Pivotable Buttress Bone Stabilization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone stabilization devices face challenges with labor-intensive installation and potential bone erosion due to poor fit and point loading, especially in cases where they are not securely fastened to the bone.
Innovation Solution
A bone stabilization device comprising a plate, an arm, and a pivotable buttress member that conforms to the bone surface, allowing for secure attachment with fewer fasteners and distributing pressure to minimize erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are used to directly secure the plate-based device to each bone or bone fragment, then stability and reliability are improved, but installation becomes labor intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastening function from the bone fragment contact interface. Instead of securing each bone fragment with fasteners, the device uses a plate that contacts and stabilizes bone regions through friction and normal force alone, extracting the invasive fastening step from the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The plate acts as an intermediary element between bone regions, providing stabilization through direct contact and normal force application. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct fastener connection between the device and bone fragments while maintaining stability
2Ease of operation
If the plate-based device contacts but is not secured to the bone, then installation is simplified, but poor fit and bone erosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic normal forces that can be adjusted during installation and maintained over time. These adjustable normal forces ensure optimal contact pressure between the plate and bone regions, preventing both poor fit and bone erosion while maintaining ease of installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controllable normal force parameters to optimize the contact between the plate and bone. By adjusting and maintaining appropriate force levels, the system achieves secure contact without over-compression, preventing bone erosion while ensuring stable fixation
3Reliability
If the device applies compression to the bone region, then stability and healing are improved, but point loading may cause bone erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the natural curvature of the bone. This curved geometry distributes compression forces across a broader area of the bone surface, preventing point loading and reducing the risk of bone erosion while maintaining stabilizing compression
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for stabilizing bone. An exemplary device may comprise a plate, an arm, and a buttress member. The plate may define one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners that secure the plate onto a first bone region. The arm may project from an edge of the plate. The buttress member may be connected pivotably to an end of the arm. The buttress member may be configured to be pivoted by contact with a second bone region to conform an orientation of the buttress member to the second bone region, and may apply compression to, and/or support, the second bone region.