Bone Repair Eyelet with Threaded Shaft for Suture Twist Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing the anatomically correct position of the scapula and clavicula after injury often result in significant damage to soft tissues and complications such as dislocation, bone weakening, or suture twisting during the bone repair process.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece bone repair eyelet with a hollow shaft, two rods extending to a central ring, and an outer thread, allowing for rotational insertion without suture twisting, along with a screw driver design that engages the eyelet's rods to prevent suture twisting, minimizes soft tissue damage and enhances anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a percutaneous Kirschner wire is introduced through the acromion into the clavicula, then the bones can be connected, but the connecting rod may dislocate and surgical exposure of the joint is required for cerclage fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into two separate components: a bone anchor fixed to the scapula and a bone eyelet fixed to the clavicula, connected by a suture. This segmentation allows independent fixation of each bone without requiring extensive surgical exposure of the joint, while maintaining stable connection through the suture bridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture acts as an intermediary element connecting the bone anchor and bone eyelet. This intermediary allows the fixation device to be assembled and fixed without direct surgical exposure of the acromioclavicular joint, reducing surgical complexity while maintaining connection stability.
2Reliability
If a Bosworth screw is screwed through the clavicula into the processus coracoideus, then the bones can be fixed, but the bone is weakened due to the large diameter of the screw and secondary loosening may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bone anchor features a localized expansion element at its distal end that distributes the fixation force over a larger area of the processus coracoideus. This local quality enhancement provides secure fixation without requiring large-diameter screws that would weaken the clavicula, thereby maintaining bone strength while ensuring fixation stability.
3Reliability
If bone plates are fixed to fix the bones in desired positions, then the relative position is reliably maintained, but damages to surrounding soft tissue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation function is extracted from the traditional bone plate approach and redistributed to minimally invasive anchors. The bone anchor and bone eyelet are inserted through small incisions and fixed directly to the bone surfaces, eliminating the need for extensive soft tissue dissection and bone plate placement, thereby maintaining position reliability while minimizing soft tissue damage.
4Reliability
If chords made of resorbable material are wound around the processus coracoideus and clavicula, then the desired relative position is maintained, but extensive exposure with mandatory damage to soft tissue is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The suture acts as an intermediary connecting the bone anchor and bone eyelet, allowing the fixation device to be assembled and fixed through minimal incisions. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for extensive surgical exposure required by traditional chord wrapping methods, while maintaining the ability to control and maintain the relative position of the bones.
5Reliability
If a bone anchor with suture is used, then fixation can be achieved, but substantial exposure of the clavicula is required which is inconvenient for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into a bone anchor fixed to the scapula and a bone eyelet fixed to the clavicula, connected by a suture. This segmentation allows the bone anchor to be fixed through a small incision in the scapula region, eliminating the need for substantial clavicula exposure, thereby maintaining fixation capability while significantly reducing surgical exposure extent and improving patient convenience.
6Device complexity
If the eyelet is introduced into the bone through axial movement only, then the structure is simple, but rotational introduction causes the sutures to get twisted
Solution Approach 1:
The bone eyelet is designed with a threaded outer surface that enables rotational movement during insertion. This dynamic insertion mechanism allows the eyelet to be screwed into the clavicula in a controlled rotational motion, preventing suture twisting while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The threading provides a straightforward insertion path that guides the surgeon through 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
The solution enables secure fixation of bones with reduced soft tissue damage and improved handling for surgeons, maintaining anatomically correct positions during healing while preventing suture twisting and providing effective anchoring.
Implementation Method 1
The outer wall of the hollow shaft is provided with a thread. This allows the surgeon to screw the eyelet into the bone without twisting the sutures, thus making handling more comfortable for the surgeon, while the thread provides for a better anchoring of the eyelet in the bone.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A bone repair eyelet (1) comprises a single piece that has a hollow shaft (10), a supporting edge (15) and two rods (11) extending from the inner wall of the hollow shaft (10) to a ring (13) having an opening (12) located in the center of the shaft (10). The opening (12) extends in the longitudinal direction (A) of the shaft (10). Thus, the hollow shaft is divided into three passages which are separated from one another.