Modular Locking Bone Plates With Oblique Screws for Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stabilizing the spinal column is challenging in patients with low bone density or significant spinal deformity, as it compromises screw purchase, screw pullout strength, and complicates the isolation of spinal motion segments.
Innovation Solution
The use of bone plates with oblique screw openings and diverging/converging locking screws that secure to cortical bone, avoiding bicortical placement, providing a safer and stronger anchor for spinal fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional screws are used for spinal fixation, then the procedure is simpler, but screw purchase and pullout strength are compromised in low bone density patients
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into modular components: a plate with multiple openings and separate screws. This allows selective placement of screws in optimal locations to achieve bicortical purchase, maximizing reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modularity
Solution Approach 2:
The plate design provides different types of openings (threaded and non-threaded) at different locations, allowing screws to be placed in specific bone regions with optimal density. This enables localized optimization of screw purchase by targeting areas with better bone quality, improving overall fixation reliability
2Reliability
If bicortical screw placement is used, then screw pullout strength is improved, but risk of implantation complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is pre-formed with openings positioned to facilitate bicortical screw placement. This preliminary configuration guides screw insertion along optimal trajectories that achieve secure bicortical purchase while avoiding neurovascular structures, reducing implantation complications
Solution Approach 2:
The plate acts as an intermediary device that distributes mechanical loads across multiple screw-bone interfaces. By spreading the fixation points, the system reduces the stress on individual screws, lowering the risk of screw failure and associated complications while maintaining overall construct stability
3Reliability
If multiple screws are used for secure fixation, then stabilization reliability is improved, but surgical procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates both threaded and non-threaded openings that can accommodate different screw types and configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same plate to achieve secure fixation through various screw patterns, providing reliable stabilization while simplifying the surgical decision-making process
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for partial utilization of available screw openings based on patient-specific anatomy and bone quality. Surgeons can use fewer screws in areas with poor bone density or avoid certain openings entirely, achieving adequate stabilization without the complexity of utilizing all possible fixation points
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are bone plates and systems including such plates. The present plates may be used for example, to accommodate spinolaminar junction or as a plate locking screw system for posterior spinal fixation in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine, extremities, pelvis and long bone fixation. The present devices and systems may include modular plates, rods and rails. Devices and systems herein relate to both open methods and minimally invasive surgery applications. Also provided are locking plates and systems relating to tethering applications. Further provided are kits including any of the present kits or devices, and methods including insertion of any of the present plates or systems into a patient.