Bone Plate Suture Anchor Insert Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bone fractures associated with soft tissue separation require effective anchoring methods that limit the availability of suture attachment locations on bone plates, restricting surgical flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of suture anchor inserts that can be slidably inserted into bone plates, featuring flexible crossbars and deformable ends to secure sutures, allowing for adjustable placement and increased variability in suture attachment points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sutures are threaded through holes in the bone plate before the plate is secured to the bone, then the sutures can be secured to the plate, but the suture attachment locations are limited to pre-drilled holes in the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the suture anchoring function into separate components: the bone plate and removable suture anchor inserts. Each insert can be independently positioned and secured, allowing multiple attachment locations without requiring pre-drilled holes in the plate itself. The inserts are placed in slots or channels on the plate, providing modular flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchor inserts are designed to be removable and repositionable, transforming the static suture attachment system into a dynamic one. Surgeons can adjust insert positions along the plate's slots or channels to optimize suture placement, and inserts can be removed and repositioned if needed during surgery.
2Reliability
If the bone plate is secured to the bone first, then the fracture can be stabilized, but suture attachment options become restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is first secured to the bone to establish stable fracture fixation. Then, suture anchor inserts are added to the already-secured plate, allowing sutures to be attached without compromising the initial stabilization. This sequence ensures reliable fracture fixation while maintaining subsequent suture placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchor inserts are designed to fit into slots or channels on the bone plate, creating a nested structure. The inserts are embedded within the plate's structure, allowing them to be added after plate fixation without interfering with the plate-bone connection, thus maintaining both stabilization and suture flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple suture attachment points are provided on the bone plate, then surgical flexibility increases, but the plate design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of incorporating multiple attachment features directly into the plate, the invention segments the suture attachment function into separate removable inserts. Each insert provides attachment capability, and multiple inserts can be used along the plate's slots without complicating the plate's basic design. The plate structure remains simple with just slots or channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate is designed with universal slots or channels that can accommodate different types of suture anchor inserts at multiple positions. This multi-functional design allows the same plate structure to support various suture attachment configurations without requiring complex plate modifications for each specific attachment need.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture anchor insert comprising a body configured to be inserted into a hole in a bone plate. The body has a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending between the proximal and distal ends and substantially corresponding to a thickness of a bone plate, a sidewall, at least one plate engaging member extending outwardly from the sidewall to secure the body to the bone plate, a recess defined by the sidewall, and a transverse edge formed on the sidewall. A crossbar extends inwardly from the sidewall across the recess such that a free end of the crossbar is normally disposed distally of the transverse edge. The crossbar is flexible such that when a distally directed force is applied, the free end of the crossbar is positionable in the recess. The free end of the crossbar is engageable with the transverse edge to limit proximal motion of the crossbar.