Rotatable Multi-Groove Fixation Clamp for Mixed Pin Sizes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixation clamps for external fixation systems require multiple clamps or additional inserts to accommodate differently sized rods, pins, screws, and wires, leading to bulky systems and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A fixation clamp with multiple clamping assemblies, each featuring jaws with multiple grooves of varying sizes, allowing for the direct accommodation of variously sized bone fixation elements without the need for additional inserts or clamps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple clamps or additional inserts are used to accommodate differently sized rods, pins, screws, and wires, then the fixation system can securely hold various bone fragments, but the system becomes bulky and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate differently sized fixation elementsVSAvoidnumber of clamps and inserts required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is designed with multiple reception cavities of different diameters within a single device, allowing it to accommodate various sizes of rods, pins, screws, and wires. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple different clamps or additional inserts, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple reception cavities with different diameters into one integrated clamp structure. By merging the functions of multiple clamps into a single device, the system becomes less bulky and more efficient while maintaining the ability to secure various fixation elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different diameter reception cavities are provided by the jaws, then various sizes of rods, pins, or wires can be accommodated, but a variety of different clamps or additional inserts are necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of fixation element sizes accommodatedVSAvoidnumber of different clamps and inserts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single clamp design incorporates multiple reception cavities with different diameters, enabling one clamp to perform the function of multiple clamps. This eliminates the need for a variety of different clamps or additional inserts, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and quantity of components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp is segmented into multiple reception cavities within its structure, each capable of accommodating different sized fixation elements. This internal segmentation allows one clamp to replace multiple clamps, reducing the total quantity of components needed in the fixation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250143751A1Fixation Clamp

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements has at least one clamping assembly having a pair of jaws with at least two different size grooves to accommodate a bone fixation element such as a pin or rod. An alternate clamping assembly has at least three grooves wherein at least two of the grooves have a different size adapted to accommodate a correspondingly sized bone fixation element such as a bone pin. The longitudinal axes of the grooves define a polygon. The jaw pairs can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis to present different size reception cavities towards the pins or rocks depending on their diameter.