Transcortical Bone Fusion Plate for Ankle Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for ankle fusion often result in suboptimal fixation and undesirable directional forces on the bone, leading to variable and sometimes stiffened limbs, as they do not effectively compress the fracture site and can adversely affect surrounding joints.
Innovation Solution
A transcortical bone fusion system involving a longitudinally oriented plate inserted through small cuts in the tibia and talus, with a cutting jig to guide the bone cuts and screws or nails to secure the plate, maximizing strength and minimizing soft tissue and bone damage, while allowing for compression and stabilization during healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate is placed tangentially on the outside of the tibia and talus with multiple screws, then the ankle joint can be fixated, but the plate does not optimally secure the fracture and creates undesirable directional forces on the bone
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the plate tangentially on the outer surface of the bones, the invention inverts the approach by inserting the plate through a longitudinal slot cut into the anterior portion of the tibia and talus, positioning it internally within the bone structure. This inversion allows the plate to directly secure the fracture site while distributing forces more favorably through the bone interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate is nested within the longitudinal slot of the bone, with the slot acting as a guiding and containing structure. This nesting approach allows the plate to be positioned precisely at the fracture site while being protected and stabilized by the bony slot, improving both fixation reliability and fracture security.
2Reliability
If multiple metal screws and nails are driven into both bones to secure the fusion, then the bones can be fixedated, but this creates variable results and may fuse the subtalar joints as well, requiring multiple incisions and creating a very stiff limb
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the longitudinal slot is confined to the anterior portion of the tibia and talus, and the plate with its apertures is positioned specifically at the ankle joint level. This segmentation ensures that fixation is achieved locally at the ankle without extending to fuse the subtalar joints, maintaining mobility in adjacent joints while securing the ankle fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate and slot configuration provides localized fixation quality specifically at the ankle joint, with the longitudinal slot and plate apertures positioned to target only the tibia-talus interface. This local quality approach ensures reliable ankle fixation while preserving the natural motion and flexibility of surrounding joints like the subtalar joint.
3Strength
If a longitudinally oriented plate is inserted through small cuts in the tibia and talus, then the plate strength is maximized and soft tissue damage is minimized, but the insertion process requires precise bone cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal slot is created as a preliminary action before plate insertion. By pre-cutting the slot into the anterior portion of the tibia and talus with the desired orientation and dimensions, the subsequent plate insertion becomes a straightforward process. This preliminary slot creation ensures the plate will be properly oriented for maximum strength while minimizing the need for precise alignment during the actual plate insertion step.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for fusing two bones within a mammal. More particularly described is such a system and method for a transcortical fusion system wherein which a plate is affixed in a longitudinal slot or aperture cut into the anterior portion of the tibia and the talus, thereby achieving a fusion of the joint while placing the fusion site in the joint in compression.