Orthopedic Fastener Element With Threaded Plate Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for stabilizing bones, such as those involving plates and fasteners for vertebral fixation, face challenges in efficiently positioning and securing interacting elements without impinging adjacent bones or requiring larger plates, while maintaining strength and flexibility in the connection.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a fastener element with a body component and thread component, allowing for a flush or below-surface insertion and a removable connection along the lateral surface of a plate, with varying thread configurations to maximize weight-bearing capacity and flexibility, and features like end caps and self-tapping capabilities for secure anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional plates and fasteners are used for vertebral fixation, then bone stabilization is achieved, but the plates may impinge adjacent bones or require larger dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone impingementVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion for anchoring in bone, a thread portion for engagement with the plate, and an optional end cap. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the body can be sized for bone anchoring while the thread portion provides secure plate connection, avoiding the need for oversized plates that impinge adjacent bones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thread component is nested within or integrated with the body component of the fastener element. The thread portion can be fully or partially contained within the body, creating a compact fastener that achieves strong plate connection without requiring large plate dimensions, thereby preventing bone impingement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If larger plates are used to ensure strong connections, then connection strength is improved, but the risk of bone impingement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidbone impingement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element concentrates connection strength at localized points - the thread portion engages with the plate aperture to create a strong connection point, while the body portion anchors securely in the bone. This localized strength concentration allows using smaller plates that do not impinge adjacent bones, rather than requiring large plates for distributed strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener element is pre-configured with both bone-anchoring features (body portion with anchoring geometry) and plate-engagement features (thread portion) before insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the fastener is installed, strong connections are achieved immediately without requiring oversized plates, thereby preventing bone impingement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If fasteners are fully inserted into plates before positioning, then secure connection is achieved, but positioning flexibility and adjustment capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element design allows dynamic control of the insertion process. The thread portion can engage with the plate aperture in a controlled manner, allowing the surgeon to insert the fastener to the desired position and degree of engagement. The optional end cap can be used to control the extent of insertion, providing flexibility in positioning while ensuring reliable connection when fully inserted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The thread portion of the fastener can be partially inserted into the plate aperture depending on the positioning requirements. The end cap allows control over the extent of insertion - the fastener can be inserted partially for positioning flexibility or fully for maximum connection reliability, giving the surgeon adaptability based on the specific surgical situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11452554B2System and method for fastening of two or more interacting elements

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

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 fist interacting element.