Thermoplastic Bone Plate Thermal Bonding Fixation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repairing tissues and implants within the body are often complex, time-consuming, and may not provide robust fixation, leading to potential tissue damage and instability during healing.

Innovation Solution

The use of thermoplastic materials welded together using energy sources like resistive heating, radiofrequency, ultrasound, microwave, laser, or electromagnetic energy to create strong bonds between tissues and implants, allowing for precise fixation and stabilization of various tissue types and implants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional bone plates and screws are used to fix fractures, then compression and stabilization of bone fragments can be achieved, but screw loosening and loss of compression may occur due to dynamic loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidfixation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical screw-plate system with a thermal bonding system. Instead of relying on mechanical interlocking that is prone to loosening under dynamic loading, the invention uses controlled thermal energy to melt and fuse thermoplastic bone plates directly to bone fragments, creating a permanent bond that eliminates screw loosening while maintaining fixation strength and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the thermoplastic bone plate material through controlled heating. The material transitions from solid to molten state during bonding, then cools and solidifies to form a permanent fusion with the bone fragments. This parameter change (temperature control) enables strong bonding without the need for mechanical fasteners that can loosen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple instruments and devices are used for tissue repair and implant fixation, then comprehensive fixation can be achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single thermal bonding instrument. The device integrates heating elements, pressure application, and positioning capabilities into one tool that can simultaneously bond thermoplastic bone plates to multiple bone fragments. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate instruments needed while maintaining reliable fixation through thermal fusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal bonding system is designed as a universal platform that can fixate various types of bone fractures and stabilize different tissue types using the same basic principle of thermal fusion. The system can accommodate different geometries and configurations of thermoplastic implants, providing multi-functional capability that reduces procedural complexity compared to specialized mechanical fixation devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional mechanical fixation methods are used, then stable implant positioning can be achieved, but tissue damage may occur due to invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioning stabilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical drilling, screw insertion, and plate fastening procedures with non-contact or minimal-contact thermal bonding. The thermal energy can be delivered through controlled heating elements that fuse the thermoplastic implant to bone tissue without requiring extensive surgical exposure, drilling, or mechanical fastening, thereby reducing tissue trauma while achieving stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the phase transition of thermoplastic materials from solid to molten state and back to solid during controlled heating and cooling. This phase transition enables the implant material to flow and conform to the bone surface, then solidify to create a stable bond with minimal mechanical disruption to surrounding tissues compared to traditional drilling and screw insertion methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables faster, more precise, and stronger fixation of tissues and implants, reducing the need for multiple instruments and minimizing tissue damage, while providing enhanced healing and stability.