Crimping Apparatus for Bone Cable Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical tools and procedures for securing damaged skeletal tissue or soft tissue using cables or sutures are time-consuming and complex, requiring multiple in-situ steps that are difficult to perform effectively for fracture reduction, fracture fixation, and crack propagation prevention.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a crimp body, an elongate shaft, and a neck with a central passage that allows a cable to be tensioned and secured through bone, featuring a collapsible crimp body and a locking mechanism, such as a collet member, to maintain adjustable tension and facilitate efficient fracture reduction and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tools and procedures are used to secure cables through bone, then the cable can be secured to hold bone fragments in place, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex with multiple difficult in-situ steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable tensioning device, crimping mechanism, and locking system into a single integrated apparatus. The elongate shaft integrates the crimp body positioning mechanism, cable tensioning system with collet member, and cutting mechanism, allowing multiple functions to be performed through one device rather than multiple separate tools and steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs multiple functions: positioning the crimp body, tensioning the cable to adjustable levels, locking the cable in place, and cutting excess cable. The elongate shaft serves as a universal platform that can perform all these operations in sequence, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools and simplifying the overall procedure.
2Reliability
If conventional tools and procedures are used to secure cables through bone, then the cable can be tensioned and locked, but the procedure becomes time-consuming requiring multiple in-situ steps
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus allows the cable to be pre-tensioned to a specific force level before final locking occurs. The collet member can be adjusted to the desired tension level in advance, and once positioned, the cable is locked at that predetermined tension. This eliminates the need for iterative adjustment and re-checking during the procedure, saving time while maintaining reliable tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting mechanism is integrated into the apparatus and automatically positions itself to cut the cable at the correct location after tensioning and locking. The system performs the cutting action as part of its own operation sequence without requiring separate manual intervention, reducing procedure time while ensuring proper cable length and secure tension maintenance.
3Reliability
If conventional tools and procedures are used to secure cables through bone, then the fracture can be reduced and fixed, but the procedure becomes difficult to perform effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate shaft serves as an intermediary tool that mediates between the surgeon's actions and the bone/cable system. It provides a controlled interface for applying force, positioning components, and executing the fixation procedure. The shaft transmits and controls the application of tension and crimping forces, making the procedure easier to perform effectively by providing a mechanical intermediary that ensures proper force application and component positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for crimping a cable, the apparatus including a crimp body, an elongate shaft, a neck coupling and interposed between the crimp body and the elongate shaft, and a central passage extending through the crimp body, neck, and elongate shaft. The cross-sectional dimension of the central passage is at least large enough to receive the cable.