Bone Fixation Device with Enclosing Unit for Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone fixation devices face issues such as jamming due to crushed cancellous bone fragments, inadequate control over medical filler distribution, and insufficient support for bones with higher toughness, leading to ineffective bone propping and potential filler leakage or spreading.
Innovation Solution
A device with an enclosing unit to prevent bone fragments from jamming and an expanding unit with multiple structures that can adjust rib length and arrangement to provide customizable support, allowing for controlled filler distribution and full enclosure of the expanding unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical-type cavity expansion device is used to expand the bone cavity, then the cavity can be created, but crushed cancellous bone fragments fall into and jam the device components, preventing retrieval and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a covering device as an intermediary component that surrounds the cavity expansion device. This covering device prevents bone fragments from directly contacting and jamming the expansion device components, while still allowing the expansion function to work effectively. The covering device acts as a protective barrier between the harmful bone fragments and the vulnerable mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering device is designed as a flexible structure that can adapt to the expanding and contracting movements of the cavity expansion device. This flexible shell allows the covering device to maintain its protective function throughout the expansion process while accommodating the dynamic changes in cavity size.
2Reliability
If a filling-type cavity expansion device with balloon is used, then the cavity can be expanded by pushing cancellous bone, but the balloon may detach from the nozzle or rupture during high-pressure filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the balloon-based expansion mechanism with a mechanical-type cavity expansion device that uses controlled mechanical forces to expand the cavity. This substitution eliminates the risks associated with high-pressure liquid filling, such as balloon detachment and rupture, while achieving the same cavity expansion effect through mechanical means.
3Device complexity
If no cavity expansion is performed and a covering device is placed directly into the bone, then the procedure is simplified, but the medical filler cannot be controlled accurately and may spread or seep out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cavity expansion as a preliminary action before placing the covering device and injecting medical filler. By expanding the cavity first, the device creates a defined space that confines the medical filler, ensuring precise placement and preventing uncontrolled spreading or seepage. This preliminary expansion step establishes the boundaries for subsequent filler injection.
4Ease of operation
If the medical filler concentration is too dilute or particles are too small, then injection is easier, but the filler cannot properly support the bones, compromising surgical effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the parameters of the medical filler, including concentration and particle size, to optimize both injectability and bone support capability. By adjusting these parameters within appropriate ranges, the device achieves a balance between ease of injection and effective bone support, ensuring both operational convenience and surgical effectiveness.
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 device effectively prevents jamming, ensures controlled filler distribution, and provides reliable support for bones of varying toughness by adjusting the expanding unit's configuration, maintaining the expanded state and preventing filler leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an expanding unit (100) having a first end (115) and a second end (120), and including two or more expanding structures (110) capable of switching between an expanded state and a contracted state
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present invention provides a device for bone fixation that includes: an expanding unit and an enclosing unit. The expanding unit includes two or more expanding structures capable of switching between an expanded state and a contracted state. The expanding unit includes a first expanding structure located near a first end thereof and a second expanding structure located near a second end thereof. The enclosing unit encloses the expanding unit and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the enclosing unit is secured at the first end of the expanding unit, and the second end of the enclosing unit is secured at the second end of the expanding unit. When the device for bone fixation is placed inside a bone, the expanding structures of the expanding unit are switched to the expanding state and thereby propping up the enclosing unit.