Bone Fixation Device with Angle Locking Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fixation devices cannot be precisely aligned before being fixed to the bone, leading to challenges in adapting to the anatomical conditions and fracture structure, which increases surgical complexity and risk of errors.

Innovation Solution

A fixation device with clamping elements that can be pre-aligned at a predetermined angle using imaging methods, allowing for modular configuration and secure locking via an angle locking sleeve with internal and external toothing, enabling precise angular stabilization and assembly before the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bone fixation devices are used to form a modular fixation system, then the system can be adapted to the structure of the fracture and local anatomical conditions, but the devices cannot be positioned in a predetermined relationship to one another before insertion, requiring alignment to occur only after fastener introduction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to fracture structure and anatomical conditionsVSAvoidPositioning precision of clamping elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The angle locking sleeve is inserted into the aligned area of adjacent clamping elements before the fastening means are introduced into the bone. This preliminary action establishes the predetermined angular relationship between clamping elements in advance, allowing precise positioning to be achieved before the actual fixation operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If clamping elements are assembled and aligned during the operation, then adaptation to fracture structure can occur, but this increases operation time and physical stress on the patient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptation to fracture structureVSAvoidOperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping elements are pre-assembled and pre-aligned at a predetermined angle using imaging methods before the operation. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity and time required during the actual surgical procedure, allowing the surgeon to simply insert the pre-configured fixation device rather than assembling and aligning components during the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If alignment and assembly are performed during the operation under time pressure, then the fixation can be completed, but the risk of error and injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpeed of fixation completionVSAvoidRisk of error and injury
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device is pre-configured and pre-assembled outside the body under controlled conditions without time pressure. Quality checks can be performed by trained specialists in advance. During the operation, only the insertion step remains, which is simple and carries minimal risk of error, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If complex quality checks are performed during the operation, then assembly accuracy can be verified, but the limited time and space available make this difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly accuracyVSAvoidTime available for quality check
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Complex quality checks and verification of assembly accuracy are performed in advance by trained specialists under controlled conditions with adequate time and resources. The pre-configured fixation device is verified before insertion, eliminating the need for time-consuming quality checks during the surgical operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2861169B1Fixing device for fixing the fracture ends of the bones in a bone fracture
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 HIPP MEDICAL
  • EP2861169B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP2861169B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D
  • EP2861169B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Disclosed is a fixing device for fixing the fracture ends of the bones in a bone fracture, said device having at least two tensioning elements (2a, 2b), each of which has a contoured body that is hollow when viewed from above, has a continuous wall (4) and two receiving sections (6a, 6b) on end faces lying opposite one another. The device also has at least one clamping sleeve and at least two fastening means which can be positioned in the end-face receiving sections (6a, 6b). The at least two tensioning elements (2a, 2b) are positioned in relation to one another in such a way that one receiving section (6a, 6b) of each tensioning element (2a, 2b) is aligned with the respective other receiving section and the clamping sleeve penetrates both sections, coupling the two tensioning elements to one another (2a, 2b). According to the invention, the clamping sleeve is an angle clamping sleeve (15), connected to the at least two tensioning elements (2a, 2b) in such a way that the latter lie in a predetermined angular position in relation to one another.