Variable Angle Bone Plate Aperture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plates struggle to stabilize bone fractures effectively, particularly in cases of bone fragmentation, as they often require fixation elements to be inserted at specific angles to reach and secure random fragments, limiting their versatility and stability.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation member with apertures featuring upper and lower protrusions spaced circumferentially in common planes but out of phase with each other, allowing for variable angle insertion of fixation elements, thereby enhancing the ability to reach different bone areas and secure fragments at various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bone plates use standard apertures for fixation element insertion, then the plate structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to reach different bone areas and secure fragments at various positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple functional zones with upper and lower protrusions that are out of phase with each other. This segmentation allows the aperture to provide multiple insertion angles and paths for fixation elements, enabling the plate to reach different bone areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture design incorporates protrusions at different heights (upper and lower) that are out of phase circumferentially, adding a vertical dimension to the angular variation capability. This allows fixation elements to be inserted at multiple angles by varying both the horizontal and vertical positions, significantly expanding the reach to different bone areas.
2Reliability
If conventional bone plates use fixed angle apertures, then the manufacturing precision is easier to maintain, but the stability and security of bone fracture stabilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the aperture have different local qualities - upper protrusions and lower protrusions are positioned at different heights and circumferential locations. This local variation in protrusion positioning creates multiple stable engagement positions for fixation elements, enhancing stabilization reliability while allowing for controlled manufacturing tolerances in each local region.
3Ease of operation
If bone plates require fixation elements to be inserted at specific angles, then the aperture design remains simple, but the ease of operation and ability to secure random fragments in various positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture design provides dynamic adaptability by offering multiple engagement positions through out-of-phase upper and lower protrusions. This allows the surgeon to dynamically adjust the insertion angle of fixation elements to match the varying positions of bone fragments, making it easier to secure fragments in various positions without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fixation member used to promote healing of a fracture. The fixation member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The aperture including a plurality of upper protrusions and a plurality of lower protrusions. The upper protrusions spaced longitudinally from the lower protrusions wherein the lower protrusions are out of phase with the upper protrusions. In a further example, the upper protrusions are spaced circumferentially in a common plane and the lower protrusions are spaced circumferentially in a common plane. The common plane of the upper protrusions spaced from the common plane of the lower protrusions along a longitudinal axis of the aperture with the aperture lacking protrusions between the plane of upper protrusions and plane of lower protrusions.