Contoured Locking Plate With Intramedullary Blade For Periprosthetic Fracture Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Periprosthetic fractures around joint replacement surgeries pose a challenge due to inadequate fixation of bone fragments, leading to potential failure of the prosthetic joint, as there is a lack of healthy bone for secure attachment and existing fixation methods may result in abnormal stresses and incorrect healing.
Innovation Solution
A plating system comprising contoured locking plates and an intramedullary rod with transverse holes, along with fasteners and nuts, that are configured to securely attach to bone fragments across the fracture, utilizing a bone gripping mechanism with a C-shaped blade to provide stable fixation and prevent movement in six degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fixation methods are used, then the surgical procedure is simple, but the fixation strength is inadequate due to lack of healthy bone
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is inserted into the medullary cavity of the bone, nesting the fixation mechanism within the bone structure itself. This provides internal support from the intramedullary rod combined with external stabilization from the locking plate, creating a nested fixation system that maximizes strength without requiring additional external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system transitions from two-dimensional plate-to-bone attachment to three-dimensional stabilization by inserting the blade into the medullary cavity. This adds a depth dimension to the fixation, allowing the fastener to engage the bone from multiple directions and significantly improve fixation strength in compromised bone.
2Stability of the object's composition
If simple plates are used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the plates cannot prevent movement in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The blade nested within the medullary cavity provides internal stabilization that complements the external locking plate. This nested configuration prevents movement in all six degrees of freedom by distributing stabilizing forces through both internal and external structures, achieving comprehensive stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the intramedullary blade component, the system moves from planar stabilization to three-dimensional control. The blade extends into the depth of the bone, allowing prevention of movement in directions that a simple surface plate cannot control, thereby achieving complete stabilization.
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure plates, then the fixation is more reliable, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener merges multiple functions into a single component: it secures the locking plate to the bone, anchors the blade in the medullary cavity, and provides compression across the fracture site. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining or improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a securing mechanism for the plate, an anchoring element for the blade, and a compression device for the fracture. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while enhancing fixation reliability through multiple action mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
AI summary
A plating system for mending a periprosthetic fracture is provided. The system includes an intramedullary rod, a first and second plate, and a plurality of fasteners. The intramedullary rod has a plurality of transverse holes. The first and second locking plates each have a plurality of openings and is configured to have a contour similar to a surface of a bone to which the plate is applied. Also provided is method of mending fractures by using the disclosed system. In the implanted condition, the first and second locking plates are placed across the periprosthetic fracture and each of the plurality of fasteners is inserted through one opening of the first and second plurality of openings and one transverse hole.