Dual Compression Bone Implant for Stable Joint Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving adequate stability, strength, and compression maintenance during bone joint fusion procedures is challenging, particularly in cases involving distal, intermediate, and proximal bones.
Innovation Solution
A dual compression bone joint implant system comprising an intramedullary nail, talar compression carriage, and calcaneal compression carriage, with bone fixation devices and set screws, to provide independent compression forces between bones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional single compression bone implants are used, then the device complexity is low, but the stability and compression maintenance during fusion healing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separate compression carriages (talar compression carriage and calcaneal compression carriage) that can independently apply compression forces at different locations within the bone joint, enabling dual compression while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The compression carriages are nested within the intramedullary nail structure, with each carriage positioned in its own chamber (intermediate chamber for talar carriage, proximal chamber for calcaneal carriage), allowing multiple functional components to be integrated within a single implant device
2Strength
If adequate compression force is applied to maintain stability during fusion, then the fixation strength improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional compression mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The compression carriages are designed with movable components including set screws (first set screw, second set screw) that allow dynamic adjustment of compression forces independently at each carriage location, enabling optimized fixation strength while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows independent adjustment of compression parameters (compression force magnitude and distribution) through the set screw mechanisms, enabling optimization of fixation strength for different clinical scenarios without requiring complex additional structures
3Duration of action of stationary object
If dual compression forces are applied independently at different locations, then the compression maintenance during healing improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The dual compression system is segmented into independent carriages with separate adjustment mechanisms (first set screw for talar carriage, second set screw for calcaneal carriage), allowing surgeons to adjust each compression force independently through simple rotational operations, maintaining ease of operation while achieving prolonged compression maintenance
4Reliability
If multiple compression carriages are used to provide dual compression, then the reliability of fusion healing improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression carriages are nested within dedicated chambers of the intramedullary nail with defined geometric relationships, providing inherent positioning guidance that reduces manufacturing precision requirements while ensuring reliable dual compression application at the correct locations within the bone joint
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing dual compression to a bone joint may include an elongate device having a distal portion receivable within a distal bone tunnel formed in a distal bone of the bone joint, an intermediate portion receivable within an intermediate bone tunnel formed in an intermediate bone of the bone joint, and a proximal portion receivable within a proximal bone tunnel formed in a proximal bone of the bone joint. An intermediate carriage within the intermediate portion may couple with the intermediate bone and translate distally to provide a first compression force between the intermediate bone and the distal bone, and a proximal carriage within the proximal portion may couple with the proximal bone and translate distally to provide a second compression force between the proximal bone and the intermediate bone.