Variable Angle Bone Plate with Deformable Insert Wedging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for fixing or stabilizing adjacent bone portions often face challenges in maintaining secure attachment without loosening, particularly in dynamic applications where controlled movement is required, and in adapting to different bone sites and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A plate system with strategically designed through bores, insert pieces, and fasteners that allow for angular orientation and wedging action to securely attach to bone portions, utilizing threaded surfaces and deformable insert pieces to create a compressive connection and prevent loosening, while allowing for controlled movement and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plate system with fixed angular orientation is used to secure bone portions, then the attachment strength is improved, but the adaptability to different bone sites and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plate system employs movable inserts within the plate bores that can be positioned at different angular orientations before being locked in place. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to various bone sites and conditions while maintaining secure attachment, as the inserts can be repositioned to optimize both strength and adaptability for each specific application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the angular parameter of fastener orientation by moving the inserts to different positions within the plate bores. This parameter adjustment enables the same plate system to be adapted to different bone sites and conditions while maintaining attachment strength, resolving the contradiction between fixed strength and variable adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a versatile plate system with adjustable orientation is used to adapt to different bone sites, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plate system is segmented into discrete components: the plate with bores, movable inserts, and fasteners. This segmentation allows the inserts to be independently positioned and adjusted within the plate bores, providing versatility without requiring a completely different plate design for each application. The modular nature reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable inserts are nested within the plate bores, allowing them to move freely for positioning adjustments and then be locked in place. This nested configuration provides adjustability without adding external complexity to the system, as the adjustment mechanism is contained within the existing plate structure rather than requiring separate adjustment devices.
3Reliability
If deformable insert pieces are used to create compressive connection, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insert pieces are designed to undergo controlled deformation as a parameter change during the fastening process. This deformation allows the inserts to conform to slight variations in bone geometry and fastener alignment, compensating for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable attachment. The material properties and geometric design of the inserts enable this deformation without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
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 effectively maintains secure attachment of bone portions, preventing loosening and allowing for controlled movement, thereby enhancing stability and adaptability to various bone sites and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the insert pieces is made thin enough to deform under a force produced by the first fastener as the first fastener is advanced through the first bore
Implementation Method 2
The rounded head has a convex surface that cooperates with the concave surfaces... the convex surface has threads, the concave surfaces have threads, and the threads on the convex surface and concave surfaces cooperate as the first fastener is advanced
Implementation Method 3
The rounded head has a convex surface that cooperates with the concave surfaces. The convex surface has threads, the concave surfaces have threads, and the threads on the convex surface and concave surfaces cooperate as the first fastener is advanced through the first bore
Implementation Method 4
advancing of the first fastener through the first bore causes one of the first and second insert pieces to wedge the plate in a direction transversely to the first axis to cause the bone portions to be urged towards each other
Data Source
AI summary
A plate system for controlling relative positions of adjacent bone portions. The plate system has a plate with first and second spaced through bores, an insert consisting of first and second insert pieces in the first bore, and a first fastener. The first plate bore, first and second insert pieces, and first fastener are configured so that advancing of the first fastener into the first bore and one of the adjacent bone portions causes the first fastener to be fixed in a selected one of a plurality of different potential angular orientations for the first fastener. The system further has a second fastener for direction through the second bore and into the other of the adjacent bone portions.