Anterolateral Calcaneal Plate with Variable-Angle Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone plate designs for treating calcaneal fractures often require open surgical reduction and fixation, increasing the risk of complications and stiffness in the subtalar joint, and do not effectively address the unique anatomy and fracture patterns of the calcaneus bone.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate with angled first and second portions extending along longitudinal axes, featuring variable angle locking screw holes and an extension portion, designed to be positioned along the perimeter of the calcaneus bone bordering the subtalar joint, allowing for precise fixation and alignment with the bone's anatomy to stabilize fractures while minimizing tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open surgical reduction and fixation is used to treat calcaneal fractures, then fracture fixation is achieved, but the risk of dehiscence and joint stiffness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into two angled portions (first and second portions) that correspond to different anatomical regions of the calcaneus. This segmentation allows the plate to conform to the complex geometry of the calcaneus bone and subtalar joint region, providing stable fixation while requiring smaller, less invasive surgical access compared to a single large open incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate features openings with different configurations in different portions - the first portion has openings for screws at specific angles while the second portion has openings for screws at different angles. This local variation in opening design allows optimized screw placement in different anatomical regions, achieving reliable fixation while minimizing soft tissue disruption through targeted, localized access points.
2Reliability
If traditional bone plates are used for calcaneal fractures, then fixation is provided, but they do not effectively address the unique anatomy and fracture patterns of the calcaneus
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate features asymmetric geometry with a first portion and a second portion angled relative to each other, specifically designed to match the asymmetric anatomy of the calcaneus bone and subtalar joint region. This asymmetric design provides better anatomical conformity and fixation effectiveness compared to symmetric or generic bone plate designs, while maintaining versatility for different fracture patterns through variable angle openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate transitions from a single-plane design to a multi-planar design with two angled portions extending in different directions. This dimensional change allows the plate to address the three-dimensional complexity of calcaneal anatomy and fracture patterns, providing effective fixation that traditional single-plane plates cannot achieve.
3Manufacturing precision
If variable angle screw holes are implemented, then precise fixation at user-selected angles is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is pre-manufactured with openings configured to receive screws at specific predetermined angles. This preliminary preparation of opening orientations eliminates the need for complex intraoperative angle adjustments or specialized drilling guides, achieving precise screw placement while actually simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Plate for treating calcaneal fractures includes (A) first portion (FP) extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and including first openings extending therethrough from a first surface which, when Plate is positioned on bone in desired position, faces away from bone, to a second surface which, in desired position, faces toward bone and (B) second portion (SP) extending along a second longitudinal axis from a first end connected to the second end of FP to a second end, FP/SP being angled relative to one another so, when Plate is positioned along desired portion of bone, FP/SP extend parallel to s uperior surface of bone bordering a subtalar joint, SP including second openings extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. Each of first/second openings receive a bone fixation element at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof.