Orthognathic Implant Alignment Plates for Bone Segment Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In orthognathic surgery, the proper location of fixation bone plates remains problematic due to their small contact surface area, which complicates the precise positioning and orientation of bone segments post-osteotomy.

Innovation Solution

A patient-specific implant assembly with removable pre-osteotomy and post-osteotomy alignment plate members connected to fixation bone plates via bridging members, allowing for increased contact surface area and precise positioning, and optionally including a cutting guide for osteotomy marking or guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If fixation bone plates with small contact surface area are used, then the footprint of fixation plates is reduced, but the positioning precision and stability of bone segments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefootprint of fixation platesVSAvoidpositioning precision of bone segments

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment system is segmented into multiple components: pre-osteotomy alignment plates, post-osteotomy alignment plates, and fixation bone plates. Each component serves a specific function at a specific stage, allowing the temporary alignment plates to provide large contact area for positioning while the final fixation plates maintain minimal footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Temporary alignment plates serve as intermediary devices that facilitate precise positioning during surgery. These plates provide the necessary contact surface area for accurate alignment, then are removed after serving their purpose, leaving only the minimal-footprint fixation plates in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If stock bone fixation plates are used that require manipulation, then adaptability to bone surface topography improves, but manufacturing precision and fit accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bone surface topographyVSAvoidfit accuracy to bone surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Patient-specific alignment plates and fixation plates are manufactured in advance using computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques. The plates are pre-configured to precisely match the patient's unique bone surface topography, eliminating the need for intraoperative manipulation and ensuring optimal fit accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment plates and fixation plates are custom-made copies that replicate the patient's specific bone surface geometry. Through scanning and virtual modeling, exact digital replicas of the bone surfaces are created, and plates are manufactured to match these digital models, ensuring perfect adaptation without manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If a single integrated fixation plate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide both pre-osteotomy and post-osteotomy alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of implant componentsVSAvoidalignment capability at different surgical stages

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is divided into distinct components: pre-osteotomy alignment plates, post-osteotomy alignment plates, and fixation bone plates. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, providing comprehensive alignment capabilities at different surgical stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment system transitions dynamically through different configurations during surgery. Pre-osteotomy alignment plates are used initially for positioning, then removed after osteotomy, followed by post-osteotomy alignment plates for repositioning. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing surgical requirements without requiring a single complex integrated plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11896273B2Orthognathic surgical implant assembly having pre-osteotomy and post-osteotomy alignment members

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 KLS MARTIN LP

AI summary

An implant assembly and its method of use, used in computer-aided orthognathic surgery for properly repositioning a mobile bone segment separated by osteotomy from a malformed mandible, maxilla or chin, the implant assembly comprising fixation bone plates, at least one removable alignment plate for proper pre-osteotomy placement of the implant assembly onto the mandible, maxilla or chin, at least one removable post-osteotomy alignment plate for proper positioning of the mobile bone segment relative to the mandible, maxilla or chin, and a removable cutting guide for guiding the osteotomy saw during separation of the mobile bone segment from the mandible, maxilla or chin.