Bone Plate Through-Openings for Dynamic Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plating systems lack the ability to provide stabilization with appropriate locking and/or unlocking capabilities for dynamic compression of bones, particularly in anatomical areas like the ankle, limiting treatment options for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization system comprising bone plates with through-openings that accommodate both locking and non-locking fasteners, allowing for dynamic compression, and featuring various hole designs and configurations to accommodate different fixation methods such as screws and suture buttons, tailored to fit specific bone structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate uses only locking screws for fixation, then the bone fracture stabilization is secure, but the ability to provide dynamic compression is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The through-opening in the plate is designed with a stacked configuration containing both a threaded portion (for locking screws) and a non-threaded portion (for compression screws), enabling a single hole to accommodate multiple fastener types and provide both stabilization and dynamic compression functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If a plate uses only non-locking compression screws, then dynamic compression of bone is achieved, but the stabilization and locking capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The through-opening design allows selection between locking and non-locking fasteners based on surgical needs, with the stacked threaded and non-threaded portions enabling both compression and stabilization functions within the same plate structure
3Device complexity
If the plate design is simplified to accept only one type of fastener, then the device complexity is reduced, but the treatment options for different fracture types are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The plate incorporates through-openings with stacked threaded and non-threaded portions, allowing a single plate design to accommodate multiple fastener types (locking screws, compression screws, suture buttons) and provide versatile treatment options for different fracture patterns and surgeon preferences
4Stress or pressure
If the plate uses a large contact area with bone, then the stress concentration in bone is reduced, but the ability to provide focused compression at specific fracture sites is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design combines a large overall contact area with bone (dispersing load) with localized compression capability through non-threaded through-openings that accept compression fasteners, enabling focused compression at specific fracture sites while maintaining low stress concentration across the overall plate-bone interface
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods of bone stabilization. The bone stabilization system includes a bone plate having an upper surface and a lower surface configured to be in contact with bone, the bone plate having an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening is configured to receive a fastener, which may be either a locking fastener or a compression fastener.