Bone Fixation Device with Spring and Spacer for Continuous Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone fusion techniques require multiple surgeries to maintain compression or adjust orthopedic devices, and existing materials like Nitinol are costly and temperature-sensitive, limiting their effectiveness in providing continuous compressive forces for bone healing.

Innovation Solution

A bone fixation device comprising orthopedic structures, a spring, and a spacer that allows for adjustable and reversible compression or tension, enabling continuous compressive forces without additional surgeries, using cost-effective materials like Titanium and absorbable spacers to support bone healing and soft tissue remodeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple surgical openings are created to apply plates and screws for compression, then compression strength is improved, but surgical complexity and patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression strengthVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression force is segmented into multiple independent spring elements distributed along the orthopedic device, allowing compression to be applied at multiple locations simultaneously through a single surgical approach, eliminating the need for multiple surgical openings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spring elements are introduced as intermediary components between the orthopedic structure and the bone, providing continuous compressive force without requiring direct mechanical connection through multiple surgical sites, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining compression strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If compression is applied at the time of surgery only, then initial alignment is improved, but continuous compression during healing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidcompression duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are designed to maintain continuous compressive force on the bone throughout the healing process, providing uninterrupted mechanical stimulation that promotes bone growth and healing, rather than applying compression only temporarily during surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements provide dynamic compression that can adapt to changing conditions during healing, maintaining appropriate compressive forces as the bone heals and swells, ensuring continuous alignment stability without requiring additional surgical interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If Nitinol materials are used for compression, then shape memory and elasticity are improved, but cost and temperature sensitivity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveelasticityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs conventional, cost-effective spring materials instead of expensive Nitinol, accepting that the springs may have limited longevity but providing sufficient functionality for the healing period at a fraction of the cost, making the treatment more accessible and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If absorbable spacers are used to hold orthopedic structures apart, then reversibility is improved, but initial compression force is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression adjustabilityVSAvoidcompressive force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are pre-loaded with compressive force before the absorbable spacer is fully degraded, ensuring that maximum compression is applied during the critical early healing phase, and the compression force increases as the spacer gradually absorbs and releases the stored energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides continuous compressive forces that adjust in vivo as bone heals, eliminating the need for additional surgeries and supporting daily activities with sufficient initial strength, while allowing for controlled compression or tension application throughout the healing process.

Implementation Method 1

a spring disposed between the two orthopedic structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8048134B2Active compression to facilitate healing of bones

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 CONVENTUS ORTHOPAEDICS INC

AI summary

A bone fixation device includes one or more springs and one or more spacers disposed between two orthopedic structures. The orthopedic structures may comprise screws, rods, plates, or any other orthopedic devices configured to engage bone. The spacer may be absorbable or removable, and may serve to constrain the spring in a compressed or stretched state so that, upon absorption or removal of the spacer, the spring may apply tension or compression to surrounding bone. The device may thereby facilitate healing or bone or remodeling of soft tissues.