Pediatric Bone Plate Segmentation for Growth Plate Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons face challenges in adapting adult implants for pediatric patients due to the variability in shape and size of growing skeletons, particularly the risk of interfering with the active epiphyseal growth plates, which can lead to growth arrest or deformity if adult plates are used without proper modification.
Innovation Solution
Design of elongated plates with a planar portion for the diaphysis and a curved portion for the metaphysis, featuring holes with central longitudinal axes that are parallel and perpendicular to the plate's surface, allowing screws to be inserted without intersecting the epiphyseal plate, ensuring the plate's rigidity and stability while accommodating growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a straight adult plate is contoured to fit the distal femoral metaphysis, then the plate conforms to the bone shape, but the distal screw holes are redirected causing screws to violate the growth plate
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into distinct functional zones: a contoured metaphyseal portion for bone adaptation and a separate diaphyseal portion for screw fixation. This segmentation allows the metaphyseal area to conform to bone shape while keeping the screw holes in the diaphyseal area oriented away from the growth plate, preventing violation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the plate have different geometric properties. The metaphyseal portion is contoured to match bone shape, while the diaphyseal portion maintains a configuration that positions screw holes parallel to the growth plate. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of bone conformity and growth plate protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shorter screws are used to avoid the growth plate, then growth plate violation is prevented, but the rigidity and stability of the fixation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design separates the metaphyseal region (where growth plate protection is critical) from the diaphyseal region (where mechanical strength is prioritized). This allows longer screws to be used in the diaphyseal portion for stable fixation while using shorter screws or alternative fixation methods in the metaphyseal portion to avoid the growth plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate extends in the longitudinal dimension to provide sufficient screw purchase in the diaphysis, compensating for the reduced screw length available in the metaphysis. This dimensional extension maintains fixation strength despite shorter metaphyseal screws.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adult plates are modified to accommodate pediatric bone size and shape, then adaptability improves, but the mechanical properties of the implant are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plate incorporates localized contoured sections in the metaphyseal region to adapt to pediatric bone geometry, while the diaphyseal region maintains the structural integrity and mechanical properties of standard adult plates. This local adaptation preserves overall strength while providing pediatric compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is segmented into a modified metaphyseal portion for pediatric adaptation and a standard diaphyseal portion for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows the plate to provide both pediatric adaptability and adult-grade mechanical properties in the critical load-bearing regions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Among other things, there is disclosed an orthopedic plate system for use in supporting or stabilizing long bones in pediatric patients. The plate includes a substantially planar portion for placement along a diaphysis of a long bone and a portion curved out of the plane of the planar portion for placement along at least part of a metaphysis of the long bone. Holes through the plate are provided for screws in both the curved and planar portions, which hold the plate to the long bone. The holes are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the planar portion. Screws through the holes and into the bone are substantially parallel to an epiphyseal plate of the long bone, so that attachment of the plate to the bone does not adversely affect growth of the long bone.