Universal Fixator Clamp With Tool-Locked Anti-Loosening Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal clamps for external fixators can be inadvertently loosened by patients, potentially disrupting the healing process, and they are often costly and not suitable for use outside a surgical setting.
Innovation Solution
A universal fixator clamp system with a torquing apparatus and complementary recesses in the proximal head to prevent disengagement, made from readily available materials like plastic, ensuring secure fixation and allowing use in non-surgical settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a collapsible turn lever clamp is used, then the clamp can be adjusted and loosened by the patient, but this allows unintentional loosening that may damage the healing process
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple components including a proximal head, screw plate, upper clamp plates, lower clamp plates, and a central bolt. This segmentation allows the tightening function to be separated from the loosening function, enabling secure fixation while maintaining adjustability during application
Solution Approach 2:
A torquing apparatus serves as an intermediary tool that engages with complementary recesses in the proximal head. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled tightening while preventing direct manual loosening by patients, as the recesses are designed to accept only the specific torquing apparatus rather than hand tools
2Strength
If traditional clamp materials are used, then the clamp provides sufficient strength, but the cost is high and surgical settings are required
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameters are changed from traditional metals to plastics and readily available materials. The design maintains structural integrity through optimized geometry and stress distribution while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a disposable device made from inexpensive materials that can be manufactured at low cost. This allows use outside surgical settings and eliminates the need for expensive, reusable metal clamps that require sterilization and maintenance
3Ease of operation
If a hand-loosenable clamp is used, then the patient can adjust it for comfort, but this creates risk of unintentional loosening during healing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is pre-configured with complementary recesses in the proximal head that are designed to engage only with the torquing apparatus. This preliminary design feature prevents patients from loosening the clamp while still allowing healthcare providers to adjust it during application using the specialized tool
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 clamp system provides secure, cost-effective stabilization of fractures without manual disengagement, suitable for both surgical and non-surgical environments.
Implementation Method 1
a spring
Implementation Method 2
A central bolt engages with the screw plate to compress the universal fixator clamp when turned by the torquing apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An external fixation system that uses a torquing apparatus and a universal fixator clamp. The universal fixator clamp comprises a proximal head, a screw plate, a first upper clamp plate, a second upper clamp plate, a spring, a first lower clamp plate, and a second lower clamp plate. The first upper clamp plate and second upper clamp plate define at least one bone pin channel and at least one frame rod channel. The first lower clamp plate and second lower clamp plate define at least one bone pin channel and at least one frame rod channel. A central bolt engages with the screw plate to compress the universal fixator clamp when turned by the torquing apparatus. The torquing apparatus has a plurality of arms that engage with complementary recesses in the proximal head to prevent patients from disengaging the clamp once tightened.