Fibular Nail Outriggers for Stable Bone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for internal fixation of fibular nails are complicated by the obscuration of the nail and its cavities, limiting open reduction and stable healing.
Innovation Solution
An outrigger device is introduced, featuring a nail attachment portion and a main outrigger body with aligned apertures for screws and a mechanism for releasable locking, allowing for improved internal fixation and manipulation of bone alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fibular nail with curved tip is used, then stable structure for healing is provided, but open reduction manipulation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fibular nail incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that allows it to transition between a locked state (providing stable structure for healing) and an unlocked state (allowing open reduction manipulation). The locking mechanism includes a locking element that can be engaged or disengaged from a locking surface on the nail shaft, enabling the nail to adapt its rigidity based on surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The nail's mechanical properties are changed through the locking mechanism. When locked, the nail provides maximum rigidity and stability for healing. When unlocked, the nail becomes more flexible and manipulable for open reduction. This parameter change allows the same nail to serve both fixation and manipulation functions.
2Reliability
If fibular nail is inserted to provide internal fixation, then bone healing is supported, but surgical access and view of nail cavities are obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The fibular nail is divided into multiple segments or sections, with externalized cavities and slots positioned on the external surface of the nail. This segmentation allows surgical instruments to access the cavities and slots from the outside, eliminating the need to remove the nail to perform internal fixation operations. The cavities are segmented away from the nail shaft to be accessible from the external surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Externalized cavities and slots serve as intermediaries between the internal fixation function and the surgical field. These externally positioned cavities allow screws, wires, and other fixation elements to be inserted through the external surface of the nail, providing a mediator that enables internal fixation without requiring direct access to the nail's internal structure.
3Strength
If rigid nail structure is used, then fixation stability is improved, but ease of manipulation for open reduction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nail transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with adjustable rigidity. The locking mechanism allows the nail to be manipulated in an unlocked state (ease of operation) and then locked into a rigid state (fixation stability). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between manipulation ease and fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nail is designed with a preliminary unlocked state that facilitates easy manipulation during open reduction. The locking mechanism is activated only after the manipulation phase, transitioning the nail to a rigid state for fixation. This preliminary action of keeping the nail unlocked during manipulation resolves the contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
An outrigger that aids the internal fixation of an intramedullary nail includes a nail attachment portion that attaches to an end of an intramedullary nail and a main outrigger body that attaches to the nail attachment portion. The main outrigger body includes a first portion with a first plurality of apertures that line up with a first plurality of apertures of the intramedullary nail and a second portion with a second plurality of apertures that line up with a second plurality of apertures of the intramedullary nail. The main outrigger body further includes a wire aperture, a connecting flange that connects the first portion and the second portion, and a mechanism that releasably locks the outrigger's apertures in alignment with the intramedullary nail's apertures.