Bone Clip Resilient Arm for Balanced Fracture Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone clips do not apply compression uniformly along a fracture, resulting in uneven distal and proximal compression forces, which can hinder effective bone stabilization and healing.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a resilient arm or spring member projecting from the bone clip's legs or bridge, allowing for a staple member with a bridge connecting two legs, where the resilient arm is inwardly adjacent and spaced from the upper region of the leg, providing balanced proximal and distal compression by elastic deformation during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a bone clip uses legs extending along convergent paths from a bridge, then the clip can be installed in pre-drilled holes and apply compression across a fracture, but the compression is uneven with significantly greater distal compression than proximal compression
Solution Approach 1:
The bone clip is divided into multiple functional segments: a bridge portion and multiple leg portions (first leg, second leg, third leg, fourth leg) that can be independently configured. Each leg portion can have different orientations and lengths, allowing differential compression forces to be applied at different locations along the fracture. This segmentation enables the clip to provide both distal compression (through the first and second legs) and proximal compression (through the third and fourth legs), resolving the uneven compression problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bone clip are designed with different geometric properties to achieve local quality variations. The leg portions have different orientations relative to the bridge: the first and second legs extend at angles to provide distal compression, while the third and fourth legs are positioned to provide proximal compression. This local differentiation of geometric properties allows each region of the clip to apply compression forces tailored to the specific needs of different fracture locations.
2Reliability
If the legs are positioned to maximize distal compression, then fracture stabilization is improved, but proximal compression is insufficient creating a residual gap
Solution Approach 1:
The clip structure is segmented into distinct leg portions that can be independently optimized for different compression needs. The first and second legs are configured for distal compression while the third and fourth legs are configured for proximal compression, allowing both regions to achieve adequate stabilization without compromising complete fracture apposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement of leg portions. The legs are positioned at different angles and orientations in three-dimensional space, allowing them to apply compression forces in multiple directions simultaneously. This dimensional expansion enables the clip to address both proximal and distal fracture regions effectively.
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 solution ensures more uniform compression along the fracture, maintaining stability and facilitating healing by dynamically adjusting to bone resorption, thereby enhancing the bone stabilization process.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient arm may be elastically deformable, which allows the resilient arm to be compressed toward the first leg
Implementation Method 2
Clip 20 acts as a spring clamp, with legs 30 as jaws. The legs urge bone fragments 26, 28 toward one another as energy stored in the stressed configuration of clip 20 is released, to apply compression across fracture 24.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for stabilizing bone. The devices and methods may provide a more balanced proximal and distal compression when stabilizing bone. An exemplary device may comprise a staple member including a bridge connecting a first leg to a second leg. The device also may comprise a resilient arm elongated between a fixed end and a free end, and projecting from the first leg and/or from an end region of the bridge adjoining the first leg. At least a portion of the resilient arm intermediate the fixed and free ends may be inwardly adjacent and spaced from an upper region of the first leg.