Minimally Invasive Pelvic Fixation Using Bowed Subcutaneous Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for unstable pelvic fractures, such as external fixation, are associated with high risks of pin tract infections, patient discomfort, and difficulties in obese patients, while internal fixation is complex and invasive.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive method using internal anterior fixators and posterior iliosacral screws for stabilizing the pelvis, involving pedicle screws and a bowed subcutaneous fixation rod placed in a minimally invasive manner to achieve definitive pelvic stabilization without the drawbacks of external fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external fixation is used to treat unstable pelvic fractures, then the procedure is simple and quick to deploy, but there is high risk of pin tract infections and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixation pins from the external environment and places them internally within the pelvic bone structure. Pedicle screws are inserted through the iliac wings and connected by a subcutaneous rod, eliminating the need for external pins that penetrate through soft tissues and cause infection risks while maintaining the simplicity of the external fixation approach
Solution Approach 2:
The subcutaneous fixation rod is positioned within the subcutaneous tissue layer, nested between the skin surface and the deeper muscular structures. This nesting approach allows the fixation device to remain internally positioned without requiring deep surgical implantation, achieving internal fixation benefits while minimizing surgical complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If external fixation is used to treat unstable pelvic fractures, then the procedure is simple and quick to deploy, but there is general patient discomfort and difficulty fitting obese patients
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is extracted from the external environment and repositioned internally. The subcutaneous rod and pedicle screws create an internal fixation system that eliminates the bulky external frame structure, improving patient comfort and eliminating fitting difficulties for obese patients while maintaining deployment simplicity
3Reliability
If internal fixation with plates and screws is used to treat unstable pelvic fractures, then definitive stabilization is achieved, but the procedure is complex and highly invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential fixation elements (pedicle screws and connecting rod) needed for stabilization, eliminating the complex plate and screw systems required in traditional internal fixation. The pedicle screws engage the iliac wings and the subcutaneous rod connects them, providing definitive stabilization with minimal surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation is applied locally at the iliac wings and sacroiliac joints rather than requiring extensive internal fixation throughout the pelvic ring. The pedicle screws are positioned at specific entry points in the ilium, and the subcutaneous rod provides localized stabilization, reducing overall surgical complexity while maintaining definitive stabilization
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention is a novel method for definitive pelvic stabilization. The method uses the already established principles of anterior external fixation combined with internal hardware placed in a minimally invasive fashion. Pedicle screws are affixed to the ilia and a rigid, bowed fixation rod is connected between the pedicle screws. Preferably the pedicle screws are attached to the supra-acetabular area of each of the ilium of the pelvis and the fixation rod is bowed anteriorly away from the pelvis.