the threaded lower portion provides fixed engagement. This parameter change along the Z-axis enables both adjustment and locking functions within a single continuous hole structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a bone plate uses rigid structure for strength, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the plate cannot accommodate minor misalignments and excessive stress concentrates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate load bearing capacityVSAvoidtolerance to misalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plate exhibits different local qualities: the main plate body maintains high rigidity and strength for load bearing, while the plate relief creates a localized flexible region that can deform to accommodate misalignments. This local quality differentiation allows the plate to simultaneously bear loads and tolerate positioning variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The plate relief acts as a pre-designed cushioning feature that absorbs excessive forces and stress concentrations before they can damage the bone or hardware. By providing a controlled deformation zone in advance, the system protects against the harmful effects of misalignment and overloading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a bone plate system provides secure screw locking, then fixation stability is improved, but the system lacks flexibility for post-insertion adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidpost-insertion adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hole is divided into functional segments: the unthreaded portion enables adjustment movements while the threaded portion provides stable locking. This segmentation allows the same hole to support both adjustment and fixation stability requirements at different stages of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking hole serves multiple functions: it guides screw insertion, allows adjustment movements during the unthreaded portion, and provides secure locking when the screw engages the threaded portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment and locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10799275B2Readjustable locking plate hole

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A bone plate comprises a locking hole extending through the bone plate from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof. The locking hole is threaded and sized and shaped to lockingly receive a correspondingly threaded head of a bone fixation element therethrough. The bone plate further comprises a first plate relief extending at least partially through a thickness of the plate and separated from the locking hole to define a first weakened portion of the bone plate. The first plate relief extends around a portion of a circumference of the locking hole.