Sternal Bone Repair Plate Assembly for Wire-Free Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stabilizing the sternum after sternotomy surgeries cause patient discomfort due to wire irritation and inconsistent positioning, and excess fluid accumulation can lead to infection and hinder recovery.
Innovation Solution
A plate assembly with fixation plates and bands that are tensioned and cut using a tensioning gun to stabilize the sternum, combined with a surgical drain assembly to remove excess fluid, ensuring consistent tension application and efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wire is used to constrain the separated sternum halves, then the sternum can be stabilized, but the wire causes irritation to the sternum and surrounding areas, causing additional pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wire component from the stabilization system entirely, replacing it with a plate and band assembly. The plate is positioned against the sternum and bands wrap around the sternum to secure the plate, eliminating direct wire contact with the sternum and surrounding tissues that causes irritation and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a plate as an intermediary component between the bands and the sternum. The plate distributes the stabilizing force across a broader area of the sternum rather than concentrating it at wire contact points, reducing localized irritation and discomfort while maintaining effective stabilization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual tensioning of wire is performed, then the sternum can be constrained, but there are inherent inconsistencies from surgeon to surgeon as to the positioning of the wire, the tightness of the tensioning, and the manner of twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of wire tensioning and twisting with a mechanical tensioning device that applies controlled, uniform tension to the bands. This device ensures consistent positioning and tension application across different procedures and surgeons, eliminating the variability inherent in manual techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tensioning parameter from manual, variable surgeon-applied force to a controlled, standardized tensioning mechanism. The tensioning device applies a predetermined, consistent level of tension to each band, ensuring uniform stabilization regardless of surgeon experience or technique variations.
3Ease of manufacture
If excess fluid is not removed from the surgical site, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the excess fluid may become infectious, posing serious risk to the health of the patient and retarding or preventing recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a drainage system that automatically removes excess fluid from the surgical site without requiring additional manual intervention. The drainage device is integrated into the surgical closure system, allowing fluid to be passively or actively evacuated, reducing infection risk while maintaining procedural efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A plate assembly for stabilizing a bone is provided. The plate assembly includes a fixation plate having rails that form a window. The plate assembly includes a band having a tail and a head. The head defines an internal cavity configured to receive a portion of the tail. The fixation plate is configured to be positioned proximate to a bone. The head is configured to be at least partially received within the window. Further, the band is configured to be wrapped around the fixation plate and the bone, and the internal cavity of the head is configured to receive an end of the tail to form a loop. The band is configured to receive a tension force to tighten the loop formed by the band. The band may passively engage the fixation plate so that bands may be easily removed from windows when no tension is applied to the band.