Bone Pin Vertebral Fracture Fixation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating vertebral compression fractures, such as using inflatable balloon-like devices, face challenges in controlling expansion and achieving consistent height restoration due to the structural orientation of trabecular bone and the path of least resistance, leading to unpredictable and often inadequate fracture reduction.
Innovation Solution
The use of bone pins inserted through a pedicle opening, with cannulated eyelets and angulated cannulas, allows for precise manipulation and immobilization of fractured vertebrae segments, enabling controlled distraction and support of the vertebral body, potentially restoring its original height and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inflatable balloon-like devices are used to treat vertebral compression fractures, then the bone cavity can be enlarged and fracture reduction can be achieved, but the expansion is difficult to control and occurs along the path of least resistance, leading to inconsistent height restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a balloon catheter with a flexible membrane that can be inflated within the vertebral body. The balloon's flexible shell allows it to expand and interact with the trabecular bone structure, enabling controlled fracture reduction through incremental inflation while adapting to the internal bone architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled changes in inflation pressure and volume of the balloon catheter to achieve progressive fracture reduction. By adjusting these parameters incrementally, the surgeon can control the expansion process and achieve consistent height restoration without the balloon expanding uncontrollably along the path of least resistance.
2Manufacturing precision
If balloon expansion is used to restore vertebral height, then fracture reduction can be achieved, but the structural orientation of trabecular bone causes unpredictable expansion directions and inadequate fracture reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible balloon membrane conforms to the internal vertebral geometry and trabecular bone orientation, allowing controlled expansion in multiple directions simultaneously rather than following a single path of least resistance. This flexibility enables predictable and accurate fracture reduction despite the complex internal bone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic inflation process where the balloon can be inflated incrementally and repositioned if needed. This dynamic approach allows the surgeon to adapt to the actual bone structure encountered and achieve reliable fracture reduction by adjusting the expansion process in real-time based on resistance patterns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive methods are used to treat vertebral fractures, then surgical trauma is reduced, but achieving consistent height restoration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a percutaneously inserted balloon catheter that is inflated with fluid or gas to achieve fracture reduction. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach allows minimally invasive access through a small needle tract while delivering controlled expansion forces to restore vertebral height consistently, combining the benefits of minimal trauma with reliable outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The minimally invasive balloon catheter system allows precise control of expansion parameters (pressure, volume, duration) through the small access tract. By carefully managing these parameters, the system achieves consistent height restoration without requiring open surgical exposure, thereby maintaining minimal surgical trauma while improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed to devices and methods for treating vertebral fractures with one or more bone pins. In one embodiment of a method, a fractured vertebral body may be accessed through a pedicle portion and an opening may be created therethrough. One or more bone pins may be inserted through the opening. In one embodiment, at least one of the inserted bone pins is inserted to extend across a fracture zone with a proximal portion of the pin engaging a first bone segment and a distal portion engaging a second bone segment. The pin or pins may be manipulated to immobilize the first and second portions of the fractured vertebra.