Intramedullary Bone Adjustment with Automated Anchoring Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone adjustment technologies, such as external and internal mechanical fixtures, face challenges including daily manual adjustment needs, pain, psychological discomfort, and complications like pin site infections and bulkiness, which hinder effective and comfortable bone healing and lengthening processes.

Innovation Solution

An implanted device with anchoring devices and a hydraulic or mechanical adjustment mechanism that allows for intramedullary bone adjustment, featuring a control system for incremental changes and stabilization, enabling oscillating or intermittent forces without manual intervention, and minimizing external components for aesthetic and practical benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external mechanical fixtures like Ilizarov apparatus or Taylor Spatial Frame are used for bone adjustment, then bone lengthening and reshaping can be achieved, but the devices require daily manual adjustment, cause pain, create psychological discomfort, and lead to complications like pin site infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone healing effectivenessVSAvoidmanual adjustment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by implementing an automated control system that performs bone adjustment without requiring manual intervention. The control system automatically controls the adjustment mechanism to modify the distance between anchoring devices based on pre-programmed parameters, eliminating the need for daily manual adjustments by patients and reducing associated pain and complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. This substitution transforms the purely mechanical external fixation system into an intelligent system that can autonomously perform adjustments, thereby eliminating the harmful aspects of manual operation while maintaining the bone lengthening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If external mechanical fixtures are used for bone adjustment, then bone lengthening can be achieved, but the devices create bulkiness and aesthetic concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone lengthening effectivenessVSAvoidexternal device bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the adjustment mechanism and control system inside the patient's body rather than externally. The anchoring devices are positioned within the bone structure, and the adjustment mechanism operates internally, eliminating the need for large external frames and reducing the visible volume of the device to minimal skin penetrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the adjustment mechanism from an external three-dimensional structure to an internal system that operates within the bone's anatomical space. By moving the bulk of the device into the body's internal dimensions, the external footprint is dramatically reduced, addressing aesthetic concerns while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If external mechanical fixtures are used for bone adjustment, then bone deformity correction can be achieved, but the treatment process takes 3-4 weeks for correction plus 3-6 months for healing with the frame remaining on

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformity correction effectivenessVSAvoidtotal treatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the adjustment parameters and treatment protocol before implantation. The control system is configured with the desired bone position and adjustment schedule in advance, allowing the device to automatically execute the correction sequence without requiring multiple hospital visits or manual adjustments during the 3-4 week correction phase, thereby streamlining the overall treatment timeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The implanted device reduces the need for manual adjustment, minimizes pain and external bulk, promotes comfortable healing, and allows for efficient bone lengthening and reshaping with reduced complications, enhancing patient experience and recovery.

Implementation Method 1

The adjustment device is a hydraulic device for adjusting the distance between the anchoring devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12114903B2Method for bone adjustment with anchoring function

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 FORSELL PETER

AI summary

A method and a device for bone adjustment in a mammal is presented, wherein a device is implanted in the medullar cavity of a bone in the body of said mammal, said device being a device exerting a force to anchoring devices anchored in said bone. The method and device has utility in therapeutic and cosmetic bone adjustments, including the lengthening, reshaping and realigning of bones, for example in the correction of congenital deformations, restorative orthopaedic surgery and the like.