Orthopaedic Plate Tissue Protector Variable Screw Trajectory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopaedic devices face challenges in minimizing tissue injury during bone fracture repair and spinal fusion surgery due to the difficulty in angulating screws and the entanglement of soft tissue with drill bits and screws, which hinders a minimally invasive approach.
Innovation Solution
An orthopaedic device featuring an orthopaedic plate with semi-cylindrically or semi-conically shaped tissue protectors that allow for variable screw trajectory and secure attachment to the plate, enabling the screws to have a different thread pitch for better tissue protection and easier insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a tissue retractor is used to hold soft tissue away from the orthopaedic plate and drill, then tissue protection is improved, but the procedure becomes more complex and less minimally invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue protector is merged with the orthopaedic plate to form an integrated device. The protector becomes an inherent component of the plate system, eliminating the need for separate retractors or protective devices. This integration reduces procedural complexity while maintaining tissue protection benefits throughout the entire screw insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue protector is pre-positioned on the orthopaedic plate before screw insertion begins. This preliminary placement ensures tissue protection is established in advance, preventing tissue entanglement with the drill bit during the entire procedure without requiring additional steps or devices during the operation
2Ease of manufacture
If screws with fixed trajectory relative to the orthopaedic plate are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to angulate screws for optimal placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed-trajectory screw holes to adjustable-trajectory screw guides. The screw guide can be positioned at different angles relative to the orthopaedic plate, allowing dynamic adjustment of the screw insertion trajectory. This enables optimal angulation for each specific anatomical situation while maintaining standardized manufacturing of the base plate components
Solution Approach 2:
The screw insertion system is segmented into separate functional components: the orthopaedic plate body, the tissue protector, and the adjustable screw guide. This segmentation allows the screw guide to be independently positioned and angled relative to the plate, providing trajectory flexibility without requiring custom manufacturing of the entire plate for each application
3Strength
If conventional orthopaedic plates with flat or curved profiles are used, then the plate can be attached to bone surfaces, but surrounding soft tissue gets caught and winds around the drill or screws
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue protector serves as an intermediary barrier between the drill bit/screws and the surrounding soft tissue. This protective element intercepts and prevents tissue from contacting the rotating drill bit or advancing screws, eliminating the entanglement problem while allowing the plate to maintain its attachment function to the bone surface
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue protector is designed as a thin, flexible barrier that can conform to the surgical site while effectively blocking tissue from the drill path. This thin film approach provides protection without adding significant bulk or interfering with the plate's ability to attach to the bone, maintaining both protection and attachment strength
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An orthopaedic device for repairing a portion of a body, the orthopaedic device includes an orthopaedic plate, a tissue protector, and a rotating member. The orthopaedic plate is configured to attach to at least one bone. The tissue protector is attached to the orthopaedic plate and configured to at least partially detach from the orthopaedic plate after a force is applied to the tissue protector. The rotating member is configured to connect the tissue protector to the orthopaedic plate while allowing the tissue protector to rotate relative to the orthopaedic plate.