Elastic Ankle Wrap With Surgical Window for Syndesmosis Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing syndesmotic injuries, such as those involving the distal fibula and tibia, often result in malreduction due to improper clamp force vectors, leading to long-term ankle problems.
Innovation Solution
A wrap made of elastic material with an intermediate open window or slot allows for circumferential wrapping and secure reduction of the fibula to the tibia, providing a uniform reduction vector without the need for clamps, facilitating surgical incisions and hardware placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large metal clamp is used to reduce the syndesmosis, then the fibula can be pushed back into its tibial concavity, but the reduction precision deteriorates when the clamp force vector is off by as little as 15 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic wrap made of flexible material to encircle the ankle and foot, replacing the rigid metal clamp. The wrap applies distributed compressive force around the ankle joint, eliminating the need for precise force vector alignment while achieving syndesmosis reduction through uniform compression rather than concentrated clamping force.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a metal plate with screws is used to immobilize fracture fragments, then the fracture can be secured, but the syndesmosis malreduction rate remains nearly 50%
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic wrap is applied to the ankle before surgical fixation to achieve preliminary reduction of the syndesmosis. This preliminary action positions the fibula correctly in the tibial concavity, providing a stable foundation for subsequent hardware placement and ensuring accurate syndesmosis alignment throughout the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If a large metal clamp is used as a reduction tool, then the fibula can be manipulated, but the device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex metal clamp device from the surgical procedure and replaces it with a simple elastic wrap. The wrap can be easily applied and adjusted by hand, eliminating the need for complex mechanical reduction tools while maintaining the ability to manipulate and reduce the fibula effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The elastic wrap achieves a more precise and stable reduction of syndesmotic injuries, reducing the risk of malpositioning and enabling faster, safer surgical procedures with improved anatomical alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a wrap made of elastic material with an intermediate open window or slot allows for circumferential wrapping and secure reduction of the fibula to the tibia
Data Source
AI summary
An improved syndesmosis reduction device has a wrap of elastic material extending a length L from a first end to a second end with an open window or slot positioned in an intermediate portion of the wrap spaced from the ends. The wrap is configured to achieve a reduction of an injured ankle and is facilitated by the elastic nature of the ankle wrap. The reduction is facilitated by circumferentially wrapping the wrap from a leg to a foot or vice versa in a compressive fashion by securing the first end by wrapping and stretching the wrap to the second end. The window or slot is to permit an incision at the ankle for hardware placement without the need to remove the wrap and without loss of the reduction achieved.