Orthopedic Bone Fixation Using Shape Memory Implant Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic fixation systems face challenges in achieving precise desired orientation of bone pieces during implantation, particularly with small bones, leading to inadequate fixation and healing outcomes.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic fixation system comprising implants with unconstrained and constrained shapes, drill guides, K-wires, cannulated drill bits, sizing guides, and tamps, which facilitate precise anatomical alignment and hole drilling to ensure proper implant placement and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual holding of bone pieces is used during drilling, then the surgeon can maintain orientation, but precise desired orientation is difficult to achieve especially with small bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device as an intermediary tool between the surgeon's hands and the bone pieces. This device includes clamps, guides, and alignment mechanisms that mechanically hold and position the bone pieces at precise angles during drilling operations, eliminating the imprecision of manual holding while maintaining surgical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is divided into multiple functional components including separate clamps for each bone piece, individual angle adjustment mechanisms, and modular guides. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve precise overall positioning of small bone pieces.
2Manufacturing precision
If the surgeon manually holds bone pieces during drilling, then operation is simple, but inadequate placement of implant occurs leading to suboptimal fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between simple manual operation and precise implant placement. It provides mechanical guidance and stabilization during the drilling and implantation process, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring complex surgical techniques or multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is configured to pre-establish the correct anatomical alignment and drilling angles before the actual implantation occurs. By setting the precise orientation in advance through adjustable clamps and guides, the device ensures that subsequent implant placement automatically achieves optimal positioning, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments.
3Reliability
If precise orientation of bone pieces is not achieved during drilling, then drilling holes can be completed, but inadequate placement of implant results
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device establishes the correct anatomical alignment and drilling trajectory before any holes are drilled or implants are placed. By pre-positioning the bone pieces and securing them in the optimal orientation using clamps and guides, the device ensures that the first drilling and implantation actions are correctly positioned, eliminating the need for time-consuming repositioning and verification during the procedure.
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 system enables precise alignment and fixation of bone pieces, enhancing the effectiveness of orthopedic implantation by ensuring correct anatomical positioning and stable implantation of implants, thereby improving healing outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The implant, which typically is formed from a shape memory or superelastic material (e.g., Nitinol), includes a natural unconstrained shape and further deforms to store energy and transition to an insertion shape
Implementation Method 2
The implant, which typically is formed from a shape memory or superelastic material (e.g., Nitinol), includes a natural unconstrained shape and further deforms to store energy and transition to an insertion shape
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic fixation system fuses bone, bones, or bone pieces in a predetermined anatomical position. The orthopedic fixation system includes an implant that transitions between an unconstrained shape and a constrained insertion shape, a drill guide, first and second K-wires, and a cannulated drill bit. The drill guide and the first and second K-wires retain the bone, bones, or bone pieces in an anatomical position corresponding with the predetermined anatomical position. The cannulated drill bit fits over the first and second K-wires and drills, respectively, first and second drilled holes into the bone, bones, or bone pieces. After insertion of the implant into the first and second drilled holes, the implant attempts to transition from its constrained insertion shape to its unconstrained shape such that the implant continuously compresses the bone, bones, or bone pieces thereby holding the bone, bones, or bone pieces in the predetermined anatomical position.