Compressive Bone Plate for Stabilizing Comminuted Fractures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone fixation systems struggle to effectively stabilize highly comminuted bone fractures, as small bone fragments are often too small for conventional bone screws, leaving them untreated.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate designed to apply compressive force by moving from a loaded position to a compression position, using a resilient material that biases to return to its original position, allowing for the stabilization of comminuted bone fragments and promoting bone healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bone screws are used to stabilize bone fractures, then bone fragments can be fixed to the bone plate, but small comminuted bone fragments are too small to receive bone screws and remain untreated
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into multiple independently movable segments or zones that can be compressed differently. Each segment can be independently adjusted to apply compression to small bone fragments, allowing the system to adapt to varying fragment sizes and provide reliable stabilization where conventional single-plate systems fail.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bone plate compression is added to stabilize comminuted fractures, then small bone fragments can be treated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression mechanism is merged with the bone plate structure itself, combining the functions of fixation and compression into a single integrated device. The bone plate includes built-in compression elements such as resilient arms or movable segments that can be activated during implantation to compress small fragments, eliminating the need for separate compression devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, secures bone fragments through integrated fixation elements, and applies compression to small comminuted fragments. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address highly comminuted fractures that would traditionally require multiple separate treatments or devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bone plate effectively compresses and stabilizes comminuted bone fragments, improving bone healing by applying a consistent compressive force to small fragments that conventional systems cannot address.
Implementation Method 1
the bone plate can be movable from a first position to a loaded position, and the bone plate is further biased to iterate from the loaded position toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A bone plate is provided that is configured to provide compression to comminuted bone fragments, so as to reduce the respective bone gaps and promote healing. The bone plate can be moved from a first position to a loaded position, and placed against bone in the loaded position. The bone plate can then be secured to underlying bone. The bone plate then moves to an intermediate compression position that compresses bone fragments of a comminuted bone fracture together. An insertion instrument is also described that can be used to place the bone plate against the underlying bone, and guide insertion of a bone anchor to secure the bone plate to the underlying bone.