Bone Plate with Recessed Staple Receiver for Midfoot Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic plating constructs fail to consistently immobilize bone portions in load-bearing applications, particularly in midfoot plating, where plantar gapping occurs due to insufficient compression and instability, and they lack the strength and stiffness needed to maintain compression over time.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate system combining a staple and plate with a recessed portion to receive a staple bridge, along with threaded screw holes for compression screws, which allows for active compression and immobilization of bone portions, addressing the limitations of plate-only and staple-only constructs by providing enhanced stability and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a bone plate is used to immobilize bone portions, then the bone portions adjacent to the plate are immobilized, but the bone portions furthest away from the plate are not sufficiently immobilized due to plate flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and secured. Each segment can be fixed to bone portions using screws, allowing the plate to better conform to the bone anatomy and distribute loads more effectively, thereby reducing overall plate flexing while maintaining immobilization of distant bone portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate incorporates composite materials or multi-layer construction that combines materials with different mechanical properties. This allows the plate to have regions of high stiffness for strength and regions of appropriate flexibility for stress distribution, preventing excessive flexing while maintaining sufficient immobilization capability.
2Force
If a bone plate and screws are tightened to provide fixed compressive force, then initial compression is achieved, but the compression amount diminishes over time due to loosening and bone remodeling
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system incorporates dynamic elements that allow for controlled movement and adaptation over time. This includes features such as adjustable compression mechanisms, movable fixation elements, or designs that accommodate bone remodeling while maintaining compression, allowing the system to adapt to changing biological conditions without losing compressive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to maintain compressive force continuously over the healing period through mechanisms such as compression springs, elastic elements, or continuous compression screws that can be adjusted to compensate for bone remodeling, ensuring uninterrupted compression throughout the fusion process.
3Force
If staples are used to provide compressive force, then compression is applied at the crown of the staple, but the crown is far less resistant to bending than a plate in load bearing applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the compression capability of staples with the structural strength of bone plates by integrating staple receivers into the plate design. This allows the plate to provide bending resistance and structural support while the staples embedded in the plate maintain compressive force at the bone interface, achieving both compression and strength simultaneously.
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
The system effectively immobilizes bone portions by applying consistent compressive force, preventing motion between bone segments under load, and improving the strength and stiffness of both staple and plate constructs, ensuring stable bone fusion and healing.
Implementation Method 1
a recessed portion configured to receive a staple bridge of the staple
Implementation Method 2
the plate can include one or more compression screws... capable of inducing compression into the associated bone
Implementation Method 3
if the staple is comprised of a superelastic alloy, for example, Nitinol... apply a compressive force that continues over time
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
Figure 9~14
AI summary
This bone plate comprises a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a first thickness defined from the distal surface to the proximal surface; a first screw hole, a second screw hole; and, a recessed portion connecting a first through-hole to a second through-hole, the recessed portion configured to at least partially receive a bone staple.