Tibial Osteotomy Fixation Plate Below Tuberosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tibial osteotomy fixation methods above the tibial tuberosity face challenges such as cancellous bone collapse, tibial plateau fracture, neurovascular bundle injury, and increased knee stiffness, which are not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A fixation plate designed for tibial osteotomy below the tuberosity with a unique configuration of holes and angles, allowing for secure fixation and realignment of the tibia while minimizing these issues, featuring a top-end portion with pinholes, screw holes, and Combi holes, and a bottom-end portion with conical screw holes and pinholes, capable of fitting the three-dimensional contour of the tibia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fixation plates are used above the tibial tuberosity, then osteotomy fixation can be achieved, but cancellous bone collapse and tibial plateau fracture occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveosteotomy fixation reliabilityVSAvoidcancellous bone collapse and tibial plateau fracture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation plate is divided into three distinct portions: a top-end portion for proximal fixation, a bottom-end portion for distal fixation, and a connection portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific location and function, with the top-end portion having larger holes for proximal bone purchase and the bottom-end portion having smaller holes for distal fixation, thereby achieving reliable fixation without causing cancellous bone collapse or tibial plateau fracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the fixation plate have different hole configurations tailored to local requirements. The top-end portion includes larger holes for proximal fixation where bone purchase is needed, while the bottom-end portion includes smaller holes for distal fixation. The connection portion has no holes to maintain structural integrity. This local differentiation enables reliable fixation while minimizing harmful effects at each specific location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional fixation plates are used above the tibial tuberosity, then osteotomy fixation can be achieved, but neurovascular bundle injury occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveosteotomy fixation reliabilityVSAvoidneurovascular bundle injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation plate design extracts or removes the connection portion from the proximal tibia, placing the distal fixation portion below the tibial tuberosity. This extraction of the fixation site from the neurovascular risk zone eliminates the threat of neurovascular bundle injury while maintaining fixation reliability through the optimized hole configurations in the safe zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the top-end portion and bottom-end portion without requiring holes, thereby avoiding direct interference with neurovascular structures. It transfers the fixation function away from the neurovascular risk zone while maintaining the structural integrity needed for reliable osteotomy fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional fixation plates are used above the tibial tuberosity, then osteotomy fixation can be achieved, but knee stiffness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveosteotomy fixation reliabilityVSAvoidknee stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation plate incorporates dynamic hole configurations where the top-end portion has larger holes allowing for greater bone purchase and flexibility, while the bottom-end portion has smaller holes for precise distal fixation. This dynamic adaptation of hole sizes to local requirements enables reliable fixation while maintaining knee flexibility and reducing stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the fixation plate have different mechanical properties through their hole configurations. The top-end portion with larger holes provides flexibility and blood supply maintenance, while the bottom-end portion with smaller holes provides stable distal fixation. This local quality differentiation achieves reliable fixation without causing excessive knee stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11395686B2Bone fixation plate and method of using thereof

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 SAW KHAY YONG

AI summary

The disclosure provides a fixation device for internal fixation of an osteotomy below the tibial tuberosity. The fixation plate including a top-end portion including three pinholes, three screw holes, and a first Combi hole; a bottom-end portion including a second Combi hole, two screw holes, and one pinhole; and a connection portion connecting the top-end portion to the bottom-end portion. The top-end portion is capable of fixating the portion of the tibia above a cut of the osteotomy, and the bottom-end portion is capable of fixating the portion of the tibia below the cut.