Bone Plate Track System for Adjustable Wedge Osteotomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current open-wedge osteotomy systems lack flexibility and compatibility with varying patient anatomies, requiring a large inventory of incompatible plate and wedge configurations, and often result in suboptimal plate placement due to predefined wedge orientations or the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a bone plate with a track system that allows a wedge implant to be slidably and rotatably engaged without additional attachment means, enabling optimal positioning and securement without screws, and a kit with interchangeable wedge bodies for different bone plates to accommodate various anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bone plate with an integral wedge is used, then the orientation of the wedge relative to the plate is predefined, but this reduces adaptability to different patient anatomies and incision locations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a bone plate and a wedge implant that can be independently positioned and attached. The bone plate includes a track system that allows the wedge to be placed at various locations and orientations, rather than being integral to the plate. This segmentation enables customization for different anatomies without requiring multiple pre-configured plate-wedge combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge implant can be dynamically positioned within the track of the bone plate before final attachment. The track allows movement of the wedge to optimal positions, and the wedge can be attached at any location along the track. This dynamic positioning capability provides versatility for different anatomical configurations while using a single standardized plate design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wedge is attached to the bone plate with a screw, then some flexibility is offered, but an additional component must be implanted in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is merged into the track-wedge interface itself. The track is designed to receive and secure the wedge implant directly, eliminating the need for separate attachment screws. The track structure incorporates the attachment mechanism, reducing the total number of components while maintaining positioning flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plate and plate-wedge configurations are kept in inventory, then compatibility with various anatomies is ensured, but device complexity and inventory management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is designed as a universal platform with a track system that can accommodate wedge implants in multiple positions and orientations. This single standardized plate design can be used with different wedge implants for various anatomical configurations, replacing the need for multiple specialized plate-wedge combinations. The track system provides multi-functionality, allowing the same plate to serve different surgical needs.
4Ease of operation
If a predefined wedge orientation is used, then the implantation process is simplified, but optimal plate positioning cannot always be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The optimal position for the wedge implant is determined during the implantation process itself, before final attachment. The surgeon can move the wedge along the track to find the optimal position, and once positioned, the wedge is secured. This preliminary positioning action allows optimization of plate placement while maintaining ease of operation through the simple track-based attachment mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for use in an open-wedge osteotomy, the implant comprising a plate including a first end and a second end, a first screw hole adjacent the first end, a second screw hole adjacent the second end, and at least one track having a first width disposed between the first and second screw holes; and a wedge body having an engagement portion that is passed through at least the first width of the at least one track so as to movably engage the wedge body with the plate.