Maxillomandibular Fixation Device with Movable Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) devices face challenges in securely attaching mechanical fasteners to the jaw without impinging on tooth roots, as existing solutions either result in aperture misalignment or loosening of fastening elements over time, compromising rigidity and strength.
Innovation Solution
The MMF device features elongated arch bars with wire retention projections and movable mounting plate members, allowing lateral adjustment of screw-receiving apertures along the arch bar to avoid tooth roots, using slotted, curved coupling portions that fit into gaps, ensuring secure fixation and avoiding tooth root interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mounting plate members are made movable along the arch bar to avoid tooth roots, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate member is designed with a movable coupling portion that can slide along the arch bar between a retracted position (where the aperture is positioned over a tab member) and an extended position (where the aperture moves laterally to avoid tooth roots). This dynamic adjustment capability provides adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple structural design through the use of a slot and leg segment mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mounting plate members are made movable to adjust aperture location, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential loosening of fastening elements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion is pre-configured with a slot and leg segments that engage with tab members on the arch bar. This preliminary design ensures that when the mounting plate member is moved to its extended position, the fastening elements are already positioned to engage securely with the tab members, preventing loosening over time while maintaining the ability to adjust aperture location.
3Device complexity
If fixed screw-receiving apertures are used on the arch bar, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to avoid tooth roots
Solution Approach 1:
The arch bar system is segmented into distinct components: the arch bar with tab members, the movable mounting plate members with coupling portions, and the screw-receiving apertures. This segmentation allows the mounting plate members to be independently adjusted along the arch bar to position apertures optimally, avoiding tooth roots while maintaining the structural integrity and simplicity of the overall arch bar design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) device having an arch bar with a plurality of spaced tabs and gaps, and further having apertured mounting plate members mounted onto the arch bar, each mounting plate member having a slot to receive a tab on the arch bar, whereby the mounting plate members may be repositioned laterally along the arch bar from one tab to another prior to affixing the MMF device to the maxilla or mandible of a patient in order to position the mounting plate members at locations where the underlying tooth root will not be damaged by insertion of a bone screw.