Small-Bone Fixation Plate With Buttress-Guided Osteotomy Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current plate and screw fixation methods for osteotomies, particularly in metatarsal or metacarpal bones, are difficult to apply and often obscure the surgeon's vision, leading to complications in positioning and stability during bone repositioning procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device with an elongate plate and offset buttress portion that allows pre-osteotomy attachment, providing a guide for cutting and ensuring stable fixation by preventing unwanted rotation of the bone head, using a screw guide and temporary fixation pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate and screw fixation method is applied after osteotomy, then the bone head can be fixedated, but the surgeon's vision of the osteotomy and bone head position is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is attached to the bone length before the osteotomy is performed. This preliminary attachment allows the surgeon to maintain clear visualization of the osteotomy site and bone head position during the cutting and repositioning process, while still providing stable fixation once the procedure is complete
2Reliability
If a plate is applied after osteotomy to fixate the bone head, then fixation is achieved, but the bone head cannot be easily manipulated into position
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is attached to the bone length before osteotomy, creating a stable reference framework that allows the bone head to be freely manipulated and positioned during the procedure. The pre-attached plate serves as a guide for proper positioning while not interfering with the manipulation process
3Reliability
If conventional plate fixation is used for metatarsal osteotomy, then bone fixation is possible, but the metatarsal head swivels and positioning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plate features an asymmetric design with a transverse buttress portion that projects beyond one side edge of the plate. This asymmetric structure provides a mechanical stop that prevents swiveling of the bone head while allowing easy manipulation into the correct position before fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The plate is divided into distinct functional segments: a longitudinal plate portion for attachment to the bone length and a transverse buttress portion for supporting the bone head. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, preventing swiveling while maintaining positioning ease
Data Source
AI summary
A small bone internal fixation system for orthopedic surgery is disclosed. This includes a fixation plate which is fixated to the bone before making the osteotomy cut of the head from the bone and can act as a cut guide for the cutting action. A buttress portion on a side of the fixation plate provides a front buttress surface which acts as the cutting guide and locates the translational movement of the cut head so as to prevent the metatarsal or metacarpal bone head from swiveling as it translates and allows for an easy method of temporarily and then permanently fixating the metatarsal or metacarpal head using firstly a wire guide and then a screw guided by the wire which fastens the bone head to the buttress portion.