Angularly Adjustable External Fixation Apparatus for Wrist Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional external fixation devices for treating fractured distal radius often result in inadequate internal fixation, leading to deformity, pain, and prolonged disability, as they immobilize the radiocarpal joint, restricting hand movement and requiring extended recovery time after removal.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing, pin holder, clamping member, guide tube, and tube holder system that allows adjustable angle and rotational movement of bone pins, enabling flexible fixation while minimizing damage to soft tissues, and allowing for lateral pin placement to maintain bone alignment without immobilizing the radiocarpal joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional external fixation devices are used to hold bone fragments in place, then stable fixation is achieved, but the radiocarpal joint is immobilized requiring extended recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the fixation function from the joint immobilization function. The pin holder allows individual pin placement at specific angles while the ball-and-socket joint enables independent wrist movement, so bone fragments are stabilized without restricting radiocarpal joint mobility, reducing recovery time after removal
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-and-socket joint connection between the pin holder and housing provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the pin holder to be positioned at various angles relative to the housing. This enables the device to adapt to different fracture patterns while maintaining fixation stability without requiring joint immobilization
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of fixation devices are maintained in inventory to meet various fracture configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions in a single unit: the housing provides structural support, the ball-and-socket joint enables angular adjustment, the pin holder accommodates multiple pins at different orientations, and the guide tube ensures proper pin insertion. This multi-functional design allows one device type to handle various fracture configurations, reducing inventory requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If bone pins are rotated during installation, then proper bone engagement is achieved, but soft tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube is positioned and secured to the pin holder before bone pin insertion. This preliminary action establishes a protected pathway that guides the pin during rotation and insertion, preventing the pin from contacting and damaging surrounding soft tissues while ensuring accurate bone engagement
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. For example, the device includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A drill guide fitting into the internal mounting surfaces is used to protect soft tissue from bone pins and they are rotated during installation.