Bone Nail Apparatus with Optical Focalization for Through-Hole Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone nail apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the location of through-holes post-implantation due to light refraction and scattering through the bone and skin, resulting in low precision for fixing the bone nail in place.
Innovation Solution
A bone nail apparatus incorporating a light source unit with light transmission tubes and a focalizing unit, including a concave lens and filtering unit, to focus and filter light, allowing for precise localization of through-holes by forming a focal point on the skin surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-emitting element is provided with the bone nail to indicate through-hole locations, then the visibility of through-hole positions is improved, but the accuracy of determining through-hole locations deteriorates due to light refraction and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
A focalizing unit (concave lens) is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the observer's eye. This concave lens focuses the scattered light rays from the through-holes into concentrated focal points on the skin surface, serving as a mediator that transforms the dispersed light information into precise positional indicators without requiring direct line-of-sight through the bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the light transmission system by introducing a concave lens with specific focal length and curvature. This transforms the light propagation path from a scattered, diffuse pattern into a focused, concentrated beam that precisely marks the through-hole locations on the skin surface, improving measurement precision while maintaining visibility.
2Measurement precision
If light is emitted through the bone and skin to locate through-holes, then the positioning capability is improved, but the light transmission accuracy deteriorates due to refraction and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The concave lens acts as an intermediary that captures the scattered light rays passing through the bone and skin, and transforms them into focused beams. This intermediary device compensates for the refraction and scattering effects by optically reconstructing the light path, ensuring reliable and accurate light transmission from the through-holes to the skin surface markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical/visual inspection method with an optical system that uses light transmission and focalization. Instead of relying on direct viewing through the bone (which is impossible) or simple surface markers, the system uses optical principles to transmit positional information through the bone and skin, achieving more reliable and precise positioning.
3Device complexity
If conventional light emission is used without focalizing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of through-hole positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bone nail apparatus is segmented into distinct functional modules: the bone nail with through-holes, the light source unit with light transmission tubes, and the focalizing unit with concave lens. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while keeping the overall design relatively simple and modular, adding precision without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The concave lens is introduced as a simple intermediary component that significantly boosts measurement precision. Rather than creating a complex imaging system or using sophisticated sensors, the patent uses a simple focalizing lens to concentrate light rays into precise focal points on the skin surface, achieving high accuracy with minimal added complexity.
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 solution enhances the accuracy of determining through-hole positions, enabling more precise placement of screws and improved fixation of the bone nail, reducing the risk of surgical errors and improving operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one light transmission tube is connected to the light emitter and receives a light therefrom
Implementation Method 2
The focalizing unit has a light-receiving face facing one of the at least one through hole
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the light will be refracted or scattered as the light emits through the bone and the skin
Implementation Method 4
A bone nail apparatus incorporating a light source unit with light transmission tubes and a focalizing unit, including a concave lens and filtering unit
Data Source
AI summary
A bone nail apparatus includes a bone nail, a light source unit and a focalizing unit. The bone nail has a tube wall and at least one through hole. The tube wall is enclosed to form a receiving space. The at least one through hole extends through the tube wall and communicates with the receiving space. The light source unit includes a light emitter and at least one light transmission tube. The at least one light transmission tube is connected to the light emitter and receives a light therefrom. The at least one light transmission tube is received in the receiving space of the bone nail. Each light transmission tube has a light-outputting end aligned with a respective one of the at least one through hole. The focalizing unit has a light-receiving face facing one of the at least one through hole.