Dorsal Osteotomy Fixation Plate with Movable Cutting Guide
Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteotomy procedures for treating bone deformities, such as hallux valgus, face challenges including limited screw purchase due to soft and cystic bone, difficulty in achieving consistent osteotomy and transposition, and the need for multiple devices and personnel, leading to precision and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
An osteotomy fixation system comprising a jig with a movable cutting guide and a fixation plate that allows for precise bone cutting and transposition, featuring a rotatable rod and transposition mechanism for axial and lateral movement, and a fixation plate positioned dorsally to avoid shoe irritation and provide stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If compression screws are used for fixation, then screw purchase is improved, but screw loosening and failure still occur due to soft and cystic bone in the metatarsal head
Solution Approach 1:
A dorsal plate is introduced as an intermediary fixation device that spans across the osteotomy site and anchors into the dorsal metatarsal shaft, providing stable fixation without relying on the compromised metatarsal head bone quality. The plate acts as a mediator that transfers and distributes mechanical loads away from the soft and cystic bone in the head region.
2Force
If screws are used for fixation, then compression is provided, but screws limit the amount of bone that can be removed dorsally or medially due to fear of destabilizing the osteotomy
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation approach transitions from relying solely on vertical screw compression to incorporating a dorsal plate that provides stabilization in multiple dimensions. The plate's dorsal positioning and longitudinal spanning capability enable bone removal from dorsal and medial aspects while maintaining fixation stability through the plate's structural support.
3Reliability
If fixation plates are applied medially on the metatarsal head, then fixation is provided, but the plates are bulky and cause medial shoe irritation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the fixation plate on the medial side of the metatarsal head, the plate is inverted to the dorsal side. This positional inversion resolves the shoe irritation problem by moving the bulky hardware away from the medial aspect where shoes apply pressure, while the plate continues to provide stable fixation through its dorsal anchoring and spanning configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices and personnel are used for osteotomy procedures, then complex procedures can be performed, but precision and uniformity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide and fixation plate are merged into an integrated device assembly. The cutting guide incorporates registration features that align with the fixation plate's attachment points, ensuring that the osteotomy cut is precisely positioned relative to the fixation structure. This integration eliminates variability introduced by separate devices and multiple operators, achieving consistent precision across procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An all-in-one osteotomy fixation device, along with various related components, systems, and methods. The various embodiments include a device body, a bone attachment structure, a removable slot body, and a movable cutting guide moveably attached to the body via a guide coupling structure. The various methods include using any single device embodiment herein to perform all of the steps of the osteotomy procedure.