Prosthesis and Bone Plate for Comminuted Fracture Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Comminuted bone fractures adjacent joints pose significant challenges due to severe fragmentation, making it difficult to reconstruct the bone using traditional methods like bone plates, especially in areas such as the proximal end of the humerus, distal end of the radius, and distal end of the ulna, where the bone fragments are irretrievably fragmented.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a prosthesis and a bone plate, where the prosthesis is designed to approximate the surface of the fractured bone, with male and female components that engage to secure the prosthesis to the bone plate, providing substantial support and facilitating the restoration of joint viability by replacing the fragmented bone portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone plates are used to repair comminuted bone fractures, then the bone fragments can be held together, but the severely fragmented bone portions cannot be adequately reconstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the replacement system into separate components: a prosthesis for replacing the severely fragmented bone portion and a bone plate for securing it to the remaining bone. This segmentation allows each component to address specific needs - the prosthesis provides the missing structural geometry while the bone plate provides secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis acts as an intermediary component between the severely fragmented bone that needs replacement and the remaining bone structure. It provides the missing articular surface and structural support, mediating the connection between the bone plate and the residual bone to restore joint functionality.
2Strength
If bone plates are used to hold bone fragments together, then fragmentation is addressed, but substantial support for irretrievably fragmented portions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extracts the severely fragmented bone portions that cannot be repaired and replaces them with a prosthesis. Rather than attempting to hold all fragments together, the system removes the irretrievably damaged portions and substitutes artificial structures to provide the necessary support and geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines different materials and structures - a prosthesis (typically metal or ceramic) for replacing severe fragmentation with high strength and durability, combined with a bone plate for securing the reconstruction. This composite approach provides both structural integrity and attachment capability.
3Reliability
If prosthesis is used to replace fragmented bone portions, then joint viability is restored, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges the prosthesis and bone plate into a single integrated replacement system that functions as one cohesive unit. The male-female engagement mechanism combines the attachment functions of both components, allowing them to work together to restore joint viability while managing system complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis serves multiple functions simultaneously: it replaces the missing bone geometry, provides the articular surface for joint movement, and serves as an attachment interface for the bone plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method facilitating replacement of comminuted bone fractures or portions thereof adjacent bone joints. The system and method employs a prosthesis to replace at least a portion of the comminuted bone fractures. The prosthesis serves in reproducing the articular surface of the portion or portions of the comminuted bone fractures that are replaced. In doing so, the prosthesis serves in restoring joint viability and corresponding articulation thereof.