Osteosynthesis Plate With Rotatable Locking Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteosynthesis systems lack effective mechanisms for securely anchoring and stabilizing bones at varying angles, leading to potential instability and complications during orthopedic procedures.
Innovation Solution
The osteosynthesis system incorporates a plate with angled anchor passageways and rotatable locking members that allow for hyperangulation of anchors, secured by pins interacting with circumferential grooves, enabling secure anchoring and adjustable positioning of anchors at different angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional anchors and plates are used without hyperangulation capability, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different bone angles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be rotatable within the locking member passageway, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation to engage anchors at different angles. This rotational capability provides adaptability to hyperangulated anchors while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, as the same locking member can serve multiple angular positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: anchor passageways for bone engagement, locking member passageways for securing, and pin passageways for final fixation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve overall adaptability to various bone angles.
2Ease of operation
If anchors are fixed at rigid angles only, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the ease of operation for different surgical cases is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member can rotate to different angular positions within its passageway, allowing anchors to be secured at variable angles rather than fixed angles. This dynamic adjustment capability improves ease of operation during surgery for different bone geometries while the manufacturing precision is maintained through precise machining of the passageway geometry to control the range of motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If locking members are made rotatable for angle adjustment, then the adaptability increases, but the reliability of anchor retention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is pre-configured with a circumferential groove that will engage with the anchor's protrusion. Before rotation occurs, the groove is positioned to receive the anchor protrusion, ensuring that when the locking member rotates to the locked position, the engagement is secure and reliable. The pin is also preliminarily positioned in the pin passageway to provide final securing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential groove and anchor protrusion are designed to automatically engage with each other during the rotation process. The geometry of the groove and protrusion ensures proper alignment and secure locking without requiring additional fastening elements or complex mechanisms, maintaining reliability while enabling angle adjustment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple passageways and locking mechanisms are added, then the functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it secures the anchor to the plate, allows for angle adjustment through rotation, and provides a locking mechanism via the circumferential groove engagement. The pin similarly serves multiple functions by securing the locking member in place and providing final fixation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor passageway, locking member passageway, and pin passageway are integrated into a unified plate structure with coordinated geometry. The locking member combines the functions of an anchor retainer and an angular adjustment mechanism. The pin integrates the functions of a locking element and a final securing mechanism. This merging of functions into integrated components enhances osteosynthesis functionality while controlling overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Osteosynthesis systems useful in the fusion of cervical vertebrae are described. An osteosynthesis system includes a plate, a set of anchors, a set of locking members, and a set of pins. The plate defines anchor passageways that receive the anchors, locking member passageways that receive the locking member passageways; and pin passageways that receive the pins. Each of the locking member passageways partially intersects one of the anchor passageways and each of the pin passageways provides a passageway extending from a side of the plate to one of the locking member passageways. Each of the locking members is rotatable within the respective one of the locking member passageways and is adapted to engage an adjacent anchor from the side.