Bone Plate Protrusion for Compression Without Dead Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone plate kits face issues with low fixing force due to partially threaded screw holes, increased dead space leading to infection risks, and increased plate thickness causing pressure on surrounding soft tissue.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate design featuring screw holes with a protrusion and recess on the upper face, allowing for proper pressure application between bone segments without compromising fixing force or increasing dead space, and incorporating a chamfer for bone screw placement to manage plate movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If screw threads are formed partially in the screw holes, then the plate thickness can be reduced, but the fixing force decreases and dead space increases leading to infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate thicknessVSAvoidfixing force
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The screw hole is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with screw threads for fixation and a second portion without screw threads for pressure application. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally, maintaining fixing force while enabling pressure application without requiring increased plate thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the screw hole have different structural characteristics - the first portion has threads for mechanical engagement while the second portion is smooth for pressure transmission. This local differentiation allows the plate to achieve both fixation and compression functions without compromising strength or increasing overall thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Length of stationary object

If screw threads are formed partially in the screw holes, then the plate thickness can be reduced, but dead space increases leading to infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate thicknessVSAvoidinfection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screw hole is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with screw threads for fixation and a second portion without screw threads for pressure application. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally, maintaining fixing force while enabling pressure application without requiring increased plate thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If the plate thickness is increased to apply pressure between bone segments, then pressure application is improved, but pressure on surrounding soft tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure applicationVSAvoidsoft tissue pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screw hole is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with screw threads for fixation and a second portion without screw threads for pressure application. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally, maintaining fixing force while enabling pressure application without requiring increased plate thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone screw acts as an intermediary element that transmits compressive force from the surgeon's tightening action through the second portion of the screw hole directly to the bone segments, enabling precise pressure control without the plate itself needing to be thicker.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3808294B1Bone plate and bone plate kit
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 OLYMPUS TERUMO BIOMATERIALS CORP
  • EP3808294B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3808294B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3808294B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

In order to apply, with a simple and easy means, proper pressure between bone segments spaced apart as a result of osteotomy or a bone fracture, without lowering the fixing force at the screw meshing portion, without increasing a dead space, and without increasing the thickness of the plate, the present invention provides a bone plate (2) having an upper face (4), which is to be in contact with bone, a lower face, which is to be in contact with the bone, and a plurality of holes (6) arranged to receive bone screws and connecting the upper face (4) and the lower face. In at least one of the holes (6), a portion of an edge, on the upper face (4), of the hole (6) is formed so as to be raised in the form of a protrusion higher than the upper face around the hole (6).