Crossing Anchor Bone Plate for Adjustable Extremity Joint Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone fixation implants lack flexibility in bone-to-bone alignment and fusion, requiring multiple components and intricate mating features, leading to increased costs and less desirable healing outcomes, especially for smaller bones.

Innovation Solution

A bone fixation system with a bone plate and bone anchors, including proximal and distal through-holes, and a crossing anchor that spans bone segments, allowing for flexible alignment and fusion with minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bone fixation implants use generic screws and wires, then the joint fusion is achieved with rigid alignment, but the adjustability intraoperatively is very limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability intraoperativelyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate incorporates adjustable locking mechanisms that allow dynamic modification of bone alignment during surgery. The plate can be pre-formed in different configurations and adjusted intraoperatively to accommodate varying bone geometries and fusion requirements, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation system is divided into modular components including the bone plate, interchangeable locking elements, and anchor structures. This segmentation allows selective combination of different components to achieve various alignment configurations without requiring entirely different implants for each surgical scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional implants require multiple components with intricate mating features, then customization for different bones is achieved, but the costs increase and procedures become more invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for different bonesVSAvoidinvasiveness of procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple bone types and locations through standardized mounting features and interchangeable locking elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for entirely different implants for each bone, reducing surgical complexity and invasiveness while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional bone fixation implants are used, then bone fusion is achieved, but the healing outcomes are less desirable due to limited flexibility in alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing outcomesVSAvoidflexibility in bone-to-bone alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows modification of critical alignment parameters such as angular orientation, positional offset, and rotational angle through adjustable locking mechanisms. These parameter changes enable optimization of bone alignment for each specific case, improving healing outcomes by matching the biological healing process with mechanically optimal configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260013917A1System for joint fixation of extremity bone and related methods

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 FORMA MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A bone fixation system configured to fix one or more bone segments of extremity bones is provided.