Angled Intramedullary Bone Nail for Small Fracture Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthopedic fixation devices, such as bone plates, can impede bone healing by reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the fracture site, whereas intramedullary nails offer advantages like faster healing and lower infection rates but may not be suitable for smaller bones.

Innovation Solution

A bone nail with a head portion and a stem portion, featuring a distal portion bent at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a continuous passageway for guide wire insertion, designed for antegrade or retrograde insertion into the medullary canal of bones like the fibula, using anchor screws for stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plate-and-screw fixation device is used, then fracture stabilization is achieved, but blood flow and oxygen supply to the fracture site are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture stabilizationVSAvoidblood flow reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the fixation device on the external surface of the bone (plate-and-screw method), the invention inverts the approach by inserting the fixation device inside the medullary canal of the bone. This internal placement allows the bone to maintain its external blood supply while still achieving stable fixation through the intramedullary nail and blocking screws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If intramedullary nail is used, then healing speed and infection rate are improved, but applicability to smaller bones is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing speedVSAvoidapplicability to smaller bones

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adapts the intramedullary nail design for smaller bones by modifying the local characteristics of the nail. The nail includes a curved distal portion with specific angular deviations (e.g., 30-60 degrees) and varied diameters along its length, allowing it to conform to the specific geometry of smaller bones like the fibula while maintaining the load-sharing and stabilization benefits of intramedullary fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If traditional casting is used, then fracture immobilization is achieved, but muscle strength and joint mobility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture immobilizationVSAvoidmuscle strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from static immobilization (traditional casting) to dynamic stabilization. The intramedullary nail with blocking screws provides stable fixation that allows controlled movement and load-sharing, enabling early mobilization and physical therapy while maintaining fracture stability. This dynamic approach preserves muscle strength and prevents joint stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12076061B2Bone nail

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 ARTHREX TRAUMA INC

AI summary

A bone nail for stabilizing a fracture. The bone nail having a head portion and a stem portion. The stem portion offset from the longitudinal axis of the head portion. The nail including a continuous passageway extending from a rear edge of the nail to a front edge of the nail. The continuous passageway including a bore extending longitudinally through the head portion and both a groove and a bore in the stem portion.