Cable Bone Plate Fixation for Thin Rib Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plate systems face challenges in stabilizing thin rib bones during thoracotomy procedures, including difficulty in drilling pilot holes, achieving precise alignment, and minimizing damage to the bone and surrounding tissues due to the thin and delicate nature of rib bones.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate system utilizing cable connector devices with flexible cable portions that can be cut to length, allowing for secure fixation without exerting outward forces on the bone, and a locking mechanism with crimpable portions to reduce the profile and enhance stability, enabling precise alignment and secure fixation without the need for bone screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bone screws are driven into rib portions to secure the bone plate, then sufficient purchase in the bone is achieved, but outward pressure is exerted on the thin rib bone which may splinter the bone and extend screw shanks beyond the rib irritating chest cavity tissues
Solution Approach 1:
A cable connector device serves as an intermediary between the bone plate and the rib portions. The cable passes through the bone plate and is secured within cavities in the rib portions, providing fixation without the need for rigid bone screws that exert outward pressure. This intermediary mechanism achieves sufficient bone purchase while avoiding bone splintering and tissue irritation.
2Manufacturing precision
If pilot holes are drilled in rib portions to align with bone plate throughbores, then precise alignment can be achieved, but drilling is difficult because rib portions are hard to manipulate after being cut
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector devices are prepared in advance with cables of appropriate lengths and configurations before the rib portions are manipulated or positioned. The bone plate is also prepared with throughbores and cavities pre-formed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for difficult post-cut drilling and alignment operations, as all components are ready for direct assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If suture wire is looped around ribs and tightened to approximate rib positions, then rib approximation is achieved, but the delicate neurovascular bundle extending along the underside of the rib may be pinched
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector device acts as an intermediary that distributes the approximation force through the bone plate structure rather than concentrating it at a single looped wire position. The cable passes through the bone plate and is secured within cavities, distributing pressure away from the neurovascular bundle while still achieving effective rib approximation and stabilization.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a bone plate system is provided including a bone plate and a plurality of cable connector devices configured to be inserted into throughbores formed in bone portions and through openings of the bone plate member aligned therewith. The cable connector devices each include opposite end portions with one end portion configured to abut against the bone adjacent the throughbore and the other end portion configured to be operatively fixed to the bone plate member with the cable portion extending therebetween and in the bone throughbore for securing the bone plate member to the bone portion with the cable connector devices including a cable portion thereof extending in the bone throughbore.