Collapsible Bone Distractor Abutment Member

Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of a bone distractor apparatus with perpendicularly aligned abutment members causes increased tissue damage during extraction, particularly with the distal abutment member, due to its larger profile when withdrawn axially.

Innovation Solution

The distal abutment member is designed to collapse in the distal direction, allowing it to lie adjacent the mounting bracket, and the proximal abutment member can also pivot in the distal direction with a locking mechanism, reducing tissue damage during removal by presenting a smaller profile when withdrawn.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If abutment members extend perpendicularly to provide distraction force transfer, then force transfer capability is improved, but tissue damage during removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction force transferVSAvoidtissue damage during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment member is designed with a hinge joint that allows it to dynamically change its orientation. During the distraction phase, the abutment member extends perpendicularly to effectively transfer distraction force to the bone segment. During the removal phase, the abutment member can pivot to a collapsed position parallel to the mounting bracket, reducing its profile and minimizing tissue damage during axial extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If abutment members are positioned to abut bone segment ends, then distraction force distribution is improved, but extraction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction force distributionVSAvoidextraction procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge joint enables the abutment member to automatically transition between its operational and storage positions. During distraction, it extends to distribute force; during removal, it collapses to simplify extraction. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation or additional tools to reposition the abutment member during extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment member transitions from a perpendicular orientation (providing force transfer in the distraction direction) to a parallel orientation (reducing profile in the axial extraction direction). This dimensional change allows the same component to optimize for both force transfer during operation and minimal interference during removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If distal abutment member maintains fixed perpendicular position, then force transfer stability is improved, but tissue bore size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transfer stabilityVSAvoidtissue bore size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment member is designed with a hinge joint that allows it to dynamically change its orientation. During the distraction phase, the abutment member extends perpendicularly to effectively transfer distraction force to the bone segment. During the removal phase, the abutment member can pivot to a collapsed position parallel to the mounting bracket, reducing its profile and minimizing tissue damage during axial extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7771434B2Bone distractor apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 KLS MARTIN LP

AI summary

An improved distractor apparatus of the type having at least a pair of opposing bone plates secured distally and proximally to a pair of bone segments created by cutting an osteotomy gap, wherein the mounting brackets for securing the bone plates to the distractor means comprise abutment members that extend into the gap and abut the exposed ends of the two bone segments, such that distraction force is transferred to the bone segments by both the bone plates and the abutment members, wherein at least the abutment member on the distal mounting bracket is collapsible in the distal direction.