Bone Plate Segmented Design for Fracture Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plates face challenges in achieving precise intraoperative correction and stable fixation, particularly in treating fractures of small bones like phalanges and metacarpal bones, where anatomical restoration is difficult due to the presence of nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments, often resulting in inadequate fracture treatment with issues like loss of length and rotation.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate design featuring a first linear plate portion with a longitudinal axis and a second plate portion extending perpendicularly, incorporating elongate holes that allow for sliding movement of fastening elements, enabling provisional fixation and intraoperative correction, along with circular passage openings for additional stability, facilitating precise repositioning of bone fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circular passage openings are used to ensure stable fixation, then reliability of fixation is improved, but adaptability for intraoperative correction is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is segmented into a first plate portion with a first elongate hole for provisional fixation and adaptability, and a second plate portion with a second elongate hole perpendicular to the first, allowing independent adjustment in two different directions. This segmentation enables different regions of the plate to serve different functions - one for initial stabilization and another for rotational or angular correction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second elongate hole that extends perpendicular to the first elongate hole, adding a second dimension of adjustment capability. The first elongate hole allows movement along the longitudinal axis, while the second perpendicular elongate hole enables rotation or angular adjustment, transforming a one-dimensional adjustment system into a two-dimensional adjustment system
2Adaptability or versatility
If provisional fixation with repositioning capability is provided using elongate holes, then adaptability for correction is improved, but fixation stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate system transitions from a static fixation state to a dynamic adjustment state through the elongate holes. During the provisional fixation phase, the elongate holes allow dynamic repositioning and adjustment. Once optimal positioning is achieved, the system can be converted to a static stable state through final tightening of fastening elements, which lock the bone plate in place
3Ease of manufacture
If the bone plate structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but functionality for complex fracture correction is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into two distinct plate portions (first and second plate portions) with different orientations and functions. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through standardized production methods for each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate design incorporates multiple elongate holes that can serve different functions depending on the surgical requirement. The first elongate hole can be used for longitudinal adjustment while the second perpendicular elongate hole provides rotational adjustment capability, making the plate universally applicable for various fracture types and correction needs
Data Source
AI summary
A bone plate particularly suited for fractures that require the intraoperative correction in rotational and lengthwise axis described. The bone plate comprises a first, linear plate portion having a longitudinal axis and a first elongate hole extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The bone plate further comprises at least one second plate portion which extends substantially perpendicularly to the first plate portion. The second plate portion comprises a second elongate hole which extends roughly perpendicularly to the first elongate hole.