Bone Compression Assembly With Adjustable Sustained Fusion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fusion devices for foot and ankle surgeries are complex, costly, and unsuitable for small bones due to their lengthy structure and reliance on shape memory alloys, failing to provide sustained compression under varying loads.
Innovation Solution
A bone compression device with a primary and secondary body, allowing adjustable compression through a guide pin and slot mechanism, eliminating the need for shape memory alloys, and enabling adjustment of compression force post-insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If shape memory alloy (nitinol) material is used to maintain tension between bone parts, then sustained compression is provided during extended time period, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the shape memory alloy component from the device, replacing it with a simple compression spring and adjustable locking mechanism. This eliminates the complex material requirements while maintaining the sustained compression function through mechanical means alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard compression springs and locking mechanisms instead of expensive shape memory alloys. These conventional components achieve the same functional outcome without the high manufacturing costs associated with nitinol materials.
2Duration of action of moving object
If shape memory alloy (nitinol) material is used to maintain tension between bone parts, then sustained compression is provided during extended time period, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard compression springs and locking mechanisms instead of expensive shape memory alloys. These conventional components achieve the same functional outcome without the high manufacturing costs associated with nitinol materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the shape memory alloy component from the device, replacing it with a simple compression spring and adjustable locking mechanism. This eliminates the complex material requirements while maintaining the sustained compression function through mechanical means alone.
3Duration of action of moving object
If complex structure with pre-loaded assembly is used, then sustained compression is maintained, but device length increases making it unsuitable for small bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into modular segments including a compression spring section, locking mechanism, and adjustment components. This segmentation allows for a more compact overall structure that can be adapted to small bone dimensions while maintaining the sustained compression function through the spring's progressive engagement with the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism that can be adjusted post-insertion to maintain optimal compression force. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for long pre-loaded assemblies, as the compression force can be optimized in situ, reducing the overall device length required for small bone applications.
4Force
If fixed compression force is applied during bone fusion, then initial compression is provided, but adjustment capability is lost as bone parts move towards each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism that can be adjusted post-insertion to maintain optimal compression force. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for long pre-loaded assemblies, as the compression force can be optimized in situ, reducing the overall device length required for small bone applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the compression force can be monitored and adjusted through the locking mechanism. This allows the compression force to be optimized as bone parts move during the fusion process, maintaining effective compression without requiring excessive initial force that would necessitate longer device structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Bone compression device with a primary body (2) having a primary bone fixation pin assembly (4, 5) extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis (A), and a secondary body (3) having a secondary bone fixation pin assembly (6, 7) extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis (A). The secondary body (3) is positioned in the inner bore (2a) and moveable with respect to the primary body (2) over an adjustment range. The primary body (2) comprises a guide pin (8) and the secondary body (3) comprises a guide slot (9) having an inner guide slot (9a), the guide pin (8) extending through the guide slot (9) and in contact with the inner guide slot (9a) during operation. An adjustment assembly (10) is provided which is connected to the primary body (2) and secondary body (3) for mutual adjustment thereof along the longitudinal axis (A).