Segmented Bone Plate with Reduced Diameter Webs for Phalanx Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone plates are rigid and difficult to manipulate to match the complex curvature of bones, limiting their ability to conform accurately to the anatomy of the target bone during fracture fixation.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate designed for phalanges with a pre-formed contour, featuring a head and shaft with variable angle holes and projections, connected by reduced diameter webs, allowing for selective bending in multiple planes without compromising structural integrity, and an oblong hole facilitating curvature matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional bone plates are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because they become difficult to manipulate to match bone curvature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is divided into multiple segments including a head portion, a connection portion with reduced diameter, and a shaft portion. These segments are connected by reduced diameter webs that allow relative movement and bending between segments while maintaining overall structural integrity. The segmentation enables the plate to be manipulated into curved configurations matching bone anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the bone plate have different structural properties. The connection portion has a reduced diameter compared to the head and shaft portions, creating localized flexibility zones. The reduced diameter webs connecting the segments provide controlled flexibility only where needed, while the head and shaft portions maintain full strength for load bearing and fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If conventional bone plates are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because they cannot conform to complex bone curvature in multiple planes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcurvature matching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure through the reduced diameter webs connecting the segments. These webs allow the plate to bend and adapt its shape dynamically during manipulation and implantation, enabling conformation to complex bone curvatures in multiple planes while maintaining strength when loaded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If bone plates are made flexible to match bone curvature, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates because the plate becomes too compliant to maintain fixation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional bone plates are designed with uniform thickness to maintain manufacturing simplicity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because they cannot be contoured to match complex bone geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontour matching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3160374B1Locking web plate

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

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AI summary

A bone plate for fixation to a phalanx includes a head extending from a first end to a second end and having first and second fixation element holes extending therethrough, a connection portion extending from the second end of the head to a third end along the central longitudinal axis, the connection portion including an oblong hole elongated in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and a shaft extending from the third end of the connection portion to a fourth end along the central longitudinal axis. The shaft includes third and fourth fixation element holes extending along the central longitudinal axis. The shaft includes a plurality of first projections and a plurality of second projections. The first and second projections include corresponding projection fixation element holes extending therethrough and being connected to the shaft. The first and second projections are alternatingly provided on the shaft.