Patella Bone Plate with Mesh Cage for Fracture Fixation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating patella fractures, such as tension band fixation and plating constructs, often result in anterior knee pain, functional limitations, and inadequate addressing of inferior pole comminution.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate designed for fixation to a fractured patella, featuring a mesh cage configuration that surrounds the lateral end of the patella's circumferential rim, with multiple fixation holes for secure attachment to the patella without compromising the vascular supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tension band fixation is used for patella fractures, then fracture healing is achieved, but anterior knee pain and functional limitation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture healingVSAvoidanterior knee pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is divided into multiple sections including a base section, first outer section, second outer section, and outer portion, each with specific fixation holes positioned to address different aspects of the fracture while distributing mechanical loads to reduce pain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate extends in multiple dimensions with the outer portion extending from the base in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal directions, providing multiplanar fixation that distributes stress and reduces anterior knee pain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional plating constructs are used for patella fractures, then fracture reduction is achieved, but inferior pole comminution is not adequately addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture reductionVSAvoidinferior pole comminution fixation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate includes distinct sections (base, first outer section, second outer section, outer portion) with fixation holes positioned to specifically address the inferior pole comminution while maintaining overall fracture reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate has locally adapted features with fixation holes positioned at specific locations to address the inferior pole comminution and other fracture aspects, providing localized fixation quality matched to the specific fracture pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If aggressive fixation is applied to achieve stable fracture healing, then fracture healing is improved, but disruption to the patella's vascular supply increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture healing stabilityVSAvoidvascular supply disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate has locally adapted features with fixation holes positioned to provide stable fixation while preserving the patella's vascular supply by avoiding disruption to blood vessels in critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate acts as an intermediary that provides stable fixation while serving as a protective barrier that preserves the patella's vascular supply by avoiding direct disruption to blood vessels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250143759A1Patella bone plate and methods of fixation

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A patella fracture fixation system includes a peripheral rim bone plate that is configured to be implanted along a parapatellar lateral approach. The bone plate can configured to minimize disruption of blood supply to the patella. The bone plate can be augmented with a Krackow suture pattern to assist in stabilization of a comminuted inferior pole.