Bone Alignment Device With Curved Rail Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating foot deformities like bunions and flat feet are not repeatable and adaptable to various clinical situations, often requiring invasive surgeries and stabilization techniques that may not fully address the underlying bone alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A bone displacement system comprising an anchoring portion, a flexing mechanism with a curved rail, and a distal body, allowing for the relative movement of bones to correct deformities by inserting wires and using a wedge and bone plate for stabilization, enabling precise alignment and fixation of bones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surgical methods are used to treat foot deformities, then bone alignment can be corrected, but the procedures are not repeatable and adaptable to various clinical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion with a curved rail, a movable carriage that travels along the rail, separate wire insertion mechanisms, and modular fixation elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptability for different bone alignment scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it provides bone alignment through the curved rail mechanism, stabilization through wire insertion and fixation, and adjustable positioning through the movable carriage. This multi-functionality makes the device adaptable to various clinical situations without requiring multiple separate surgical instruments or procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If invasive surgeries are performed to stabilize bones, then bone alignment can be maintained, but the underlying bone alignment issues are not fully addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rail is pre-configured with the exact geometry needed to achieve proper bone alignment before the surgery begins. The alignment geometry is built into the device structure itself, allowing the surgeon to simply follow the predetermined path rather than having to manually calculate and create the alignment during surgery. This preliminary preparation ensures both stability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's control and the bone positioning. It translates surgical movements along the curved rail into precise bone alignment adjustments, mediating between the stabilization requirement and the alignment precision requirement by providing a controlled, guided movement path.
3Reliability
If multiple bones are moved and stabilized during surgery, then deformity correction is achieved, but the risk of deformity recurrence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines alignment and fixation functions into a single integrated system. The curved rail provides alignment guidance while the movable carriage simultaneously enables wire insertion and stabilization. This merging of functions reduces the need for multiple separate fixation mechanisms and decreases the overall complexity while improving reliability through coordinated action.
4Stability of the object's composition
If complex stabilization techniques are used, then bone position can be maintained, but patient comfort and ease of recovery are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rail structure is self-aligning and self-guiding, requiring minimal manual adjustment by the surgeon. Once the device is positioned, the geometry of the rail automatically guides the bone into the correct alignment and maintains it throughout the procedure. This self-service characteristic reduces surgical complexity and improves ease of operation while maintaining bone position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone displacement system includes an anchoring portion, a flexing mechanism, and a distal body. The anchoring portion has an aperture for receiving a wire to connect the anchoring portion to a proximal bone. The flexing mechanism is connected to the anchoring portion, and has a rail and a holding portion movable on the rail. The rail is curved about a center of rotation located toward a bottom of the flexing mechanism and toward the proximal bone. The distal body is connected to the holding portion. The distal body has an aperture for receiving a wire to connect the distal body to a distal bone. The flexing mechanism is configured to move the distal body relative to the anchoring portion by a movement of the holding portion on the rail and about the center of rotation to flex the first bone relative to the second bone.