Expandable Bone Plate Assembly for Vertebral Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate assemblies face challenges in achieving precise fit and stability, with fixed plates being cumbersome and prone to misplacement, while expandable plates risk mechanical failure post-implantation due to insecure interconnections.
Innovation Solution
An expandable bone plate assembly with slidably attached portions and a locking mechanism, utilizing guide pins and orthopedic instruments to align and secure bone screw holes, ensuring proper placement and stability by minimizing the risk of disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an expandable bone plate is used to facilitate easy sizing and placement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of mechanical failure and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is inserted into the vertebral body in a compressed state before expansion. The expansion is then performed in situ after the plate is securely positioned, ensuring proper alignment and stability before the mechanical expansion occurs. This preliminary positioning action prevents disassembly and ensures reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate is divided into multiple expandable segments or cells that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for controlled expansion while maintaining overall structural integrity, preventing mechanical failure and disassembly while preserving the ease of adjustment during implantation.
2Strength
If a fixed bone plate is used to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome placement and precise sizing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The plate can be compressed for easy insertion and then expanded in situ to achieve the desired size and structural integrity. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of placement and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed bone plate is segmented into expandable units that can be compressed for insertion and then expanded to achieve the required dimensions. This segmentation enables the plate to be easily placed in a compact state while providing full structural integrity when expanded, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the bone plate is made larger to ensure proper coverage, then reliability is improved, but harmful factors worsen due to over distraction and damage to adjacent vertebral bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate allows dynamic adjustment of its size during the surgical procedure. The plate can be inserted in a compressed state and then expanded to the exact size needed, preventing over distraction and damage to adjacent vertebral bodies while ensuring proper coverage and stability. This dynamic sizing eliminates the harmful effects of fixed oversized plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical dimensions of the bone plate can be changed from a compressed initial state to an expanded final state. This parameter change allows the plate to fit precisely within the vertebral body, preventing over distraction and damage to adjacent structures while maintaining reliability and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of installing bone plates on adjacent vertebrae are provided.