Bone Fixation Device Separation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current internal bone fixation devices face challenges in efficiently separating from introducers, requiring significant force and being inaccessible to a wide range of medical professionals.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a stabilizer to score the proximal end of the bone fixation device and a separator to provide an impact force on the introducer, allowing for minimal force separation using a stabilizer and separator configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional separation methods are used, then the bone fixation device can be separated from the introducer, but significant force is required making it inaccessible to many medical professionals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of separationVSAvoidforce required for separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer scores the proximal end of the bone fixation device before separation, creating a predetermined weakness point. This preliminary action reduces the force needed during subsequent separation by the separator, making the procedure accessible to more medical professionals while maintaining effective separation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If minimal force is used for separation, then the procedure becomes accessible to more medical professionals, but effective separation may not be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to medical professionalsVSAvoidseparation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer creates a scored line at the proximal end of the bone fixation device that serves as a predetermined separation point. This preliminary scoring ensures that when the separator applies minimal impact force, the device will reliably separate at the scored location, combining accessibility with effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizer acts as an intermediary tool that prepares the bone fixation device for separation by creating the scored line. This intermediary action enables the separator to achieve reliable separation with minimal force, bridging the gap between accessibility and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient and accessible separation of the bone fixation device from the introducer, reducing the force required and making the procedure usable by various medical professionals.

Implementation Method 1

a stabilizer configured to slide over an introducer for delivery of a bone fixation device to a bone cavity, the stabilizer being further configured to score a proximal end of the bone fixation device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScoring: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a separator configured to engage the introducer and to provide an impact to the introducer to separate the introducer from the bone fixation device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS8939977B2Systems and methods for separating bone fixation devices from introducer

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 ILLUMINOSS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer are disclosed. In some embodiments, a separation system includes a stabilizer configured to slide over an introducer for delivery of a bone fixation device to a bone cavity, the stabilizer being further configured to score a proximal end of the bone fixation device; and a separator configured to engage the introducer and to provide an impact to the introducer to separate the introducer from the bone fixation device.