Adjustable Skull Fixation Brackets for Bone Flap Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating raised intracranial pressure through decompressive craniectomy involve high infection and mortality rates due to the cryopreservation and subsequent reattachment of a bone flap, necessitating a second invasive surgery.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device and system that allows for the adjustable attachment of a bone flap to the skull, using a bracket and fastener system to incrementally adjust the distance between the base and the bracket, enabling minimally invasive adjustment to return the bone flap to its original position as the brain swelling reduces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bone flap is cryopreserved and returned after several months, then the skull can be closed, but infection rates and patient mortality rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device incorporates an adjustable fastening mechanism that allows dynamic modification of the bone flap position. The fastener can be adjusted to incrementally reduce the distance between the base and bracket, enabling the bone flap to be gradually returned to its original position without requiring removal from the skull, thereby eliminating the need for cryopreservation and reducing infection risk
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device is divided into separate functional components: a base attached to the skull, a bracket attached to the bone flap, and an adjustable fastener connecting them. This segmentation allows the bone flap to be fixed in place without removal, enabling gradual adjustment through the fastening mechanism while maintaining continuous contact with the skull, thus preventing infection
2Volume of stationary object
If the bone flap is removed and cryopreserved, then the skull volume can be increased, but a second invasive surgery is required for reattachment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable fastening mechanism allows the bone flap to be dynamically repositioned without removal. The fastener can be adjusted to incrementally reduce the distance between the base and bracket, enabling the bone flap to be gradually returned to its original position while remaining attached to the skull, thereby eliminating the need for a second invasive surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device is installed during the initial craniectomy surgery with the bone flap in a retracted position. The adjustable fastener is pre-configured to allow future adjustment, enabling the bone flap to be gradually returned to its original position through minimally invasive adjustment rather than requiring removal and reattachment in a second surgery
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bone flap is rigidly fixed, then the structure is stable, but the distance between base and bracket cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism combines rigid fixation with adjustable capability. The fastener can be adjusted to incrementally reduce the distance between the base and bracket, allowing the bone flap to be gradually returned to its original position while maintaining stable fixation throughout the adjustment process
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device is segmented into a base, bracket, and adjustable fastener. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain rigid fixation stability through the base-bracket connection while providing adjustability through the modular fastening mechanism, enabling both stability and adaptability simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A fixation device includes a base, a bracket positioned above the base, and a fastener connecting the bracket and the base. The base is configured to be attached to a first surface, such as a skull of a patient. The bracket includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion connecting an end of the upper portion to an end of the lower portion. The lower portion is configured to be attached to a second surface, such as a bone flap removed from the skull of the patient. The fastener connects the upper portion of the bracket to the base. The fastener is configured to pass through at least one of an opening in the base and an opening in the upper portion of the bracket to incrementally adjust a distance between the base and the upper portion of the bracket.