FIXATION PLATE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixation plate for fixing objects in a flexurally rigid manner in a longitudinal direction of the plate, while allowing a certain degree of bending in the other direction and a certain degree of torsion along the diagonals of the plate. According to the invention, the plate (1) is made of an elastic material, and a plurality of closed cavities (2) are formed in the plate in the flexurally rigid longitudinal direction thereof. Inelastic rods (3) which are deformable to the contour of the object or objects are provided in the cavities (2).

Description: FIXATION PLATE The present invention relates to a fixation plate for fixing objects in a flexurally rigid manner in a longitudinal direction of the plate, while allowing a certain degree of bending in the other direction and 5 a certain degree of torsion along the diagonals of the plate. In the case of e.g. a rib fracture, use has hither¬ to been made of a splint or supporting bandage or such like which is wound around the chest to immobilise the 10 ribs. The mobility of the chest is then limited and natural breathing made more difficult since the chest is not free to expand. Therefore, the pressure exerted on the ribs may cause severe pain to the patient. Since the ribs will move despite the splint and this movement 15 is not the natural one but an enforced movement, the healing process will also be considerably prolonged. The object of the present invention thus is to pro¬ vide a fixation plate of the type stated in the intro¬ duction to this specification, which is used for sup- 20 porting and fixing e.g. fractured ribs, but which at the same time also allows the ribs to move and follow the natural motion of the chest during breathing. This object is achieved by a fixation plate having the fea¬ tures stated in the claims. 25 The invention will now be described in more de¬ tail in a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a section of a fixation plate in accor¬ dance with the invention; 30 Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the fixation plate according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, which is a section similar to that of Fig. 2, shows an alternative embodiment of the fixation plate according to the invention. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the fixation plate according to the invention comprises a plate 1 of an elastic material, such as rubber or plastic. A plurality of closed cavities 2 are formed in the plate 1 and extend in the flexurally rigid longitudi¬ nal direction of the plate. A rod 3 is provided in each cavity 2. The rods 3 are made of an inelastic but deformable material and have such dimensions rela¬ tive to the cavities that each rod is enclosed with play in the respective cavity and is freely movable therein, i.e. such that the rods are in no way fixed to the cavity walls. If the fixation plate should be used for fixing fractured ribs, perforations 4 may also be provided in the plate 1. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixation plate. In this embodiment, the cavities are defined by tubes 5 or the like which are embedded in the plate 1 by moulding. Otherwise, this embodi¬ ment agrees with the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2. For attaching the plate 1 to the .object or ob¬ jects to be immobilised, one side of the plate, may be provided with an adhesive layer 6 or the like, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When the fixation plate should be used for fixing rib fractures, the adhesive layer 6 is a tape which is kind to the skin. When using the fixation plate, the rods 3 are first deformed to follow the contour of the object or objects to be fixed in the direction intended to be flexurally rigid. In the case of a rib fracture, this thus means the direction of the ribs. The plate 1 is thereafter attached to the object or objects, e.g. by means of the adhesive layer 6. Since the rods 3 are freely movable with play in the cavities 2 of the plate, this can be bent to a certain extent in the non-flexurally rigid direction and also be twisted to a certain extent along the diagonals, yet ensuring sufficient flexural rigidity in the longitudinal direc- tion of the rods. In the case of a rib fracture, this means that the ribs are firmly fixed in their longitu¬ dinal direction while the chest remains free to expand normally during breathing.. The healing process thus is essentially accelerated without causing any pain to the patient. Although the invention has been described above with particular reference to the fixation of fractured ribs, it is understood that the invention can also be used in other cases for fixing objects where flec- tural rigidity is required in one direction, but where a certain mobility in the other direction or a certain torsional capacity is desired. Further, if the mate¬ rial in the plate so allows, the rods need not be free- ly movable with play, but may be embedded directly in the plate by moulding. In this case, the cavities thus are completely filled by the respective rod. The invention is not restricted to this field of use but may also be applied in other contexts and be modified within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Fixation plate for fixing objects in a .flexu¬ rally rigid manner in a longitudinal direction of. the . plate, while allowing a certain degree of bending in the other direction and a certain degree :of torsion . along the diagonals of the plate, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i s e d in that the plate (1) is made of an elastic material, that a plurality of closed cavities (2) are formed in the plate in the flexurally rigid longitudi¬ nal direction thereof, and that inelastic rods (3) de- formable to the contour of the object or objects are. provided in said cavities. 2. Plate as claimed in claim 1, c h a r.a. c - t e r i s e d in that the rods ( 3 ) are freely mov¬ able with play in the cavities (2). 3. Plate as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c — t e r i s e d in that the cavities (2) are provided by elastic tubes (5) embedded in the plate (1) by moulding. 4. Plate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the plate (1) is provided on one side with an adhesive layer (6) for attaching the plate to the object or objects. 5. Plate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is pro- vided with perforations (4) between and outside, the ~ cavities (2) .

Inventors: ERIKSSON BENGT, ERIKSSON, BENGT (DECEASED)
Applicants: ERIKSSON INGA LENA LEGAL REPRE, EUREKA PRODUCT DEV AB, ERIKSSON, INGA-LENA (LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE, EUREKA PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AB
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F5