Y-Shaped Dual-Head Elbow Plate for Multidirectional Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plates for treating elbow fractures face challenges such as limited linear compression options, increased operation time, excessive drilled holes and screws, and lack of multi-directional compression capabilities, particularly in complex fractures.
Innovation Solution
A unitary dual-headed bone plate with a Y-shaped design featuring multiple compression holes on each portion, allowing multi-directional compression along different axes, including locking and non-locking screw options, and manufactured via additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dual bone plates are used to treat elbow fractures, then bone stabilization is achieved, but operation time increases and the number of drilled holes and screws increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate bone plates into a single unitary dual-headed plate that can be applied to the bone in one piece. This merging of two independent plates into one integrated structure reduces the number of surgical steps, decreases operation time, and maintains the stabilization function while eliminating the need for separate plate applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary dual-headed plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can stabilize fractures in complex patterns, provide multi-directional compression, and replace what would traditionally require two separate plates. The single plate structure incorporates features that enable it to address multiple fracture configurations that previously required multiple independent plates.
2Reliability
If traditional dual bone plates are used to treat elbow fractures, then bone stabilization is achieved, but the number of drilled holes and screws increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two separate plates into one unitary structure, the patent reduces the total number of screws and holes required. The integrated design allows for shared fixation points and eliminates redundant hardware that would be present when using two independent plates, thereby decreasing the quantity of substances (screws, holes) while maintaining stabilization reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional dual bone plates are used to treat elbow fractures, then coverage of fracture areas is achieved, but plate shaft overlap limits certain plate combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary dual-headed plate is segmented into distinct functional regions or 'heads' that can independently address different fracture areas. This segmentation within a unified structure allows each head to cover specific fracture zones while the overall plate design avoids shaft overlap problems, enabling combinations that were previously impossible with independent plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the two-dimensional arrangement of separate plates to a three-dimensional integrated structure. The unitary dual-headed plate utilizes spatial dimensionality to achieve coverage of multiple fracture areas without the shaft overlap that plagues traditional dual plate configurations, thereby expanding adaptability and versatility.
4Ease of operation
If unitary elbow plates with specific configurations are used, then simplified application is achieved, but multi-directional compression capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary dual-headed plate incorporates multiple compression holes oriented in different directions within each head, enabling multi-directional compression capabilities. This universal design allows the single plate to perform various compression functions that would otherwise require multiple specialized plates, maintaining ease of application while significantly enhancing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone plate for stabilizing a bone includes a unitary plate having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion with at least one compression hole on each portion. Each of the second and third portions are attached to the first portion and branch away from each other. The compression holes allow compression along three different directions. Also provided is a bone plating system including a single plate having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion with at least one locking compression hole on each portion; a non-locking bone screw; and a locking bone screw. Additionally provided is a method of stabilizing a bone.