Segmented Bone Plate with Transition Zone for Complex Fractures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone plates are difficult to bend or contour for complex fractures, requiring complex three-dimensional synthesis during surgery, and often result in weak fixation due to their malleability, which can fail under axial loads before bone healing.

Innovation Solution

A bone plate with multiple domains and a transition zone, allowing for deformation to accommodate bone shape, enabling attachment via multiple surgical approaches, providing robustness and flexibility for secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bone plates are made malleable to allow bending and contouring for complex fractures, then adaptability to bone shape is improved, but strength and reliability under axial loads deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bone shapeVSAvoidstrength under axial loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is divided into multiple domains (first domain, second domain, third domain) with different structural characteristics. The first and third domains have uniform cross-sections optimized for strength, while the second domain has a varying cross-section for adaptability. This segmentation allows each domain to serve its specific function without compromising overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the bone plate are given different structural properties. The transition zones between domains feature varying thicknesses and cross-sectional areas, providing local adaptability where needed while maintaining global structural integrity. The second domain's varying cross-section allows contouring to complex bone geometries without weakening the entire plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If conventional bone plates are made robust to prevent failure under axial loads, then strength is improved, but ease of bending and contouring for complex fractures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength under axial loadsVSAvoidease of bending and contouring

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is segmented into domains with different structural characteristics. The first and third domains maintain uniform, robust cross-sections for strength, while the second domain has a varying cross-section that facilitates bending and contouring. This segmentation allows the plate to be both strong and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone plate incorporates dynamic characteristics through its varying cross-section in the second domain, allowing it to adapt its flexibility locally. The transition zones enable controlled deformation in specific areas while maintaining rigidity in other regions, combining robustness with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single surgical approach is used to attach the bone plate, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different fracture locations and surgical preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to surgical approaches

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is designed with multiple domains that can accommodate different surgical approaches (anterior, lateral, posterior). Each domain can be positioned on different surfaces of the bone, allowing the same plate design to be used for various fracture locations and surgical preferences, enhancing universality without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex three-dimensional synthesis is performed during surgery to adapt the bone plate, then adaptability to complex fractures is improved, but loss of time and surgical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex fracturesVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bone plate is pre-designed with multiple domains and transition zones that anticipate complex fracture geometries. The varying cross-section and domain structure are prepared in advance during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative bending and shaping. This preliminary design reduces surgical time while maintaining adaptability to complex fractures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11583324B2Bone plate for plate osteosynthesis and method for use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 TOBY ORTHOPAEDICS INC

AI summary

A bone plate and method for use thereof affords use of at least two surgical approaches to attach the bone plate to a fractured bone to facilitate reduction and repair thereof. The bone plate includes two domains extending in different directions from a transition zone. The directions in which each of the two domains extend are generally opposite, and the transition zone is configured to afford portions of the two domains to be substantially disposed in planes that are transverse to one another.