TPLO Bone Plate with Dynamic Compression and K-Wire Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical implants and procedures for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs fail to achieve accurate angular correction and optimal compression across the osteotomy, leading to instability and chronic arthritis in the stifle joint.
Innovation Solution
A TPLO system comprising a bone plate with specific screw hole configurations and K-wire slots, allowing for precise reorientation and fixation of the tibial plateau, utilizing bone anchors for secure attachment and dynamic compression to stabilize the osteotomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional plates and instruments are used for TPLO procedure, then the procedure can be performed, but accurate angular correction and optimal compression across the osteotomy cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into a head portion and a shaft portion with distinct functions. The head portion contains threaded screw holes for precise angular positioning of the tibial plateau, while the shaft portion has K-wire slots for temporary stabilization. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function, achieving both accurate angular correction and reliable joint stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate design incorporates pre-configured screw hole orientations and K-wire slot positions that guide the surgeon through predetermined steps. The K-wire slots allow temporary fixation before final screw insertion, enabling precise angular positioning to be achieved and maintained throughout the procedure, ensuring both precision and reliability.
2Strength
If conventional plates are used, then the procedure can be completed, but optimal compression across the osteotomy is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic compression screw hole in the shaft portion allows the plate to self-compress the osteotomy site as screws are tightened. The oblong shape of the compression screw hole enables controlled compression force to be applied automatically during the fixation process, achieving optimal compression strength while simplifying the surgical procedure.
3Measurement precision
If the procedure requires multiple measurements and calculations, then the ideal angle can be obtained, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and less repeatable
Solution Approach 1:
The plate provides fixed angular parameters through its pre-configured screw hole orientations. Instead of requiring multiple intraoperative measurements and calculations, the surgeon selects the appropriate plate based on pre-determined angular parameters, significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining measurement precision through the plate's built-in geometric constraints.
4Manufacturing precision
If the screw holes are arranged for precise angular correction, then accurate alignment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate features asymmetric screw hole arrangements with different orientations in the head versus the shaft portions. This asymmetric design enables precise angular correction by matching the specific anatomical requirements of the TPLO procedure, while the asymmetry itself becomes the simplifying feature rather than adding complexity.
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
The system enables precise and repeatable correction of the stifle joint, reducing joint instability and promoting healing by ensuring consistent angular alignment and compression across the osteotomy, thereby alleviating chronic arthritis.
Implementation Method 1
The head portion includes three threaded screw holes for receiving bone anchors inserted preferably along a predetermined and fixed axial trajectory defined by threads in the screw holes
Implementation Method 2
The first portion of the shaft has an oblong dynamic compression screw hole. The dynamic compression screw defines a major axis extending centrally along the first portion to intersect with the threaded screw hole in the head portion
Data Source
AI summary
A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) system is provided for surgical correction of a stifle joint of an animal. The system includes a bone plate, fixed angle locking screw, compression screw, and a K-wire. The bone plate includes first surface and a second surfaces having common structure such that each can be positioned against the bone. The plate has a first shaft portion with a dynamic compression screw hole having a major length both extending along a first axis, and second shaft portion with a second axis and K-wire slot defining a major axis angled relative to the second axis but parallel to the first axis. The locking screw has double lead threads and the threaded holes in the plate have quad-lead threads.