Cable Retaining Insert for Bone Plate Angular Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone plate assemblies for fracture fixation lack versatility and stability, particularly in providing angular stability and preventing bone anchor pull-out during cerclage wiring techniques.

Innovation Solution

A cable retaining insert designed to be used in conjunction with a bone plate, allowing for angular stability of the bone anchor without the need for a separate bone anchor in the hole, and providing a mechanism for guiding cerclage wires while compressing bone fragments through a ramped recess, enhancing fixation and healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a separate bone anchor is used in the hole for angular stability, then angular stability is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retaining insert integrates the functions of a separate bone anchor and cable guide into a single component. The insert includes a head that engages with the bone anchor to provide angular stability, and an eyelet that guides the cable, eliminating the need for separate components while achieving the same functional outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable retaining insert serves multiple functions: it provides angular stability through its head engagement with the bone anchor, guides the cable through its eyelet, and can be inserted into the hole without requiring a separate bone anchor. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cable retaining insert is added to provide angular stability and guide cables, then stability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retaining insert is designed to perform multiple functions: providing angular stability, guiding cables, and working with or without bone anchors. This multi-functionality increases versatility without requiring multiple separate components, as the single insert handles various fixation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is divided into functional segments: a head portion for engaging bone anchors and providing angular stability, and an eyelet portion for guiding cables. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while being integrated into a single component that enhances versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the bone plate profile is minimized, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to accommodate additional fixation components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retaining insert is designed to be inserted into the hole of the bone plate, with only its eyelet protruding from the plate surface. This nesting arrangement maintains a low bone plate profile for ease of operation while still accommodating the insert's multiple functions for angular stability and cable guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert utilizes the depth dimension of the bone plate hole to house its functional components (head for anchor engagement, body for structural support), allowing only the essential eyelet to protrude from the plate surface. This dimensional arrangement maintains a low profile while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3375394B1Cable retaining insert and bone plate assembly with such a cable retaining insert
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 BIEDERMANN TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3375394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3375394B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3375394B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

A cable retaining insert configured to be used with a plate member of a bone plate assembly is provided, the cable retaining insert (5, 5') including a top side (5a) and an opposite bottom side (5b), a first portion (51) adjacent to the bottom side (5b) comprising an engagement structure (51a) configured to engage a corresponding engagement structure in the plate member (1), a second portion (53) adjacent to the top side (5a) comprising at least one cable retaining aperture (54) configured to retain a cable (200) to the plate member (1), wherein the first portion (51) of the cable retaining insert (5, 5') has a recess (52, 52') at the bottom side (5b) for accommodating at least a portion of a head (42) of a bone anchor (4). Furthermore, a bone plate assembly including a plate member (1) and such a cable retaining insert (5) is provided.