Sternal Plates with Hooks for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing sternal halves after sternotomy, such as wire cerclages and rigid bone plates, are inadequate in limiting relative movement and can be unstable, with wire cerclages potentially penetrating the sternum and flat plates being difficult to approximate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sternal plating system featuring opposing plates with hooks that engage the sternal halves, secured to a reduction tool to apply equal and opposite forces for approximation and fixation, providing greater stability and reducing movement in all directions compared to standard plates or wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire cerclages are used to close the sternum, then the sternum can be secured, but the wire may penetrate the sternal bone and provide inadequate limitation of relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
A reduction tool with opposing reduction features is introduced as an intermediary device between the sternal halves. This tool applies controlled approximation forces through the reduction features to bring the sternal halves together without direct wire-bone contact, eliminating the penetration risk while maintaining secure closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional wire cerclage mechanical system with a reduction tool-based approximation system. The reduction tool uses mechanical features (reduction features) to apply controlled forces for sternal approximation, substituting the wire's direct binding mechanism with a more controlled mechanical approximation process that eliminates bone penetration.
2Reliability
If flat rigid bone plates are used to bridge and secure the sternal halves, then relative movement is limited, but the plates are difficult to approximate effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction tool serves as an intermediary device that facilitates the approximation of flat rigid bone plates to the sternal halves. The reduction features on the tool work in conjunction with the plates to apply controlled approximation forces, making the otherwise difficult approximation process feasible and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduction tool introduces dynamic control to the approximation process. The tool can be actuated to apply progressive approximation forces, allowing the rigid plates to be systematically brought into contact with the sternal halves in a controlled manner, transforming a static difficult-to-approximate problem into a dynamic controllable process.
3Device complexity
If standard plates are used for sternal fixation, then the structure is simple, but the approximation and fixation is insufficient compared to hooks engaging the sternal halves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reduction tool with the sternal plates through integration features. The reduction features on the tool combine with the plate structure to create a unified approximation and fixation system, where the plates and reduction tool work together synergistically to engage the sternal halves more effectively than standard plates alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional components: the reduction tool with reduction features for approximation, and the sternal plates with engagement features for fixation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve superior overall fixation compared to standard single-function plates.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A plate system for securing a first sternal portion and a second sternal portion of a separated sternum can include a first plate and a second plate. The first plate can include a first body and a first hook. The first body can include a first reduction bore. The first hook can extend from the first body. The first hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the first sternal portion. The second plate can include a second body and a second hook. The second body can include a second reduction bore. The second hook can extend from the second body. The second hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the second sternal portion opposite the first hook.