Neo-Mandible Assembly With Triangular Plate and Concurrent Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mandibular reconstruction systems are complicated, involve long recovery times, and often require delayed dental reconstruction, with existing devices not being patient-specific and causing soft tissue irritation due to protruding plates and screws.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific cutting and alignment guide system using a triangular plate and fibular grafts, allowing for precise cutting and conforming of bone grafts, concurrent dental implant installation, and recessed screws to reduce irritation and improve structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional mandibular reconstruction systems are used, then the reconstruction can be performed, but the system is complicated and involves long recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently configured to engage different bone graft sections. This segmentation allows for modular assembly and simplifies the overall system while enabling complex surgical outcomes through coordinated simple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide is pre-configured with hinge mechanisms and fixation mechanisms before surgery. The hinge mechanisms are pre-set to enable transformation between straight and bent configurations, and fixation mechanisms are pre-positioned to secure bone graft sections. This preliminary preparation reduces intraoperative complexity and shortens surgical time.
2Strength
If traditional plates and screws are used, then structural support is provided, but soft tissue irritation occurs due to protruding components
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular plate is positioned within the recess formed by two rows of bone graft sections, nesting the fixation structure within the natural anatomy. This eliminates protruding components that cause soft tissue irritation while maintaining structural support through the triangular configuration and screw fixation into the bone grafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a traditional single-layer plate configuration to a three-dimensional arrangement where the triangular plate sits within a recess between two rows of bone grafts. This dimensional change allows the fixation structure to be embedded rather than protruding, reducing soft tissue irritation while maintaining strength.
3Reliability
If delayed dental reconstruction is performed, then the mandibular reconstruction can be completed, but the overall treatment time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide integrates multiple functions into a single device: it guides cutting planes for bone graft sections, provides hinge mechanisms for configuration transformation, includes fixation mechanisms for securing grafts, and enables concurrent dental implant installation. This merging of functions allows mandibular reconstruction and dental reconstruction to be performed simultaneously in one surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide assembly serves multiple purposes: it acts as a cutting guide, a positioning fixture, a configuration transformer via hinge mechanisms, and a platform for concurrent dental implant installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate staged procedures, reducing overall treatment time while ensuring reliable reconstruction.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise cutting and conforming of bone grafts is achieved, then accurate neo-mandible construction is possible, but procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide provides localized precision through patient-specific design elements: cutting surfaces positioned at predetermined locations for accurate osteotomy planes, hinge mechanisms at specific positions for correct angular relationships, and fixation mechanisms at precise locations for secure bone graft attachment. Each component has a specialized function contributing to overall precision without requiring the entire system to be complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mandibular reconstruction are provided. An example neo-mandible assembly may comprise: (1) a first bone graft section; (2) a second bone graft section; (3) a tensioning plate; (4) a first dental implant that secures the first bone graft section to the tensioning plate; and (5) a second dental implant that secures the second bone graft section to the tensioning plate. The tensioning plate may hold the first bone graft section and the second bone graft section in fixed positions relative to each other. The first dental implant may comprise: (a) a dental screw that extends through an aperture of the tensioning plate and into the first bone graft section to secure the tensioning plate to the first bone graft section; and (b) a snap abutment attached to a head of the dental screw, wherein the snap abutment is configured to receive a dental implant.