Disposable Orthopaedic Surgery Kit Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bone plate systems for internal fixation of fractured bones require a large inventory of components, leading to high costs and logistical challenges due to the need for extensive sterilization and manufacturer assistance, as they are typically provided in reusable trays with more components than necessary for a specific surgical indication.
Innovation Solution
A disposable single-indication orthopedic trauma surgical kit containing a precontoured bone plate, fasteners, a torque driver, wire drills, and a depth gauge, all in a sterile sealed container, designed for specific anatomical regions, which can be steam autoclaved for reuse, reducing the need for extensive inventory and manufacturer assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large inventory of bone plate components is provided in reusable trays, then complete sterilization and surgical readiness are ensured, but costs and logistical complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bone plate system into multiple single-indication kits, each containing only the specific components needed for a particular surgical procedure. This segmentation eliminates the need to manage large inventories of all possible bone plate components while ensuring each kit is complete and sterile for its specific indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable single-use bone plate kits that are pre-sterilized and packaged. After one use, the entire kit is discarded rather than reprocessed. This approach eliminates the need for repeated sterilization of reusable trays and components, reducing logistical complexity while maintaining sterility assurance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reusable trays with multiple bone plate components are used, then versatility for different surgical indications is provided, but repeated sterilization and manufacturer assistance requirements increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing one versatile reusable tray for all surgical indications, the system segments the offering into multiple specialized single-indication kits. Each kit is optimized for a specific bone and surgical indication, eliminating the need for manufacturer assistance in assembling appropriate components while reducing sterilization costs through single-use design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-indication kits are designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, with all necessary components pre-assembled and labeled for specific surgical procedures. This eliminates the need for manufacturer representatives to assist with tray assembly and reduces the burden on surgical facilities to manage complex inventory and sterilization protocols.
3Reliability
If many bone plate fasteners of numerous sizes and types are provided, then completeness for various patient anatomies is ensured, but the cost and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener inventory is segmented into specific sets included in each single-indication kit. Each kit contains only the fastener sizes and types needed for that particular surgical indication, eliminating the need to store and manage a comprehensive inventory of all possible fastener variations across the entire bone plate system.
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
This solution minimizes the variety of required fastener types, reduces the size and cost of the kit, increases availability, simplifies the surgical procedure, and ensures that components are always new and sterile, potentially leading to reduced surgical duration and improved clinical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
which can be steam autoclaved for reuse
Data Source
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AI summary
A bone plate system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of a patient, the system comprising: a bone plate comprising a bone-facing bottom surface, an opposing top surface, and a thickness between the surfaces, the bone plate further comprising one or more threaded bone fastener apertures and one or more non-threaded bone fastener apertures; and a plurality of bone fasteners, each fastener comprising a shaft and a head, the heads being dimensioned and configured to threadedly engage the threaded bone fastener apertures to provide a fixed angle locking construct, the heads also being dimensioned and configured to directly engage the non-threaded bone fastener apertures to provide a polyaxial non-locking compressive construct.