Deformable Patella Bone Plate with Segmented Fixation Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating patella fractures, such as tension band fixation and patellectomy, often result in anterior knee pain, functional limitations, and poor clinical outcomes due to issues like inferior pole comminution and articular surface disruption.

Innovation Solution

A patella bone plate with a fixation body that includes a hub and nodes, along with deformable legs that wrap around the inferior rim of the patella, providing stable fixation and promoting healing in comminuted fractures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If tension band fixation is used for patella fractures, then the fixation method is simple and commonly available, but anterior knee pain and functional limitations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of fixation methodVSAvoidfunctional outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is divided into multiple fixation nodes (first, second, and third nodes) spaced along the patellar surface, allowing independent fixation points that distribute stress and improve functional outcomes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from the traditional two-dimensional tension band (anterior only) to a three-dimensional construct by adding fixation nodes at different positions and depths on the patellar surface, including superior, inferior, and lateral aspects, thereby improving functional outcomes without significantly increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional plating constructs are used, then fracture reduction is achieved, but anterior knee pain and poor clinical outcomes persist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture reduction accuracyVSAvoidclinical outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each fixation node is designed with specific local characteristics - the first node for superior fixation, the second node for inferior fixation, and the third node for lateral fixation - allowing optimized local fixation quality at each position to address specific fracture patterns and improve overall clinical outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial parameters of fixation by distributing multiple fixation nodes across different locations on the patella rather than using a single centralized plate, thereby improving clinical outcomes while maintaining adequate fracture reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If inferior pole comminution is present, then fracture complexity increases, but standard fixation methods fail to address this adequately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture pattern complexityVSAvoidfixation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into multiple independent fixation nodes that can individually address comminuted fragments at the inferior pole, allowing each node to secure specific bone fragments and thereby maintaining fixation reliability despite increased fracture complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate is designed to be deformable, allowing it to adapt its shape to accommodate comminuted fracture patterns at the inferior pole while maintaining secure fixation, thereby preserving reliability even when fracture complexity increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the bone plate is made rigid for stable fixation, then fixation stability improves, but adaptability to patellar curvature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to patellar curvature

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate incorporates deformable material properties that allow it to be shaped intraoperatively to match the patient's specific patellar curvature, while the fixed fixation nodes provide stable fixation once positioned, thereby achieving both adaptability and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate is constructed as a thin, deformable structure that can be bent and shaped to conform to the patellar surface, allowing adaptation to individual anatomical variations while maintaining sufficient rigidity at the fixation nodes to provide stable fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3849445B1Patella bone plate

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A patella fracture fixation system includes a bone plate that is configured to be implanted along an anterior approach. The bone plate has a fixation hub and a plurality of fixation nodes that are connected to the fixation hub. The fixation hub and the fixation nodes can define respective fixation holes. The bone plate can further include legs that are configured to be bent around respective inferior aspects of the patella.