Bendable Osteosynthesis Fillet with Adjustable Clamps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing tubular bones after fractures or osteotomies, such as in the thorax region, often restrict patient mobility and breathing and fail to achieve immediate exercise stability, even with surgical intervention using wires or osteosynthesis materials.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a bendable carrier fillet with laterally extending clamps that can be adjusted to fit various bone contours, allowing for easy attachment and stabilization of tubular bones, with the option to be cut to size and made from biocompatible materials like titanium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical wire or osteosynthesis wire is used to immobilize bones, then the bones can be stabilized, but immediate exercise stability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the stabilization function into multiple clamps that can be independently positioned and adjusted along the fillet, allowing each clamp to secure bone fragments individually while maintaining overall structural integrity and enabling immediate exercise stability
Solution Approach 2:
The fillet is designed to be bendable and adjustable, allowing the device to adapt dynamically to different bone configurations and fracture patterns, thereby achieving immediate exercise stability across various clinical scenarios
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-length implant is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different bone shapes and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fillet is designed with bendable characteristics that allow it to be adjusted intraoperatively to match different bone contours and lengths, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size implants
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows change in the geometric parameters of the fillet through bending and adjustment, enabling adaptation to various bone shapes and sizes while maintaining a single standardized implant design
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for osteosynthesis, then adaptability to different fracture types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the fillet and multiple clamps into a single integrated implant structure, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to adapt to different fracture types through adjustable clamp positioning
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables immediate stability and versatility in osteosynthesis, facilitating bone healing while allowing for adjustable fit to different bone shapes and sizes, reducing post-operative convalescence time and improving patient mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the fillet has at least one area arranged between the first clamp and second clamp that is formed so as to be bendable relative to the longitudinal axis of the fillet
Data Source
AI summary
FIG. 1 shows an inventive implant 1. It has a central fillet 2 extending along a longitudinal axis L. The fillet 2 has openings 3 which are formed at regular intervals. At the level of the openings 3 and extending at right angles on both sides are clamps 4, which, when the implant is inserted, are brought into mutual engagement with a tubular bone and clamped to it. The fillet 2 is formed so as to be bendable in three-dimensions. It can be bent in two planes relative to the longitudinal axis L of the fillet 2 and torqued about the longitudinal axis L. Thus, a simple implant 1 with an overall regular structure is provided which can be cut with a cutting pliers to a desired length.