Reverse-Bolted Trochanter Claw Plate for Medial Fracture Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical devices and techniques for managing fractures around the greater trochanter during total hip arthroplasty, particularly in minimally invasive direct anterior approaches, lack effective methods for fixation and stabilization, complicating recovery and increasing the risk of complications.

Innovation Solution

A reverse bolted greater trochanter periprosthetic plate configured to be mounted to the femur, with a central portion and claw-like leg portions for grasping the femur, and a bolt receptor for securing the plate to the femoral prosthesis, allowing fixation and stabilization of fractures from a medial perspective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wiring techniques, small plates with cables, or larger lateral plates are used for greater trochanter fractures, then fracture fixation is achieved, but direct lateral or posterolateral incisions are required which increase surgical invasiveness and complicate recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture fixation stabilityVSAvoidsurgical approach invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is designed to be accessed and fixed from the medial side of the femur rather than the traditional lateral approach. The bolt receptor portion extends from the central portion to receive a bolt from the medial perspective, allowing the plate to be secured to the femoral prosthesis without requiring direct lateral or posterolateral incisions, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness while maintaining fixation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate design with its central portion, multiple leg portions forming a claw configuration, and bolt receptor portion allows it to function as both a fracture fixation device and a stabilizing structure compatible with various femoral prosthesis designs, making it applicable to different surgical scenarios and patient anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If direct lateral or posterolateral incisions are made for fracture management, then fracture visualization and fixation are improved, but patient recovery is slowed and additional surgical interventions may be required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture visualizationVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the surgical approach to access the greater trochanter from the medial side rather than making direct lateral or posterolateral incisions, the plate can be fixed with minimal soft tissue disruption. This maintains adequate fracture visualization and fixation capability while significantly reducing surgical trauma and accelerating patient recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate is divided into a central portion and multiple leg portions that can be positioned to grasp different aspects of the greater trochanter fracture. This segmented claw configuration allows stable fixation while accommodating the fracture geometry without requiring extensive surgical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If muscle-sparing direct anterior approach is used for total hip replacement, then recovery is faster and outcomes are improved, but effective fixation methods for greater trochanter fractures are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical recovery speedVSAvoidfracture fixation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The medial access design of the plate allows it to be effectively utilized in conjunction with the direct anterior approach, which spares the abductor muscles. The plate can be fixed from the medial side without requiring conversion to lateral or posterolateral approaches, thereby maintaining the benefits of muscle-sparing surgery while providing effective fracture fixation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate's design with its central portion, multiple configurable leg portions, and bolt receptor makes it adaptable to various surgical approaches and fracture patterns. It can be effectively used with the direct anterior approach for muscle-sparing benefits while also providing the versatility needed for complex greater trochanter fracture fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260069420A1Reverse Bolted Greater Trochanter Periprosthetic Claw Plate

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP

AI summary

A reverse bolted greater trochanter periprosthetic plate configured to be mounted to a femur of a patient includes a central portion with an inner surface configured to face and/or contact a femoral surface of the femur; a plurality of leg portions extending from the central portion forming a claw configured to grasp a portion of the femur; and a bolt receptor portion extending from the central portion configured for receiving a bolt for securing the plate to the femur during a reverse bolted greater trochanter periprosthetic procedure.