Guided Locking Screw Mechanism for Orthopedic Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking plate systems face issues with cross-threading and misalignment of locking screws due to their threaded screw holes, which complicates the anchoring process in orthopedic bone fracture repairs.
Innovation Solution
A locking plate system featuring a screw guide with a central opening and attachment flange that aligns with the locking plate's screw holes, ensuring the locking screw remains perpendicular and preventing cross-threading by matching the inner and outer diameters of the screw guide and screw holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking plates use threaded screw holes for anchoring, then the plate can be secured to bone, but cross-threading and misalignment of locking screws occur
Solution Approach 1:
A guide bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking plate and the locking screw. The guide bushing has a central opening that guides the locking screw into proper alignment with the threaded screw hole, preventing cross-threading and misalignment while maintaining secure anchoring
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system is divided into separate functional components: the locking plate with threaded holes, the guide bushing with alignment opening, and the locking screw. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the threaded holes provide anchoring strength, while the guide bushing ensures precise alignment
2Productivity
If locking screws are inserted directly into threaded screw holes, then anchoring is achieved, but cross-threading occurs compromising the anchoring quality
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bushing is pre-installed into the locking plate before inserting the locking screw. This preliminary action establishes the correct alignment path, ensuring that when the locking screw is inserted, it automatically follows the guided path and engages the threaded hole correctly, preventing cross-threading and ensuring high anchoring quality
Data Source
AI summary
A locking plate system includes a locking plate having a screw hole with an inner diameter and internal threads, and a slot formed in a top surface of the locking plate adjacent the screw hole. The system includes a screw guide having a main body including an upper end and a lower end, and an attachment flange projecting from the lower end of the main body for insertion into the slot. The screw guide includes a central opening having an inner diameter that matches the inner diameter of the screw hole. The system includes a locking screw having external threads extending along the length thereof. The external threads have an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the central opening of the screw guide. The locking screw is insertable into the central opening of the screw guide for being directed into the screw hole.