Elastic Plate Fixation for Posterolateral Bone Fragment Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intramedullary fixation methods fail to stably fix posterolateral bone fragments in femoral trochanteric fractures with posterolateral defects, leading to complications like bone head rotation and prolonged fusion.

Innovation Solution

A treatment tool with an elastic, curved plate that uses restoring forces from deformation to press and stabilize posterolateral bone fragments from both anterior and posterior sides, preventing separation and facilitating stable bone fusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional intramedullary fixation method is used, then the main bone fracture is fixed, but the posterolateral bone fragments are not fixed and the treatment is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of fracture fixationVSAvoidability to fix posterolateral bone fragments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is divided into two functional components: the intramedullary nail for fixing the main bone fracture and the elastic plate for specifically fixing the posterolateral bone fragments. This segmentation allows each component to address specific fixation needs, with the elastic plate providing targeted stabilization to the posterolateral region that the intramedullary nail cannot achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic plate is designed to be used in conjunction with and supplement the intramedullary nail system. The plate works nested within the overall fixation framework, providing additional fixation capability for specific bone fragments while the intramedullary nail handles the primary fracture stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If posterolateral bone fragments are not fixed, then the fixation procedure is simpler, but complications such as bone head rotation and prolonged fusion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of fixation procedureVSAvoidcomplications like bone head rotation and prolonged fusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic plate acts as an intermediary device that specifically addresses the posterolateral bone fragments. By introducing this intermediate fixation element, the system can stabilize the problematic posterolateral region without requiring complete redesign of the entire fixation procedure, thus limiting the increase in complexity to only the necessary additional component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If elastic plate with pressing portion is used, then posterolateral bone fragments are stabilized, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of posterolateral bone fragment fixationVSAvoidstructure of elastic plate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic plate utilizes changes in its physical parameters, specifically its curvature and elastic properties, to generate the necessary pressing force. By deforming the plate during installation, it stores elastic energy that automatically translates into continuous pressing force on the bone fragments, eliminating the need for additional mechanical pressing mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic plate is designed to be self-adjusting and self-stabilizing. When installed in its deformed state, it automatically generates and maintains the pressing force needed to stabilize the posterolateral bone fragments without requiring external actuation or additional control mechanisms. The plate's inherent elastic properties provide the self-service function of maintaining fixation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 tool effectively stabilizes posterolateral bone fragments, reducing complications such as bone head rotation and prolonged fusion, ensuring successful bone fusion by maintaining the restored position until the fragments are fully joined.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic plate which has a curved shape or can be curved and which has at least one pressing portion that presses a fractured portion from one side by a restoring force generated by deformation of widening the curvature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11786280B2Treatment tool

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 NAKASHIMA HEALTHFORCE CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a treatment tool cable of satisfactorily treating long tubular bone fractures, such as femoral trochanteric fractures and subtrochanteric fractures. The treatment tool comprises an elastic plate 2 that has a curved shape or that can be curved, the plate comprising at least one pressing portion 20 that is provided at one end in the width direction of the plate and that presses the trochanter 103 of the femur 100 from the posterior side by a restoring force that is generated by deformation of widening the curvature.