Orthopedic Fastener Element for Bone Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for stabilizing bones using plates and fastener elements are inefficient in maintaining precise positioning and often require larger plates, which can impinge on adjacent bones, limiting flexibility and strength.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a fastener element with a body component and a thread component, allowing for a flush or below-surface insertion and a removable connection along the lateral surface, featuring a helical or semicircular thread design to maximize weight-bearing capacity and flexibility, enabling smaller plates for bone stabilization without compromising strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fastener elements are used with plates for bone stabilization, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the plate size increases and may impinge on adjacent bones
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener element is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for engagement with the plate, a thread component for bone anchoring, and a head portion for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling smaller plate designs while maintaining connection strength through specialized geometric features in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener element incorporates curved and rounded geometric features, including a substantially spherical head portion and curved thread profiles. These curved geometries distribute stresses more effectively and allow for compact design, reducing the overall plate size required while maintaining or enhancing connection strength through optimized stress distribution.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fastener elements are used, then the connection is stable, but the positioning precision and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the fastener element are designed with distinct geometric properties optimized for their specific functions: the body portion features specific thread profiles for bone engagement, the head portion has precise geometric features for plate engagement, and transition zones are optimized for stress distribution. This local optimization enables both high stability and precise positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener element design incorporates variable geometric parameters including varying thread pitch, changing cross-sectional dimensions along the length, and optimized radius of curvature in different zones. These parameter variations allow the single fastener element to provide both stable connection and precise positioning flexibility across different application scenarios.
3Strength
If larger plates are used for bone stabilization, then the strength is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fastening function into a specialized multi-component fastener element, the plate design can be minimized to only the essential stabilizing function, while the fastener provides the strength. This allows smaller, more flexible plates that can adapt to complex bone geometries and joint configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable geometric parameters in the fastener element design allow it to maintain high strength across different application scenarios, enabling the use of smaller, more adaptable plates. The optimized thread profiles, varying cross-sections, and curved geometries provide strength equivalence to larger conventional plates while achieving superior flexibility and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing a first interacting element to a second interacting element is provided. The first interacting element includes a lateral surface established by a first surface and a second surface and at least a portion of the lateral surface includes a thread receipt. The second interacting element includes a distal end and a proximal end that establishes a body therebetween. The body has a thread that is configured to at least partially engage with the thread receipt of the first interacting element. The second interacting element is then inserted at least partially through the surface of an object. The thread receipt of the first interacting element is then abutted adjacent to the thread of the second interacting element. Upon rotation of the second interacting element the thread of the second interacting element at least partially engaged with the thread receipt of the first interacting element.