Bilateral Mandibular Distractor with Integrated Activation Bar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unilateral distraction devices for mandibular distraction osteogenesis are cumbersome, causing discomfort and requiring longer surgical times due to exposure of activation bars outside the cheek and instability in affixing to rabbit mandibles with divergent and thin structures.

Innovation Solution

A mandibular distractor device with a distractor body comprising an anterior and posterior plate, where the activation bar extends through the body, allowing for simultaneous activation of both sides of the mandible, reducing exposure and improving stability with threaded and smooth portions for secure attachment and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a unilateral distraction device with two separate distractors is used, then distraction osteogenesis can be performed on both sides of the mandible, but the activation bars exposed outside the cheek cause discomfort and annoyance to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction capability on both sides of mandibleVSAvoiddiscomfort and annoyance from exposed activation bars

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate unilateral distraction devices into a single bilateral distractor device that can simultaneously attach to and activate both sides of the mandible. The activation bar is designed to extend through the body of the distractor and be receivable by a receiver on the opposing side, allowing both sides to be activated through a single bar rotation mechanism, thereby eliminating the need for two separate activation bars to be exposed outside the cheek

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a unilateral distraction device with two separate distractors is used, then both sides of the mandible can be distracted, but surgical time and surgical armamentarium costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction capability on both sides of mandibleVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate distraction devices into one integrated bilateral device with a single activation bar that can be inserted through the body and received by a receiver on the opposing side. This allows both sides of the mandible to be distracted simultaneously through a single surgical procedure and single activation sequence, thereby reducing surgical time and the number of surgical instruments required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If screws are affixed directly through the body of the distractor to the edge of the lower border of the rabbit's mandible, then attachment can be achieved, but the divergent mandible structure leads to unstable distractor positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capability to mandibleVSAvoidstability of distractor positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the attachment function into two separate receivers, one for each side of the mandible, with each receiver independently attachable to the mandible. This segmentation allows each receiver to be optimally positioned and secured to the divergent mandibular structures, improving overall stability. The activation bar connects these two separate receivers, providing a stable framework that accommodates the divergent mandible geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces receivers as intermediary components between the activation bar and the mandible. Each receiver is receivable by the activation bar and is independently attachable to the mandible, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the linear activation bar and the divergent mandibular structures, thereby ensuring stable positioning despite the mandible's divergence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 comfortable and efficient distraction osteogenesis by allowing simultaneous activation of both mandible sides, reducing surgical time and discomfort, and providing stable attachment to rabbit mandibles, minimizing protrusion and interference.

Implementation Method 1

The activation bar includes a threaded portion and a smooth portion. The activation bar can be disposed within the body such that the threaded portion of the bar is threaded to the interior wall of the anterior plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS9622801B1Mandibular distractor device

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 KING SAUD UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A mandibular distractor device is configured for attachment to opposing sides of a mandible, e.g., a rabbit's mandible, for performing distraction osteogenesis. The distractor device includes a distractor body and an activation bar that extends through the distractor body. The activation bar can be disposed within the body such that a threaded portion of the bar is threaded to an interior wall of the anterior plate, while a smooth portion of the bar extends within the posterior plate. Once the distractor is secured to the mandible, the activation bar can be rotated incrementally to incrementally disengage the threaded portion of the activation bar from the threaded interior wall of the anterior plate. Rotation of the activation bar in this manner incrementally moves the anterior plate anteriorly within the rabbit's mouth, while the posterior plate remains in position.