Universal A-Shaped Mandibular Condyle Plate with X-Crosspiece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mandibular condylar fracture fixation plates are side-dedicated, requiring separate plates for the left and right sides of the patient, which limits their universal application and stability, especially when only two screws can be used for fixation in the upper segment.
Innovation Solution
A universal A-shaped plate with two arms connected at the top and parted at the bottom, featuring three screw holes at the joint for condyle fixation and two screw holes at the lower ends for the ramus of the mandible, with an X-shaped crosspiece for increased rigidity and stability, allowing use on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If side-dedicated plates are used for mandibular condylar fracture fixation, then the plate can be optimized for specific anatomical variations on each side, but it requires maintaining separate plate designs for left and right sides, increasing device complexity and inventory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single plate configuration that can be used on both the left and right sides of the mandible. The plate features symmetrical geometry with the axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the mandible, allowing it to function universally across different anatomical positions without requiring side-specific variations.
2Device complexity
If only two screw holes are provided at the upper segment of the plate, then the plate design remains simple, but the stability of fracture fixing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the screw fixation points into distinct functional groups: three screw holes at the upper segment (apex region) for enhanced condylar head fixation, and two screw holes at the lower segment (body region) for mandibular body attachment. This segmentation allows optimized stability at each location while maintaining overall design simplicity.
3Strength
If the plate is made thicker to increase breaking strength, then the plate can resist higher biting forces, but the upper part of the plate becomes wider, making it difficult to screw into the narrow bone of the mandibular neck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the plate thickness at different locations: the plate is thickest at the apex (upper segment) where maximum strength is needed to resist biting forces, and gradually tapers toward the lower segment and edges where less thickness is required. This localized thickness distribution provides both high strength and anatomical compatibility with the narrow mandibular neck.
4Stability of the object's composition
If an X-shaped crosspiece is added to the plate, then the rigidity and stability of the plate are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the crosspiece structure directly into the plate body as a unified element. The X-shaped crosspiece is not a separate component but is formed as part of the plate's continuous structure, connecting the upper and lower segments while providing rigid reinforcement. This merging approach enhances stability without requiring additional separate parts or complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A universal plate for fixing mandibular condylar fracture, an A-shaped one, comprising two arms connected together at the top and parted at the bottom and there connected with a crosspiece, wherein three holes for screws for fixing the plate in the condyle are located at the joint of said arms, said holes being arranged at the top of the vertices of an isosceles triangle, and wherein at the lower ends of the arms there are located two holes for screws for fixing the plate in the ramus of the mandible. The plate (1) is symmetrical relative to an axis of symmetry (O) and the crosspiece (4) is an X-shaped crosspiece with the axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of symmetry (O) of the plate (1), wherein four arms of the crosspiece (4) are directed towards the respective holes (61, 62; 71, 72) for screws for fixing the plate (1) in the ramus of the mandible.