Expandable Bone Plate Pin Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate assemblies face challenges with fixed height plates being cumbersome to place and requiring exact sizing, while expandable plates risk mechanical failure post-implantation due to insecure interconnections.
Innovation Solution
An expandable bone plate assembly design featuring a top and bottom plate portion with a pin and lock screw mechanism, providing a secure expansion mechanism to prevent disassembly during and after implantation, with bone screw locks to prevent screw backout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fixed bone plate is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the plate is cumbersome to place and requires exact sizing
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate transitions from a fixed structure to an expandable structure, allowing dynamic adjustment of height during implantation. The plate can be compressed for insertion and then expanded to the desired height, combining the benefits of ease of placement with structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the plate to be assembled in a compressed state and then expanded, making it easier to place while maintaining structural strength.
2Strength
If a fixed bone plate is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the plate must be exactly the correct height or cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The plate incorporates an expansion mechanism that allows it to be adjusted from a compressed initial state to an expanded final state. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the plate to adapt to different vertebral heights while maintaining structural integrity throughout the adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical dimension (height) of the bone plate can be changed through the expansion mechanism. The plate transitions from a smaller compressed dimension during insertion to a larger expanded dimension for final fixation, allowing adaptation to different patient requirements.
3Ease of operation
If an expandable bone plate is used, then ease of placement is improved, but the mechanical mechanism may fail after implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion mechanism is pre-configured with interlocking components and locking features that ensure secure engagement after expansion. The mechanical design incorporates preliminary safety features such as locking lugs, splines, or friction-fit mechanisms that prevent failure during the post-implantation period.
4Ease of operation
If an expandable bone plate is used, then ease of placement is improved, but the interconnection between components may be insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection components are pre-designed with secure engagement features such as interference fits, keyways, splines, or threaded connections that ensure stable assembly. The expanding and contracting mechanisms incorporate preliminary locking features that maintain component integrity throughout the implantation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable bone plate assembly is provided having a top plate portion and a bottom plate portion. A back side of the top plate portion has a longitudinally extending blind slot. A transversely extending counterbore extends through front back sides of the top plate portion. A transversely extending bore extends through the front and back sides of the bottom plate portion. The bone plate assembly also includes a pin with a pin head and a pin shaft depending from the pin head. The pin shaft is disposed within the transversely extending bore of the bottom plate portion and has an outer diameter greater than the minor diameter of the transversely extending bore. The pin head is disposed against the longitudinally extending blind slot of the top plate portion.