External Bone Fixation Device with Adjustable Strut System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current external bone fixation devices lack efficient mechanisms for precise adjustment and stabilization of bone segments during fracture healing, which can hinder the bone repair process due to limited adjustability and stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an external bone fixation device with a strut system that includes a threaded rod, sleeve, actuator, and locking mechanism, allowing for precise translation and rotation of bone fixation members along a strut axis, enabling gradual distraction or compression to facilitate bone healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a simple fixation device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment precision and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into multiple functional segments: a fixation member with threading elements for bone attachment, a strut for structural support, and an actuator mechanism for adjustment. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing precise adjustment while maintaining overall device manageability. The threaded rod and nut assembly enables controlled movement along the strut axis, providing precision without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the actuator mechanism that can move the threaded rod along the strut axis. This allows the device to transition between fixed and adjustable states, providing precision when needed while maintaining simplicity during fixation. The locking mechanism enables the system to switch between dynamic adjustment mode and static stabilization mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanism is added, then adaptability is improved, but stability during healing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism provides dynamic adjustability during the healing process, allowing the device to adapt to changing bone conditions. The threaded rod can be moved along the strut axis to adjust the spacing between fixation points, enabling gradual distraction or compression as needed for bone healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism extracts the adjustment function from the overall structure, providing a dedicated subsystem that can be engaged or disengaged. When locking is activated, the adjustment mechanism is isolated, ensuring stability during the healing phase. This separation allows the device to maintain adjustability when needed while ensuring stability during healing without compromise.
3Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanism is added, then stability is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage automatically when the actuator reaches certain positions during adjustment. This self-locking feature provides stability without requiring additional manual operations, maintaining ease of use while ensuring secure fixation during the healing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates in periodic cycles, engaging and disengaging at predetermined adjustment intervals. This allows the device to maintain ease of operation through simple periodic locking actions while providing stable fixation during the healing phase. The periodic engagement ensures stability is achieved without complex continuous locking systems.
4Measurement precision
If threaded rod and sleeve mechanism is used, then translation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation mechanism is segmented into distinct components: a threaded rod with external threading, a sleeve with internal threading, and an actuator. Each component performs a specific function in the translation process, enabling precise control of the rod's movement along the strut axis while keeping the overall mechanism manageable and not excessively complex.
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 provides enhanced adjustability and stability, allowing for controlled bone alignment and healing, improving the effectiveness of bone repair by enabling precise adjustments and maintaining stability during the healing process.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator is threadedly attached to the threaded rod such that rotation of the actuator relative to the rod about the strut axis translates at least one or both of the rod and the sleeve relative to the other
Implementation Method 2
the locking mechanism includes a locked configuration in which the actuator is prevented from adjusting the length
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses embodiments related to an external bone fixation device configured to correct bone deformities or repair bone injuries. The device can include a plurality of bases configured to be attached to portions of a bone and a plurality of struts configured to be adjustable in length to change the position and orientation of the plurality of bases and the attached bone portions.