Bone Reduction Instrument With Interchangeable Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plate reduction instruments are fixedly coupled to bone fasteners, requiring removal of the fastener to decouple, and need specialized openings in the bone plate, limiting flexibility and accuracy in bone fragment manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate reduction instrument with pivotable handles and interchangeable tips, featuring a threaded mechanism and force sensor for controlled force application, allowing decoupling from bone fasteners without removal and using standard fastener holes, enabling precise manipulation and force measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional forceps are fixedly coupled to the bone fastener, then the instrument provides stable and reliable force application, but the instrument cannot be decoupled from the bone fragment without removing the bone fastener
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps is divided into separate modular components: the main forceps body and interchangeable tips. The tip is the segment that couples to the bone fastener, while the forceps body remains controllable by the surgeon. This segmentation allows the tip to be decoupled from the bone fastener independently, enabling instrument reconfiguration without removing the fastener itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism between the tip and bone fastener is designed to be dynamically adjustable. The tip can be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the bone fastener during the surgical procedure, transitioning from a fixed to a flexible coupling state. This dynamic capability allows the surgeon to engage and disengage the instrument from the bone fragment as needed.
2Reliability
If conventional forceps require a dedicated specialized opening in the bone plate, then the instrument can be securely attached to the bone plate, but the bone plate design becomes more complex and requires additional specialized features
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is designed with a universal coupling mechanism that can interface with standard bone plate fastener holes rather than requiring specialized openings. The tip's coupling interface is configured to engage with conventional fastener holes used in bone plates, making the instrument compatible with standard bone plate designs without requiring modifications or specialized features.
3Reliability
If conventional forceps provide fixed coupling to bone fragments, then the instrument maintains consistent force application, but the surgeon cannot quantify the amount of force being applied
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps incorporates a force sensor that provides real-time feedback on the magnitude of force being applied to the bone fragments. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to monitor and quantify the force application, ensuring it remains within appropriate therapeutic ranges while maintaining consistent force delivery throughout 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
Facilitates flexible and precise manipulation of bone fragments with improved force control, reducing the need for specialized openings and allowing quick instrument reconfiguration, enhancing surgical efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded mechanism and force sensor for controlled force application
Implementation Method 2
force sensor for controlled force application, enabling precise manipulation and force measurement
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic instrument for manipulating (e.g., compressing or distracting) one or more patient's bone fragments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the orthopedic instrument includes forceps having first and second arms and first and second handles, respectively. Each arm including a coupling mechanism for selectively engaging removable tips or bell housings. Each tip or bell housing including a first end arranged and configured to mate with a fastener hole or opening formed in a bone plate, a second end arranged and configured to receive a head portion of a bone fastener, and an intermediate portion arranged and configured to couple to the coupling mechanism of the first and second arms. In addition, the orthopedic instrument may include a force sensing mechanism or gauge arranged and configured to measure an amount of force being applied across the bone fracture.