Hybrid Bone Plate and Intramedullary Nail for Humerus Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical plating systems for proximal humerus fractures often lead to humeral head collapse during healing, and there is a need for improved stabilization methods that provide appropriate load distribution and fracture fixation without causing stress concentration or impingement.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization system comprising a bone plate and an intramedullary nail, with various types of fasteners such as locking, non-locking, and polyaxial screws, designed to provide dynamic compression and secure fixation to the humerus, including drill guides for precise pilot hole alignment to facilitate accurate fastener placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plating alone is used for proximal humerus fracture fixation, then the fracture can be stabilized, but humeral head collapse occurs during healing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a bone plate with an intramedullary nail into a hybrid fixation system. The bone plate provides external stabilization while the intramedullary nail provides internal support within the humeral canal, together preventing humeral head collapse during fracture healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The intramedullary nail is inserted inside the intramedullary canal of the humerus, nesting an internal support structure within the bone itself, while the bone plate is positioned externally. This nested configuration provides multi-level stabilization without excessive complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If locking screws are used to compress the bone, then dynamic compression is achieved, but stress concentration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different types of fasteners at different locations on the bone plate - locking fasteners in some regions for compression, non-locking fasteners in other regions for flexible compression, and polyaxial fasteners for angled compression. This localized differentiation allows dynamic compression where needed while minimizing stress concentration through appropriate fastener selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates both locking and non-locking fasteners, allowing dynamic adjustment of compression forces. The non-locking fasteners permit controlled movement and adaptive compression, while locking fasteners provide stable fixation, creating a dynamic fixation system that adapts to healing requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of fasteners are used for flexible placement, then load distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is designed with multiple types of fastener openings (locking, non-locking, and polyaxial) integrated into a single unified plate structure. This allows one plate component to serve multiple fixation functions, accommodating different fastener types for various compression and stabilization needs without requiring multiple separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for bone stabilization, especially proximal humeral stabilization. The stabilization system may include a bone plate having an elongated portion extending along a longitudinal axis and an enlarged head portion extending from the elongated portion. The stabilization system may include an intramedullary nail having an upper portion and a lower portion extending from the upper portion, the upper portion and the lower portion including a plurality of holes. A plurality of fasteners may be configured to extend through one or more of the plurality of through holes in the bone plate and/or one or more of the plurality of holes in the intramedullary nail and into the bone. The plate and nail may each be used alone or in combination together to stabilize a fracture in a long bone, such as a humerus.