Variable Fixation Pelvic Bone Plate With Adjustable Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plates face challenges in securing pelvic fractures due to minimal bone stock, limited anatomic access, and difficulty in achieving a stable fit, particularly in the quadrilateral surface of the pelvis, which is deep, thin, and surrounded by vital structures.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate designed for pelvic fractures with inter-operative dynamic adjustment, featuring segments contoured to fit the pelvic brim and quadrilateral surface, and slots allowing for medial/lateral or superior/inferior adjustment, including elongated slots for non-rigid fixation during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid bone plates are used to provide stable fracture fixation, then mechanical strength is improved, but stress shielding and loss of bone mass occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with variable fixation capabilities. The plate can be adjusted between locked and unlocked states, and between different fixation modes (angle stable vs. angle unstable), allowing it to adapt its mechanical properties over time to balance stability with bone physiology.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the bone plate are made variable rather than fixed. The fixation mode can be changed by adjusting the locking mechanism, allowing transition between different stiffness and mobility parameters to optimize both fracture stabilization and bone health.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate surgical steps are performed to achieve variable fixation, then adaptability is improved, but surgical time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixation functions (locked fixation, unlocked fixation, angle stable, angle unstable) are merged into a single integrated bone plate system. The plate incorporates all fixation modalities in one device, eliminating the need for multiple separate implants and surgical steps to achieve different fixation types.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate is designed as a universal system that can perform multiple fixation functions. A single plate design accommodates various fixation requirements through adjustable mechanisms, making it versatile enough to replace multiple specialized implants.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fixed-angle plates are used to ensure fracture stabilization, then mechanical stability is improved, but flexibility for anatomical adaptation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to transition between rigid fixed-angle configuration and more flexible adaptable configuration. This enables the same plate to provide both stable fixation and anatomical adaptation depending on the surgical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bone plate can be configured with different fixation properties. The plate allows selective application of locked or unlocked fixation at different screw holes, enabling local adaptation to specific anatomical requirements while maintaining overall stability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A pelvic bone plate (100) includes a brim segment (101) coupled to a quadrilateral surface (QLS) segment (102) via at least one bridge (103). The brim segment is configured to be affixed directly adjacent to the pelvic brim. The QLS is configured to be arranged directly adjacent to the QLS of the pelvis. A plurality of slots (110-112) is arranged on the brim segment and the QLS segment. Each of the plurality of slots is configured to receive a fastener to affix the bone plate to the pelvis. The plurality of slots includes at least one of a non locking slot, a locking slot, and an elongated slot (112). The at least one elongated slot is configured to facilitate adjustment of the bone plate in an adjustment direction during an implantation procedure.