Opposite Cortex Bone Plate Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone plating systems in foot and ankle surgery face challenges when placing screws on the tension side of the bone due to the concentration of neurovascular structures, requiring undesirable dissection and exposure of arteries and nerves.
Innovation Solution
A locking plate system that allows screws to be inserted from the opposite side of the bone, using a guide pin and template to form holes and engage with the plate, reducing the need for extensive dissection and exposure of neural and vascular tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are inserted from the tension side of the bone to engage the plate, then screw-plate fixation is achieved, but extensive dissection and exposure of neurovascular structures is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional screw insertion approach by inserting screws from the opposite side of the bone (non-tension side) to engage the plate on the tension side. This reversal eliminates the need to dissect and expose neurovascular structures on the tension side, as screws pass through the bone cortex from a safer approach side while still achieving secure plate fixation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the plate is placed on the plantar surface (tension side) for optimal mechanical function, then stability and healing are improved, but screw placement becomes difficult due to neurovascular concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables optimal plate placement on the plantar tension side by inverting the screw insertion approach. Instead of inserting screws from the plantar side (which would require neurovascular dissection), screws are inserted from the dorsal or lateral approach, allowing the plate to remain in its mechanically optimal position while simplifying the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone itself acts as an intermediary medium, allowing screws to traverse through it from the safe approach side to engage the plate on the tension side. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct exposure of the neurovascular structures on the tension side while maintaining effective fixation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If screws are inserted from the opposite side of the bone, then tissue disruption is reduced, but precise alignment and engagement with the plate must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary actions including pre-drilling guide holes through the bone from the opposite side, using template guides to pre-establish the correct trajectory and positioning. These preliminary steps ensure that when screws are inserted, they automatically align with the plate's screw holes without requiring complex intraoperative adjustment, thus reducing tissue disruption while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins and template guides serve as intermediary tools that bridge the gap between the screw insertion point on the opposite side and the plate on the tension side. These intermediaries provide mechanical guidance to ensure precise alignment and engagement, eliminating the need for complex direct visualization and manual alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting a bone includes a plate configured for positioning on a tension side of the bone. Two or more fasteners are configured to extend from an opposite side of the bone to the plate, and engage the plate after extending through the bone. The plate has an attachment mechanism operable to engage with the fasteners. In other aspects, a method of performing a surgical procedure includes positioning a plate on a tension side of a bone, and forming a hole from an opposite side of the bone to the plate. A fastener is inserted through the hole to the plate, and the plate is adjusted into position on the bone surface on the tension side of the bone. One or more additional holes are formed from the opposite side of the bone to the plate, and one or more additional fasteners are inserted.