Bone Screw with Occluding Pin for Selective Cement Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for stabilizing bone fractures, particularly in osteoporotic patients, face challenges in efficiently delivering high viscosity bone cement to all areas of the fracture site due to fluid flow issues through proximal holes, leading to incomplete stabilization and regeneration.
Innovation Solution
A device with a screw featuring a longitudinal channel and strategically arranged holes/slots along its threaded body, combined with a pin for closure and an injector system, allows for selective and targeted delivery of bone cement and regenerative substances, ensuring accurate distribution and enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bone cement is injected through proximal holes in conventional screws, then the injection process is simple, but the fluid flows out through proximal holes first due to physical laws, making it difficult to reach farthest holes especially with high viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional injection approach by introducing a pin that occludes proximal holes and forces fluid to exit through distal holes first. This reversal of flow direction ensures that high viscosity bone cement reaches the farthest holes effectively, solving the problem of uneven fluid distribution while maintaining operational simplicity
2Device complexity
If conventional screws with through holes are used for bone cement injection, then the structure is simple, but the stabilization of fractures or porous bone tissue is complex and not entirely efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the screw structure into distinct functional components: a cannulated screw body with through holes, and a separate pin with occlusion elements. This segmentation allows the pin to control fluid flow selectively, ensuring reliable fracture stabilization by directing bone cement to where it is most needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the injection system and the bone cement flow. By introducing this intermediate element, the patent enables precise control over fluid distribution, improving stabilization efficiency without significantly complicating the overall device structure
3Strength
If high viscosity bone cement is used for stabilization, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the fluid flow through holes becomes difficult reaching the farthest holes
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the flow direction to exit through distal holes first, the patent enables high viscosity bone cement to flow efficiently to the farthest holes. This inversion overcomes the resistance posed by high viscosity while maintaining the mechanical strength benefits of using thick bone cement
Data Source
AI summary
Device for selective biological synthesis of a bone tissue including a screw for the stabilization of a fracture or of a porotic bone tissue, wherein said screw is arranged along an axis (X), substantially longitudinal with respect to said screw, and it is constituted by an extended body, from a first end or tip and from a second end or head, wherein at least said extended body and said second end or head include a longitudinal channel, wherein said extended body has at least one hole or slot, wherein said device includes a pin inserted into the longitudinal channel and provided with means for releasable connection with said screw, for reinforcing the device and for the releasable closure thereof.