Articulating Limb Support for Orthopedic Fracture Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing and maintaining fracture alignment in orthopedic surgery are time-consuming, prone to human error, and obstruct access for imaging and sterilization, as they rely on manual manipulation and external supports like crutches, which are imprecise and can cause misalignment due to gravitational forces and internal muscle tension.
Innovation Solution
A limb positioning and support device with an articulating and rotating arm coupled to a surgical table, allowing three degrees of freedom for precise alignment and stabilization of fractured bone segments, which can be easily adjusted and disengaged for sterilization, and then repositioned accurately for invasive surgery, while accommodating x-ray imaging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation and external supports like crutches are used to reduce and maintain fracture alignment, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the process is time-consuming, prone to human error, and obstructs access for imaging and sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device with support arms and articulating joints that act as an intermediary between the surgical table and the fractured limb. This device provides mechanical assistance for fracture reduction and maintenance, replacing manual manipulation and crude external supports like crutches. The positioning device includes adjustable support arms with articulating joints that can be positioned to align fractured bone segments, and it incorporates imaging markers that facilitate radiographic verification of reduction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is designed to be self-adjusting and self-maintaining during the surgical procedure. The support arms with articulating joints can be independently positioned and locked to maintain fracture alignment without requiring continuous manual intervention. The device includes locking mechanisms and adjustable components that allow it to maintain the reduced position autonomously throughout the surgery, freeing the surgical team to perform other tasks.
2Measurement precision
If manual manipulation is used to achieve fracture reduction, then the limb can be aligned, but the process is highly susceptible to human error and requires continuous manual holding until surgical fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device serves as a reliable intermediary that mechanically maintains fracture reduction without human intervention. The support arms with articulating joints provide stable mechanical support to the limb, holding the fractured segments in the reduced position through the duration of the surgical procedure. This eliminates the need for continuous manual holding by the surgical team and reduces the risk of accidental misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (surgeon's hands and external crutch supports) with a more sophisticated mechanical positioning device. This device incorporates articulating joints, adjustable support arms, and locking mechanisms that provide more reliable and precise mechanical control of limb positioning than manual manipulation alone. The device can maintain fracture alignment with greater stability and precision throughout the surgical procedure.
3Measurement precision
If a crutch is used as columnar support between the limb and operating room floor, then the fractured bone ends can be aligned, but precise positioning is difficult, requires several iterative adjustments, and the crutch can slip or be dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device acts as an improved intermediary between the surgical table and the limb, replacing the crude crutch support. The device includes support arms with articulating joints that can be precisely positioned and adjusted to achieve optimal fracture alignment. These arms are mounted to the surgical table and can be adjusted in multiple degrees of freedom, allowing precise control of limb positioning without the trial-and-error adjustments required when using a crutch.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device incorporates dynamic, adjustable support structures rather than fixed rigid supports like a crutch. The support arms can be adjusted in position, angle, and height to accommodate different patient anatomies and fracture patterns. The articulating joints allow the support arms to adapt to the limb's position, and the entire device can be reconfigured as needed during the surgical procedure, providing flexibility and precision that a static crutch cannot achieve.
4Ease of operation
If the limb is suspended between the hip and lower leg without intermediate support, then unobstructed access to the surgical area is provided, but gravitational forces cause posterior displacement or sagging of the fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device introduces an intermediate support system between the hip and lower leg regions. The support arms extend from the surgical table to contact and support the limb at strategic locations, preventing gravitational sagging and posterior displacement of the fracture. This intermediate support maintains the limb in a stable, aligned position throughout the surgical procedure while still allowing unobstructed access to the surgical site, as the support structure is integrated into the surgical table assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A limb positioning and support device for achieving and maintaining reduction of a human bone in connection with surgical procedures involving orthopedic and other surgical fracture tables. The limb positioning and support device includes an articulating and rotating positioning and support arm coupled between a surgical table and a limb saddle. The positioning and support arm is configured to selectively allow translation and/or rotation of the limb saddle in three degrees of freedom. Actuation mechanisms drive the limb saddle vertically and horizontally. A pivot joint coupled between the limb saddle and the positioning and support arm permits rotation of the limb saddle about a vertical axis, and the limb saddle can be angularly displaced about the longitudinal axis of the subject limb. The limb saddle can be positioned and adjusted to bring fractured bone ends into alignment and hold the fracture stationary during the surgical procedure.