Mating Plate Fixation for Metatarsal Alignment in Bunionectomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bunionectomy surgery often faces recurrence due to changes in metatarsal alignment post-surgery, necessitating secure fixation of cut bone sections to ensure successful correction.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a saw template with pin holes, K-wire pins, and a saw block to accurately cut and reassemble metatarsal bone segments at a corrective angle, secured using a mating plate and bone screws to prevent bunion recurrence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone fixation methods are used, then the surgical procedure is simple, but the fixation reliability is insufficient leading to bunion recurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into multiple components: a plate with multiple holes, separate bone screws, and alignment pins. This segmentation allows for flexible adaptation to different bone geometries and fracture patterns while maintaining high fixation reliability through multiple attachment points.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment pins are used as intermediary elements to establish precise spatial relationships between bone fragments before final screw fixation. The pins act as temporary mediators that ensure correct alignment is maintained throughout the fixation process, preventing malunion and recurrence.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise bone alignment is achieved, then bunion recurrence is reduced, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment pins are inserted and positioned before the final bone screw fixation. This preliminary action establishes the correct spatial relationship and angular alignment of bone fragments in advance, ensuring precise alignment is achieved before permanent fixation is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex task of achieving and maintaining precise bone alignment is replaced by a standardized mechanical system of pins and plates with pre-determined geometries. The rigid plate and pin construction mechanically enforces correct alignment, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment and measurement procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fixation points are used, then bone segment stability is improved, but the time required for surgery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, establishes alignment through its geometry, offers multiple attachment points for screws and pins, and maintains the corrected position of bone fragments. This multi-functionality allows achieving high stability without proportionally increasing surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment pins are temporarily inserted to establish correct alignment, serve their purpose during the alignment and fixation process, and are then removed or retained based on healing progress. This temporary use of pins allows precise alignment to be achieved and maintained during the critical fixation phase without requiring permanent complex fixation structures.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and system for corrective bunionectomy surgery of a bone, a saw template is positioned at a proximal portion of the bone. The saw template has a plurality of pin holes, for the insertion of pins. The saw template is replaced with a saw block placed over a portion of the plurality of pins. The bone is cut into first and second bone segments based on a position of the saw block. The saw block is removed. A corrective angle is applied to the second bone segment relative to the first bone segment. A mating plate compatible with the corrective angle is positioned over the plurality of pins to join the first bone segment and the second bone segment. A plurality of bone screws is screwed into the mating plate to secure the first bone segment and the second bone segment to form a corrective construct.