Neutralization Plate X-Shape Suture Routing for Fracture Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fixing periarticular fractures around the knee and elbow, such as FIG. 8 tension band wiring, face issues with hardware irritation, discomfort due to wire slack, and potential failure under early joint motion, as standard large pins protrude and cause soft tissue irritation, necessitating removal.
Innovation Solution
A neutralization plate with an X-shape design featuring upper and lower arms, a horizontal channel, and chutes to guide sutures for enhanced compression and tension neutralization, allowing secure fixation without protruding hardware, using a suture looped through a fractured bone and anchored separately, with sloped chutes to align compression forces during joint flexion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If standard large pins are used in tension band wiring, then compression force across the fracture site is achieved, but soft tissue irritation and hardware protrusion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protruding pin ends that cause soft tissue irritation while maintaining the compression function through an alternative mechanism. The suture loop system passes through the bone fracture without requiring protruding hardware, extracting the harmful protrusion element while preserving the beneficial compression effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a suture loop as an intermediary element that transfers the compression force without requiring large protruding pins. The suture material acts as a mediator between the bone fragments, providing compression through a flexible, tissue-compatible medium rather than rigid metal pins.
2Reliability
If tension band wiring is used to hold bone fragments in apposition, then fracture fixation is achieved, but wire slack causes discomfort and potential failure under early joint motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic suture loop system that can accommodate joint motion without creating slack or discomfort. The suture material and routing allow for physiological movement while maintaining constant compression force, enabling early joint motion without compromising fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the fixation system by using a flexible suture loop instead of a rigid wire construct. This allows the fixation system to adapt to changing joint positions and motion ranges, maintaining effective compression while improving comfort and enabling early rehabilitation.
3Force
If pins protrude from the bone end to create tension band wiring, then compression across the fracture is produced, but hardware removal is required due to irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protruding pin ends that necessitate removal, creating a fixation system where all components remain embedded or concealed. The suture loop passes through the bone internally and is anchored without external protrusions, eliminating the need for secondary removal surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses absorbable suture material that can be safely left in the body without removal. This disposable-like approach allows the fixation device to remain indefinitely without causing irritation, eliminating the need for hardware removal while maintaining compression force throughout the healing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The neutralization plate provides stable fracture fixation by converting tensile forces into compressive forces, reducing hardware irritation and discomfort, and allowing early joint motion without hardware failure, offering a more secure and comfortable fixation compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The neutralization plate provides stable fracture fixation by converting tensile forces into compressive forces
Implementation Method 2
The upper chute and the lower chute are sloped and aligned to increase a transfer of compression forces across a fracture via the suture during joint flexion
Data Source
AI summary
A neutralization plate includes a main body, a pair of upper arms extending upwards from the main body, and a pair of lower arms extending downward from the main body to form a generally X-shape with the pair of upper arms. In addition, the neutralization plate includes a horizontal channel formed across a rear side of a midsection of the main body, an aperture formed in the main body between the pair of lower arms and contiguous to a bottom edge of the horizontal channel, and a lower chute formed between the aperture and a lower edge of the horizontal channel. The lower chute is configured for ends of a suture looped through a fractured bone to be passed through the aperture and down the lower chute to a front side of the main body to be anchored separately from the fractured bone.