Neo-Mandible Triangular Plate Nesting for Soft Tissue Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mandibular reconstruction systems are complicated, involve long recovery times, and often require delayed dental reconstruction, with existing devices not being patient-specific and causing soft tissue irritation due to protruding parts.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific cutting and alignment guide system using a triangular plate and fibular grafts, allowing for precise cutting and conforming of bone grafts, concurrent dental implant installation, and a reduced number of parts to minimize irritation and recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mandibular reconstruction systems are used, then the reconstruction can be performed, but the procedure is complicated and involves long recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently configured to engage different bone graft sections. This segmentation allows for precise control of each graft segment while simplifying the overall assembly process, as each section can be attached and positioned independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide is configured with predetermined cutting planes and engagement features that are designed before surgery based on patient-specific anatomy. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex intraoperative measurements and adjustments, reducing surgical time and complexity while ensuring accurate reconstruction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing reconstruction devices are used, then the procedure can be completed, but they cause soft tissue irritation due to protruding parts
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular plate is positioned and secured within the bone graft structure itself, with the plate nested between the bone graft sections. This nesting approach eliminates protruding external components that would irritate soft tissue, while the plate maintains its structural support function internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation approach transitions from external protruding screws to internal monocortical screws that engage the bone cortex from within the graft structure. This dimensional change in fixation methodology eliminates soft tissue irritation while maintaining secure fixation functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise cutting and alignment are achieved, then reconstruction accuracy is improved, but the number of parts and procedural steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides cutting planes, provides alignment references, secures bone graft sections, and defines final positioning. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated configuration of cutting surfaces, engagement features, and fixation mechanisms in a single assembled structure, reducing the need for separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide sections and fixation mechanisms are merged into an integrated assembly that performs both cutting guidance and structural fixation. The triangular plate and bone graft sections are combined with the cutting guide structure, eliminating the need for separate alignment devices and fixation plates, thereby reducing overall part count while maintaining precision.
4Loss of time
If concurrent dental implant installation is performed, then overall treatment time is reduced, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is configured with predetermined locations and orientations for dental implant placement that are determined during preoperative planning. This preliminary configuration allows dental implants to be accurately positioned during the same surgery as the mandibular reconstruction, eliminating the need for separate implant surgery and reducing total treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide assembly serves as both the reconstruction framework and the implant placement template. The same structure that defines bone graft positioning also provides guides for implant drilling and placement, combining two surgical procedures into one unified process that reduces overall complexity despite performing multiple functions.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments of the presently disclosed technology, a neo-mandible is provided. The neo-mandible may comprise: (1) a first bone graft; (2) a second bone graft abutting the first bone graft to form a triangular recess between the first and second bone grafts; and (3) a triangular plate attached to the first and second bone grafts, wherein the triangular plate is nested within the triangular recess between the first and second bone grafts such that the triangular plate does not protrude outside the triangular recess.