Sternoclavicular Internal Fixation Plate with Movable Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal fixation plates for the sternoclavicular joint fail to effectively stabilize the sternum and clavicle, leading to postoperative dislocation, pain, and increased risk of sternum fractures due to bone hole enlargement and hooking end displacement, particularly in patients with osteoporosis.
Innovation Solution
An internal fixation plate with a movably connected sternum locating rod and clavicle fixation segment, allowing for rotation and swinging movements to prevent bone hole enlargement, featuring a spherical connecting structure and threaded connections for secure fixation and adjustment, which reduces agitation and friction during patient recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed hooking structure is used to stabilize the sternum and clavicle, then the initial fixation effect is improved, but the bone holes in the sternum enlarge over time and the hooking end displaces, leading to fixation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed hooking structure into a movable connection system. The connector includes a movable head with a guiding surface that can slide along a pilot concave in the locating rod junction, allowing the sternum locating rod to rotate and swing relative to the locating rod junction. This dynamic capability enables the fixation device to adapt to normal physiological movements of the sternoclavicular joint while maintaining stable fixation, preventing bone hole enlargement and hooking end displacement that occur with rigid fixed structures.
2Reliability
If the sternum locating rod is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then fixation stability is improved, but friction and agitation increase during joint movement, causing bone hole enlargement and potential sternum fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates harmful friction and agitation by replacing the rigid fixed connection with a dynamic movable connection. The connector's movable head with guiding surface sliding along the pilot concave allows the sternum locating rod to rotate and swing freely during normal joint movement. This dynamic design reduces friction and agitation to minimal levels, preventing bone hole enlargement and sternum fractures while maintaining reliable fixation stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable connection is allowed between the sternum locating rod and locating rod junction, then friction and agitation are reduced during joint movement, but the fixation stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent successfully resolves this contradiction by designing a controlled movable connection system. The connector includes a movable head with a guiding surface that slides along a pilot concave in the locating rod junction, enabling the sternum locating rod to rotate and swing within defined limits. This dynamic connection reduces friction and agitation during normal joint movement while the guiding surface and pilot concave geometry maintain fixation stability, preventing excessive displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the connection parameters between the sternum locating rod and locating rod junction. The movable head with guiding surface and pilot concave creates a connection with specific degrees of freedom, allowing controlled rotation and swinging movements. This parameter change transforms the connection from rigid to dynamically controlled, reducing harmful friction while maintaining necessary fixation stability through geometric constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal fixation plate for sternoclavicular join comprises a locating rod junction and the clavicle fixation segment, both with flat cross sections. The locating rod junction and the clavicle fixation segment are not in the same plane, and the transition segment connects in between the locating rod junction and the clavicle fixation segment. The clavicle fixation segment is of a long strip, and screw holes are designed in the clavicle fixation segment. The locating rod junction is movably connected to the cylindrical sternum locating rod, through the connector, and allows the sternum locating rod to rotate and swing relative to the locating rod junction. The internal fixation plate connects the clavicle fixation segment to the sternum locating rod through a movable connection, so as to prevent the sternum locating rod from scratching and enlarging the bone holes in sternum.