Correction Clamp Assembly for Minimally Invasive Bunion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical procedures for correcting bone deformities like hallux valgus, such as Lapidus bunionectomy, often require extensive soft tissue dissection, leading to tissue damage, compromised blood flow, and prolonged healing, while existing devices struggle to maintain bone alignment without causing unnecessary disruption.
Innovation Solution
A correction clamp assembly comprising an elongate bridge, first and second blocks, and pins, allowing for the manipulation and temporary fixation of bones in multiple planes, minimizing tissue disruption through a minimally invasive approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extensive soft tissue dissection is performed to allow visualization and manipulation of bone, then bone manipulation and fixation can be achieved, but tissue damage, compromised blood flow, and prolonged healing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The correction clamp serves as an intermediary device that provides mechanical leverage and control for bone manipulation without requiring direct visual access or extensive soft tissue dissection. The clamp attaches to the bone through pins that penetrate minimal tissue, allowing the surgeon to manipulate and fixate the bone while preserving surrounding soft tissue integrity and blood flow.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical instruments are used for bone correction, then bone can be manipulated and fixed, but unnecessary tissue disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The correction clamp is divided into multiple functional segments: an elongate bridge for structural support, movable blocks for positioning, pins for bone attachment, and locking mechanisms for fixation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with minimal tissue interference, enabling precise bone correction without unnecessary tissue disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction clamp incorporates movable blocks that can slide and rotate along the elongate bridge, allowing dynamic adjustment of the clamp's position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the clamp to adapt to various bone configurations and manipulation requirements while maintaining minimal tissue contact and disruption throughout the surgical procedure.
3Ease of operation
If multiple incisions and extensive dissection are made to access bone for correction, then bone can be repositioned and fixed, but healing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The correction clamp extracts the essential function of bone manipulation and fixation from the context of extensive soft tissue dissection. By designing a device that can attach to and manipulate bone through minimal tissue penetration, the clamp enables bone correction procedures to be performed with significantly reduced soft tissue trauma, thereby accelerating the healing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A correction clamp assembly that permits a physician to surgically correct a bunion or similar deformity is provided. The assembly includes an elongate bridge, as well as first and second blocks slidably or rotatably connected to the elongate bridge. More specifically, first block is configured to slide along a slot formed in the elongate bridge, as well as rotate relative thereto. Additionally, the second block is configured to rotate relative to the elongate bridge. First and second pins may be configured to extend through the first and second block, and then into various pieces of bone. Once a cut is made in a portion of joint or bone, the pins can thereafter be moved towards and away from one another to position the respective pieces of bone in a desired location. Locking screws may also be provided to releasably secure the blocks relative to the bridge.