Arc-Shaped Heel Bone Nail with Tapered Conical Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone nails for the heel often cause nerve damage during insertion due to their straight design, leading to pain and instability in the hindfoot.
Innovation Solution
A bone nail with an arc-shaped main portion and a tapered conical shape, allowing for easier insertion and gradual expansion of the bore within the bone tissue, providing a secure and stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a straight uncurved bone nail is inserted through the hindfoot, then the insertion process is simple, but nerves on the plantar side may be damaged causing pain
Solution Approach 1:
The bone nail is designed with an arc-shaped curvature having a radius of at least 130 mm, allowing it to follow the natural arc-shaped bore through the calcaneus and talus bones. This curved configuration avoids direct contact with and damage to the nerves concentrated on the plantar side of the foot, while still achieving stable fixation of the hindfoot bones.
2Device complexity
If a straight bone nail is used, then the device structure is simple, but long-term stability and integration within bone tissue is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped design with radius of at least 130 mm provides mechanical advantage by distributing forces along the curved path through the bones, improving long-term stability and integration within the bone tissue compared to a straight nail configuration.
3Ease of operation
If a bone nail with tight curvature is used, then insertion into arc-shaped bore is easier, but the nail may cause stress concentration or bone tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The radius of curvature is specifically designed to be at least 130 mm, which is a critical parameter that balances ease of insertion into the arc-shaped bore with avoidance of stress concentration and bone tissue damage. This parameter optimization ensures smooth insertion while maintaining bone health.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone nail (1) for the heel includes: a front portion (2) determined for insertion into one or more bones (14, 15, 16) or bone fragments of the heel and having a tip (3), and an arc-shaped main portion (4) extending from the front portion (2) and having a rear end (5), wherein the main portion (4) includes a tapered shape such that a cross sectional diameter of the main portion (4) within at least one first section (20) increases towards the rear end (5). According to embodiments, a curvature of the arc-shaped main portion (4) includes a radius of curvature rc which amounts to at least 130 mm. According to other embodiments, the tapered shape is a conical shape.