Bone Transport Frame Ring Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
External fixation frames, such as Ilizarov devices, do not allow for significant manipulation of transport rings without disassembling and reassembling the frame, making it difficult for patients to perform daily adjustments and maintain stable fixation.
Innovation Solution
A bone transport frame with first and second rings, elongate struts, and ring transport assemblies that enable rotation and translation of the second ring relative to the first ring, allowing incremental adjustments and easy access to frame adjustment mechanisms, including a quick release mechanism for precise alignment and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional external fixation frames use threaded rods with nuts for adjustment, then stable fixation is achieved, but patient access to adjustment mechanisms is limited and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is relocated from the lateral aspect of the frame to the terminal end of the frame, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows the patient to adjust the frame from the distal end rather than having to access lateral adjustment points, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining fixation stability through the same threaded rod and nut mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If external fixation frames require disassembly and reassembly for ring manipulation, then stable fixation is maintained, but device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows rings to be manipulated along the threaded rods without disassembling the frame. The nuts can be independently adjusted on each rod, enabling ring repositioning while maintaining the assembled state of the frame, thus improving adaptability without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment system is segmented into independent nut-rod-r ring units, where each rod-nut-r ring combination can be adjusted independently. This segmentation allows individual ring manipulation without affecting the overall frame assembly, enabling versatile ring repositioning while keeping the frame structure simple and intact
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manipulating the orientation of a plurality of bone fragments with respect to one another. A bone transport frame including first and second rings, a plurality of elongate struts, and a plurality of ring transport assemblies for orienting a first bone segment with respect to a second bone segment is disclosed. A third ring may be included in the bone transport frame for orienting a third bone segment with respect to the first and second bone segments. Manipulation of an adjustable member of the bone transport frame can transport a ring in either a proximal or distal direction with respect to other rings of the frame. Manipulation of another adjustable member of the bone transport frame can translate a central axis of one of the rings either toward or away from the central axes of the plurality of elongate struts.