Removable Miniplate Frame for Accurate Mandibular Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing osteosynthesis methods using single plates or multiple mini-plates face challenges such as increased complexity in placement, potential angulation errors, and difficulty in achieving morphological accuracy, especially in procedures like mandibular reconstruction, which can lead to complications and the need for extensive surgical intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plurality of connection structures connected by a removable frame structure, allowing for precise orientation and separation, facilitating easier handling and accurate placement of miniplates during surgery, and enabling easy removal of individual components if needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If multiple mini-plates are used to support reconstructed bone material, then the device is easier to remove and less invasive, but positioning accuracy and morphological accuracy deteriorate due to cumulative angulation errors
Solution Approach 1:
A removable frame structure is introduced as an intermediary component that connects multiple mini-plates together. This frame acts as a mediator that pre-establishes the correct spatial relationships and orientations between mini-plates, eliminating the need for surgeons to manually position each mini-plate individually. The frame maintains predetermined separations and angles, ensuring morphological accuracy while still allowing individual mini-plates to be removed independently if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial configuration and orientation of multiple mini-plates are pre-determined and fixed within the removable frame structure before surgery. This preliminary arrangement of mini-plates in the correct positions and angles eliminates cumulative positioning errors during surgery, as the accurate geometry is already established in the frame rather than being assembled during the procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mini-plates are used instead of a single plate, then the system is more flexible and easier to remove, but device complexity and placement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mini-plates are merged into a single integrated assembly by connecting them with the removable frame structure. This combination transforms multiple separate placement tasks into one unified positioning operation, where the entire assembly of mini-plates is positioned as a single unit using the frame as a handle, thereby reducing overall placement complexity while maintaining the flexibility and removability advantages of multiple mini-plates.
3Ease of operation
If a single plate is used for osteosynthesis, then positioning is simpler and more accurate, but the entire plate must be removed and replaced if any component fails
Solution Approach 1:
The single plate system is segmented into multiple independent mini-plates that are connected by the removable frame. This segmentation allows individual mini-plates to be independently removed and replaced without affecting the other mini-plates or requiring removal of the entire fixation system. Each mini-plate can be addressed separately for repairs or replacements, reducing the complexity of future interventions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing structural support to an anatomical structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of connection structures and a frame structure. Each of the plurality of connection structures is arranged that, in use, they are connected to at least two points on an anatomical structure. In use, each connection structure is arranged to be orientated in a predetermined orientation and to be separated from each other connection structure by a predetermined separation. The frame structure connects each of the plurality of connection structures. The frame structure is arranged to maintain the predetermined orientations of the plurality of connection structures and the predetermined separations between the plurality of connection structures.