Variable Angle Compression Plate Hole Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plates often have fixed hole configurations that limit the choice of bone fixation elements, making it difficult to adapt to varying fracture types and angles, which can restrict the flexibility and effectiveness of fracture stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate with combination holes that include both a compression portion and a variable angle portion, connected by a space, allowing for the use of different types of bone fixation elements, such as non-threaded and threaded screws, and enabling insertion at various angles to provide secure anchoring and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bone plate has fixed hole configurations for single type of bone fixation element, then the manufacturing and design are simple, but the adaptability to varying fracture types and angles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing combination holes that can receive multiple types of bone fixation elements (non-threaded screws, locked screws, and angled locked screws) through a single hole configuration. The hole includes a compression portion for non-threaded screws and a variable angle portion with columns and gaps for locked and angled locked screws, allowing one hole to serve multiple functions and eliminating the need for separate hole types for different fixation elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bone plate has combination holes to receive multiple types of bone fixation elements, then the versatility is improved, but the structural complexity of the hole increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hole into distinct functional portions: a compression portion with a sloping surface for non-threaded screws and a variable angle portion with columns containing protrusions for locked and angled locked screws. The connecting space positions these portions relative to each other, allowing each segment to independently accommodate specific fixation element types while maintaining overall hole integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the connecting space between compression portion and variable angle portion is large, then the two portions can be independently designed, but the columns must be cut off which may weaken the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the connecting space specifically between selected columns rather than uniformly across all columns. This allows the connecting space to provide necessary separation for independent design and manufacturing of the compression and variable angle portions, while preserving the integrity of critical columns that need to remain continuous for structural strength. The selective placement ensures local separation where needed without compromising overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone plate, (100) comprises a first surface (102) and a second surface (104) in combination with a first hole (106) extending through the bone plate from the first surface to the second surface, the hole including a compression portion (112) and a variable angle portion (114) open to one another by a connecting space (134), the compression portion including a sloping surface adapted to engage a head of a bone fixation element inserted thereinto so that the bone fixation element imparts a force to the bone plate to move the bone plate laterally relative to a portion of bone into which the bone fixation element is inserted, the variable angle portion including a plurality of columns (120) positioned about a circumference of a wall of the variable angle portion, the columns being separated from one another by a plurality of gaps (122) positioned between adjacent pairs of columns and including a plurality of protrusions (132) extending radially inward therefrom.