Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University Licenses Novel Claw-Type Humerus Fracture Plate for RMB 250,000

Feb 25, 2026 07:59 CST Updated 08:00

Recently, the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University released a public notice on the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, proposing to license its technology through non-exclusive licensing.“A Claw-Type Plate for Humeral Fractures”Relevant patents are licensed to industry players, with total licensing fees amounting to RMB250,000 yuan. The inventor of this patented technology isZhang Yafeng and Yao Chen。

Zhang Yafeng:Deputy Director of the Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Master’s Supervisor, M.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Medicine. Selected as a trainee under the “Jianghai Famous Doctors and Talents Program” of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, and as a trainee under the Nantong City “226 High-Level Talent Training Project.” Young Committee Member of the Foot and Ankle Medicine Professional Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association; Committee Member of the Foot and Ankle Group of the Repair and Reconstruction Surgery Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine; Committee Member of the Osteoporotic Fracture Group of the Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Diseases Branch of the Jiangsu Medical Association; Deputy Chairman of the Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Diseases Branch of the Nantong Medical Association. Presided over one National Natural Science Foundation of China (Young Scientists Fund), two General Projects of the Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation, one China Postdoctoral Science Foundation project, and one Jiangsu Provincial Postdoctoral Science Foundation project. Published more than 20 papers as first or corresponding author, including 5 SCI-indexed papers; participated in the compilation and translation of 2 monographs; supervised 3 master’s students. Engaged in clinical orthopedic practice for over ten years. In 2014, undertook advanced training in joint surgery under Professor D.P. Konig at LVR Clinic in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. In 2017, undertook advanced training in traumatic orthopedics under Professor CW Oh, Asia-Pacific Chairman of AO Trauma, at the Department of Orthopedics, Kyungpook National University Hospital, South Korea. In 2018, undertook advanced training in foot and ankle surgery under Professor Stefan Rammelt, Vice Chairman of the German Foot and Ankle Society, at the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Germany.

This technology is a utility model patent for a claw-type humeral fracture bone plate, belonging toOrthopedic Implant Medical Devicesfield, core used forClinical Treatment of Humeral Fractures, Especially Proximal Humeral Fractures,Achieve reduction and fixation of fracture sites by implanting onto the bone surface, thereby assisting in fracture healing and recovery.

Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures Faces Dual Challenges in Fragment Fixation and Reduction Adaptation

As the core bone connecting the trunk to the hand in the upper limb, the proximal humerus is a high-incidence area for fractures due to its complex anatomical structure and concentrated stress. The incidence rate remains persistently high among individuals aged 65 and older, with fractures at this site accounting for 10% of all fractures in the elderly population. These fractures severely impair basic motor functions of the upper limb, such as elevation and rotation, thereby limiting activities of daily living including dressing, grooming, and lifting objects. Consequently, they represent a significant orthopedic challenge that hinders the improvement of quality of life in elderly patients.

Clinically, proximal humeral fractures are often accompanied by bone fragment separation, with some cases involving displacement of large fragments of the humeral tuberosity. Such fractures require reduction and fixation using plate implants. By leveraging the support provided by the plate and the anchoring effect of screws, a stable mechanical environment is established to promote bone healing, making this approach the cornerstone of clinical treatment for proximal humeral fractures. For instance, patients with comminuted proximal humeral fractures rely on plates to integrate and fix multiple bone fragments, while those with humeral tuberosity fractures require instrument-assisted reduction to ensure close apposition of bone fragments to the main bone, thereby preventing complications such as malunion and soft tissue adhesion.

Among current mainstream clinical treatment protocols, metal or alloy locking bone plates are widely used in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures due to their strong fixation stability, making them one of the preferred internal fixation devices in clinical practice. However, in actual application, existing bone plates generally adopt a flat-body design concept, which has inherent defects: specifically regarding comminuted bone fragments often associated with proximal humeral fractures, particularly larger fracture fragments of the humeral tuberosity,Lack of specialized auxiliary fixation structures,Inability to achieve precise apposition and anchoring of bone fragments results in poor reduction of the fracture ends, predisposing to fragment displacement and compromising the quality of bone healing.

Meanwhile,Insufficient Adaptability of Traditional Plate Structural Design to the Anatomical Morphology of the Proximal Humerus, some bone plates lack dedicated suture-assistance structures, making it difficult to achieve multiple fixation at the fracture site in conjunction with clinical suturing procedures, resulting in suboptimal stability after reduction. Furthermore, existing bone plates feature uniform specifications for fixation holes and support holes, failing to accommodate the fixation needs of humeral tuberosity fracture fragments of varying sizes. This limitation either leads to insecure fragment fixation due to insufficient fixation points or causes localized stress concentration in the bone, and even secondary bone injury, due to unreasonable hole placement design.

Furthermore,Poor Conformity of Some Plates to the Humeral Bone Surface, further compromising fixation stability and significantly impairing fracture healing efficiency and postoperative upper limb functional recovery. These challenges underscore an urgent clinical need for a novel bone plate that integrates precise fragment fixation, anatomical contour adaptation, and multimodal fixation assistance, thereby addressing the current therapeutic dilemmas in proximal humeral fracture management.

Claw-like Structure Innovatively Reconstructs Fixation Logic, Achieving Dual Upgrades in Precise Adaptation and Stable Healing

the existing traditional humeral fracture plates in clinical practiceDifficult Fragment Fixation, Poor Anatomical Conformity, and Limited Fixation Methods...and other pain points, driving technological innovation in implant devices for humeral fractures. The "claw-type plate for humeral fracture fixation," developed by the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, offers core advantages in"An integrated solution featuring 'precise anchoring of fragmented bone + anatomical adaptation to the proximal humerus + synergistic multi-point fixation' through structural innovation,"Achieving comprehensive breakthroughs from structural design and dimensional specifications to clinical compatibility, it has fundamentally transformed the traditional fixation logic and therapeutic outcomes of bone plates for proximal humeral fractures.

The primary technological breakthrough of this bone plate lies inThe innovative addition of a claw-like protrusion structure fundamentally resolves the clinical challenge of auxiliary fixation for large fragment fractures of the humeral tuberosity.Traditional bone plates mostly feature a flat body design without specialized fixation structures for comminuted bone fragments. Consequently, they struggle to achieve precise conformity and anchorage for large tuberosity fragments associated with proximal humeral fractures, which can lead to fragment displacement and compromise fracture reduction and healing. In contrast, this utility model features claw-like protrusions fixed to the side wall at one end of the bone plate. The concave grooves on the side walls conform closely to the anatomical contour of the humeral tuberosity, facilitating targeted stabilization of larger humeral tuberosity fracture fragments. This design ensures precise alignment between the fragments and the main bone shaft. Furthermore, the mechanical support provided by the protruding structure significantly enhances the stability of fragment fixation, thereby ensuring effective fracture reduction through its fundamental structural design and laying a solid foundation for bone healing.

Secondly,"Highly adaptable to anatomical morphology through precise design in multiple specifications, achieving personalized and conformable fixation for proximal humeral fractures."With overall dimensions of 90–120 mm in length, 12–14 mm in width, and 3–3.5 mm in thickness, the plate precisely matches the anatomical dimensions of the proximal humerus, ensuring close conformity to the bone surface and preventing instability or localized stress concentration caused by size mismatch. The two fixation holes on the claw-like protrusions are designed as tapered threaded holes with a diameter of 3.5–5 mm and an outer diameter of 8–10 mm, accommodating tapered screws for secure anchorage and establishing a stable mechanical connection between the claw-like protrusions, fracture fragments, and the main bone. In contrast to traditional plates, which suffer from limited size options and poor adaptation to the anatomical contour of the proximal humerus, this plate features precise dimensional design from the overall structure to local details. It adapts to varying proximal humeral morphologies and fracture patterns across different patients, enabling “bone-tailored” precise fixation and effectively preventing malunion resulting from poor fit.

Furthermore,A multi-synergistic structure combining screw fixation with suture assistance establishes a comprehensive stabilization system at the fracture site,Significantly Enhance Healing EfficiencyThe support threaded holes on the outer wall of the bone plate achieve basic fixation between the plate and the main bone via external screws, while the fixation holes in the claw-like protrusions further reinforce the connection between bone fragments and the main bone. Additionally, the first suture hole located at one end of the plate, along with three second suture holes (2 mm in diameter) surrounding it, facilitates clinical suture procedures to provide secondary stabilization of the fracture site. This dual-fixation approach, combining "screw anchoring + suture fixation," addresses the limitations of traditional bone plates that rely solely on screw fixation without suture assistance. It provides multi-layered reinforcement of the reduced fracture ends, effectively preventing displacement during bone healing. Meanwhile, the suture structure helps tighten the soft tissues surrounding the fracture, reducing the risk of soft tissue adhesion and promoting simultaneous recovery of both bone and soft tissue. This achieves comprehensive, multi-angular stable fixation of the fracture site, thereby accelerating bone healing and postoperative upper limb functional recovery.

Furthermore,Optimized design of detailed structures further enhances clinical practicality and operational convenience.The concave grooves on the claw-like protrusions not only enhance conformity with the humeral tuberosity but also distribute local stress during fixation, preventing secondary bone injury caused by excessive pressure. The standardized design of the suture holes (with a diameter of 2 mm for the second suture hole) accommodates commonly used clinical suture specifications, allowing surgeons to proceed without additional adjustments and thereby improving operative efficiency. The integrated one-piece structural design of the bone plate eliminates the need for extra assembly during implantation, simplifying the surgical procedure. Meanwhile, the inherent properties of the metal material ensure the mechanical strength of the bone plate, providing long-term, stable support to meet the biomechanical requirements during bone healing.

This claw-type plate for humeral fractures fundamentally addresses many of the pain points associated with traditional plates in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures, through core innovations including claw-like projections, precise sizing, and multi-point fixation, achievingPrecise Fixation of Bone Fragments, High Anatomical Conformity, and Stable Healing of Fracture Sitesmultiple objectives, providing more efficient, precise, and stable implant options for the clinical treatment of proximal humeral fractures, significantly improving fracture healing quality and postoperative upper limb functional recovery.

Focusing on the Humeral Fracture Plate Sector: Technological Innovation Advances Toward Precision Fit and Stable Fixation

As population aging intensifies, the incidence of proximal humeral fractures continues to rise, driving increasing demands for precision, anatomical fit, and fixation stability in humeral fracture plates within the orthopedic implant medical device market. Medical device companies both domestically and internationally are focusing on addressing pain points associated with traditional bone plates, such as difficulties in fixing comminuted fractures and insufficient anatomical conformity. They are pursuing technological innovations in structural design, specification compatibility, and material application, resulting in a competitive landscape characterized by “the optimization and upgrading of domestic locking plates, the deepening clinical penetration of high-end imported products, and the development and commercialization of innovatively structured plates.” The technical features and clinical application progress of related products are supported by clear, publicly available information.

Canwell MedicalAs a specialized manufacturer in the global field of orthopedic implant devices, its launchedCanSFP Distal Posterolateral Humeral Compression PlateThis is a widely used clinical device for the treatment of humeral fractures, with its core design centered on anatomical adaptation and multi-specification fixation. Crafted from pure titanium and featuring a PC-coated surface, the device combines mechanical strength with biocompatibility. The plate body is designed with an anatomical contour that conforms to the morphology of the humerus, and it is available in both left and right versions. With options ranging from 3 to 12 holes and lengths spanning 80mm to 188mm, it can accommodate the treatment needs for humeral fractures at various locations and severities. The product’s innovative compression fixation structure effectively maintains surgical reduction, reduces the risk of displacement during fracture healing, and enhances bone healing efficiency. Currently applied in orthopedic clinical practice in multiple countries worldwide, it has become a standard instrument for the treatment of complex humeral fractures.

Natong Technology GroupDeeply rooted in the domestic orthopedic implant device sector, it has launchedProximal Humerus Polyaxial Locking Plate SeriesComprehensive Solutions for Humeral Fractures: Focusing on Technological Innovations in Polyaxial Fixation and Anatomical ContouringThis product series includes various specialized items such as polyaxial locking plates for the proximal humerus and locking plates for the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The polyaxial locking plate for the proximal humerus features a polyaxial hole design in the head segment, allowing flexible adjustment of screw insertion angles to achieve multi-angle anchorage for proximal humeral fractures. The locking plate for the greater tuberosity is specifically designed for fractures of the humeral tuberosities; its anatomically contoured body fully covers the greater tuberosity, while integrated suture holes enable simultaneous fixation of the rotator cuff. A divergent screw layout further enhances mechanical fixation strength.The complete product line offers comprehensive specifications. The polyaxial locking plates for the proximal humerus are available in 4–12 holes and lengths ranging from 78 mm to 174 mm, accommodating diverse patient bone morphologies and fracture classifications. These products have obtained medical device registration certificates and are widely used in orthopedic departments at hospitals of all levels across China.