Bone Plate with Spiral Slots for Elastic Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Osteosynthesis plates can alter load distribution in bones, leading to bone resorption or fracture due to implant-induced stress risers, and their high stiffness can suppress interfragmentary motion necessary for fracture healing, potentially delaying or preventing callus formation.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate with spiral-shaped slots that form a spring element surrounding the receiving holes, allowing axial translation parallel to the plate surface while limiting motion perpendicular to the plate surface, thereby reducing stress concentrations and promoting fracture healing by enabling controlled motion between bone fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone screws compress a plate onto the bone surface, then stable fixation is provided, but bone resorption or fracture may occur due to altered load distribution and stress risers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the plate-bone interface from rigid compression to elastic suspension. The slots transform the plate's structural rigidity, allowing it to deform elastically under load, thereby redistributing stress away from stress concentration points and preventing bone resorption and fracture while maintaining fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the osteosynthesis construct through the slot mechanism. The plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its stiffness based on loading conditions, enabling controlled motion that promotes fracture healing while maintaining stable fixation.
2Reliability
If locking plates with threaded receiving holes are used, then angle-stable engagement is achieved, but interfragmentary motion necessary for fracture healing is suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiving hole structure by introducing slots that separate the hole from the plate's rigid structure. This segmentation creates an elastic suspension system where the hole can move independently relative to the plate, allowing interfragmentary motion for healing while maintaining the threaded engagement for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the receiving hole from fixed rigid position to elastic suspended position. The slots enable the receiving hole to undergo controlled displacement and rotation, providing the interfragmentary motion necessary for callus formation while preserving the angle-stable engagement capability of the threaded structure.
3Reliability
If high stiffness plate constructs are used, then stable fixation is provided, but relative displacement between bone fragments is suppressed, delaying or preventing callus formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static rigid plate into a dynamic flexible structure through the slot mechanism. The plate can now adapt its stiffness dynamically, providing stable fixation while allowing controlled relative displacement between bone fragments, thereby promoting timely callus formation and reducing healing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the slot mechanism to create a flexible structural element within the plate. The slots act as flexible zones that allow the plate to deform and accommodate bone fragment movement, enabling stable fixation with controlled flexibility that promotes fracture healing by callus formation.
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 elastic suspension of receiving holes in the osteosynthesis plate improves load distribution, reduces stress risers, and allows for controlled motion between bone fragments, enhancing fracture healing by callus formation while maintaining stability and reducing axial stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more spiral-shaped slots form a spring element, the spring element at least partially surrounding the receiving hole and permitting axial translation of the bone plate relative to the one or more receiving holes
Implementation Method 2
the one or more spiral-shaped slots form a spring element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone. In various embodiments, the systems and plates may provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension may promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments, for instance if fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate may enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate, which may promote fracture healing by callus formation.