Bone Fixation Clamping Device with Conical Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for manipulating fractured bones, particularly proximal femoral shaft fractures, require detachment of soft tissue to access and align bone fragments, making them difficult to manage for internal fixation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a hollow body and clamping mechanism that allows bone fixation elements to be inserted without detaching soft tissue, using a conical and cylindrical cavity design with a screw connection and lever mechanism to clamp and lock the elements in place, enabling manipulation of bone fragments without penetrating the medullary space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bone alignment device with a bone grappling claw is used, then the bone can be aligned and manipulated, but the soft tissue surrounding the bone must be detached which complicates the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a hollow body with a conical cavity as an intermediary structure that receives fixation elements through a minimal incision. This mediator allows the surgeon to manipulate bone fragments without directly exposing or detaching the soft tissue surrounding the bone, thus resolving the contradiction between bone manipulation capability and soft tissue preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the manipulation function into two parts: the hollow body with conical cavity that interfaces with bone fixation elements, and the external manipulation mechanism. This segmentation allows bone manipulation to be achieved through a minimal incision without requiring detachment of surrounding soft tissue.
2Reliability
If fixation elements are inserted into the medullary space for internal fixation, then proper alignment and fixation can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting fixation elements into the medullary space from the inside out, the invention inverts the approach by receiving the fixation elements through a conical cavity from the external surface. The conical cavity guides the fixation elements into proper alignment without requiring penetration into the medullary space, thus achieving reliable fixation with reduced invasiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the hollow body cavity is made larger to accommodate fixation elements easily, then insertion is simplified, but the device size increases and may interfere with surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a conical cavity shape that tapers from a larger opening to a smaller distal end. This curved geometry allows fixation elements to be inserted easily through the larger opening while the conical walls guide and constrain the elements, preventing lateral movement. The conical shape achieves ease of insertion without requiring a large overall device volume.
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
This solution allows for minimal incisions, avoids detachment of soft tissue, and enables fixation elements to be attached to the bone without entering the medullary space, facilitating internal fixation and bone plate placement without removing the device.
Implementation Method 1
The conical segment may taper from the first end to the second end such that a first dimension at the first end of the conical segment may be greater than a second dimension at the second end of the conical segment
Implementation Method 2
The clamping device may include a screw connection having a sleeve which may be rotated to move the clamping body axially within the cavity
Implementation Method 3
the clamping device may also include a mechanism having a lever for locking the clamping body in a fixed position in the cavity of the hollow body
Data Source
AI summary
A device for clamping fixation elements, which have been inserted into bone, for manipulating fragments of a fractured bone. The device incorporating a hollow body with a cavity having a wall, a clamping body moveable within the cavity between a first position and a second position, and a clamping device operably connected to the clamping body for moving the clamping body between the first position and the second position. The device being sized and configured so that when the clamping body is in the first position a free end of the fixation element(s) may be positioned between the clamping body and the wall of the cavity. Once the fixation element(s) is properly positioned within the cavity, the clamping device may be used to move the clamping body into the cavity, thereby wedging the fixation element(s) between the clamping body and the wall of the cavity. A bone fragment may then be manipulated using the device.