Implantable Fabric Locking Mechanism for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone fixation methods lack an efficient mechanism to securely join cut bone portions, particularly in sternum repair, which hinders effective immobilization and healing.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism comprising an implantable fabric and a locking plate with a center cam, designed to securely encircle and compress bone portions, utilizing a contoured aperture and extension portions to retain the fabric, allowing for adjustable tension and fixation through a tool-assisted locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical cable system is used to secure bone portions, then the bone fixation provides basic immobilization, but the mechanism lacks secure locking capability and adjustable tension control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a cam mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of fabric tension. The cam can be rotated to different positions to tighten or loosen the fabric around the bone, providing adjustable tension control. This resolves the contradiction by making the fixation system dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, enabling both secure locking and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a locking plate with a cam as an intermediary mechanism between the fabric and the bone. This locking plate provides the secure locking capability by engaging with the fabric and preventing slippage, while also enabling controlled tension adjustment through cam rotation. The intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by adding both security and adjustability.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism with cam and aperture is used, then secure locking and adjustable tension are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single locking plate component. The locking plate integrates the cam mechanism, the aperture for fabric passage, and the locking features into one unified element. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components while maintaining the secure locking and adjustable tension capabilities, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the cam mechanism for tension adjustment, creates the aperture for fabric passage, provides secure locking engagement, and distributes pressure on the bone. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, achieving high reliability with reduced device complexity.
3Force
If fabric is used to encircle bone portions, then compression and immobilization are provided, but the fabric may slip or loosen over time
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate acts as an intermediary that prevents fabric slippage. The fabric passes through the locking plate's aperture and is secured by the cam mechanism, which creates a positive locking engagement. This intermediary structure maintains the compressive force on the bone while preventing the fabric from loosening or slipping, resolving the contradiction between force application and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic control over fabric tension and positioning. By rotating the cam to different positions, the surgeon can adjust the fabric tightness and lock it in place. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures the fabric maintains stable position and continuous compressive force without slippage, resolving the contradiction between force application and position stability.
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 solution provides a secure and adjustable method for bone fixation, facilitating faster healing by ensuring stable immobilization of bone portions, with the ability to apply compressive force and resist bacterial adhesion through antibiotic and platelet concentrate coatings.
Implementation Method 1
with the ability to apply compressive force and resist bacterial adhesion through antibiotic and platelet concentrate coatings
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking mechanism for securing ends of an implantable fabric including a plate member having an aperture therethrough. A cam member is rotatable relative to the aperture between a locked state and an unlocked state. The implantable fabric is movable relative to the plate member when the cam member is in the unlocked state and restricted from moving relative to the plate member when the cam member is in the locked state.