Bone Plate Inserter With Pusher-Tensioned Legs for One-End Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fusion methods using spreader tools require specialized openings in the plate, which can weaken the structure and limit design flexibility, and often necessitate contact with both ends of the plate, restricting tool compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate insertion tool with movable plate retainers and a pusher mechanism that tensions the plate legs by bending them away from the body, allowing insertion without needing additional openings and enabling one-end contact, using a nitinol alloy or shape memory material for compressive force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialized openings are added to the plate for receiving spreader tool parts, then the plate can be used with existing spreader tools, but the plate structure is weakened and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spreading function from the plate itself by providing a separate spreader tool that contacts the bone directly. The plate retains only its essential screw holes without any specialized openings, while the spreader tool is designed to engage the bone and apply spreading force independently of the plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader tool acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the bone, applying spreading force through direct bone contact rather than through the plate. This mediator approach allows the plate to maintain its simple, strong structure while still enabling the spreading procedure to be performed.
2Force
If the spreader tool contacts both ends of the plate, then the spreading force can be applied effectively, but the design of plates that can be used with such a tool is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the requirement for the spreader tool to contact the plate by designing the tool to contact the bone directly at the surgical site. This extraction of the plate-contact requirement allows any standard plate design to be used with the spreader tool, significantly increasing plate design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader tool is designed with universal applicability to work with any standard plate design. By contacting the bone directly rather than the plate, the tool becomes compatible with all plate configurations, making the system universally applicable across different plate types and surgical scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If additional openings are created in the plate body beyond screw holes, then the spreader tool can be received, but the plate is unnecessarily weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tool reception function from the plate body by providing a separate, dedicated spreader tool that interfaces with the bone rather than requiring openings in the plate. This maintains the plate body as a simple, strong structure with only the necessary screw holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader tool is designed as a separate, potentially disposable instrument that performs its function and is discarded, rather than requiring permanent modifications to the reusable plate. This approach preserves the plate's structural integrity while enabling the spreading operation.
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
Enables secure bone fusion by temporarily tensioning plate legs for compressive force, facilitating one-end insertion and maintaining structural integrity while accommodating various plate designs.
Implementation Method 1
The pusher engages the compression plate such that, when the pusher moves towards the fully engaged position, the at least one leg of the plate is temporarily tensioned by bending the leg away from the plate body
Implementation Method 2
The plate may be used to position a plate, such as a plate made of a nitinol alloy or another shape memory material, in position over the bone of a patient with the legs of the plate tensioned relative to the body of the plate. Upon disengagement of the plate and insertion tool, the legs will exert a compressive force to aid in bone healing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is plate insertion tool useful with bone plates having a body and a pair of retainers, such as facing, inwardly extending fingers, for clamping a bone plate therebetween, and a pusher movable relative to the body between a fully disengaged position and a fully engaged position, the pusher in use engaging a shoulder of the compression plate. When the pusher is in an engaged position, the legs of the plate are temporarily tensioned by bending the legs away from the body of the plate. The body of the tool includes a pivot joint about which said pusher pivots. The tool may be used to temporarily tension the legs of the plate prior to insertion into holes in a bone.