External Fixation Apparatus with Adjustable Pin Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external bone fixation devices lack the flexibility to adjust the angle of bone pins relative to the housing or frame, limiting their ability to accommodate various fracture configurations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation device with a housing that includes rotationally adjustable pin mounting structures, featuring spherically rounded surfaces and deformable portions, allowing bone pins to be clamped and adjusted in both linear extension and angular orientation relative to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bone pins are fixed at predetermined angles in the housing, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the device cannot accommodate various fracture configurations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mounting structure is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. Each pin can be rotated to different angles and positions within the housing using a rotational adjustment mechanism, allowing the device to adapt to various fracture configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with multiple pin mounting structures that can accommodate pins at various angles and positions. This universal design allows a single device to handle different fracture types and locations, replacing the need for multiple specialized fixation devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of fixation devices are maintained in inventory to meet various fracture configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and inventory management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A single external fixation device housing incorporates multiple adjustable pin mounting structures that can be configured in various ways. By adjusting the angle and position of individual pins, one device can replace multiple specialized fixation devices, simplifying inventory while maintaining comprehensive adaptability across different fracture scenarios
3Reliability
If bone pins are clamped rigidly to the housing, then the fixation stability is improved, but the ability to adjust pin angles and positions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism incorporates a rotational adjustment feature that allows pins to be positioned at different angles before being secured. Once adjusted to the desired orientation, the clamping structure provides rigid fixation to maintain stability during healing, thus combining adjustability with reliable stable fixation
4Adaptability or versatility
If the region of convergence for bone pins is extended over a long distance along the housing, then the adjustment flexibility is improved, but the structural compactness and effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mounting structures are arranged in an arcuate pattern rather than a straight line, creating a compact curved region of convergence. This arcuate configuration allows multiple pins to converge in a limited space while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate various angular orientations, effectively reducing the linear distance required along the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include pin holders arranged so that bone pins, extending from a linearly extending or arcuate surface are concentrated in a region.