Flexible Bone Fixation Device with Stacked Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone plates for internal fixation of fractured bones require significant time and skill to conform to the bone surface, often resulting in imperfect matching and uneven load distribution, and the manufacturing costs are high due to the need for a wide range of shapes to accommodate various fractures and patient anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation device comprising a beam of flexible members that can be bent to conform to the bone surface and locked into place using a locking mechanism, allowing for easy shaping and secure attachment with reduced tool requirements, and potentially lower manufacturing costs by accommodating a broader range of fractures and anatomies with a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional rigid bone plates are used, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the device complexity increases and surgical time increases due to the need for manual bending and multiple ancillary tools
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, with each section having a different degree of flexibility. This segmentation allows the plate to be bent into complex contours while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the need for multiple rigid plate options and reducing surgical tool requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape during surgery. The varying flexibility along the plate length enables it to be manually bent into the desired contour without requiring multiple pre-formed rigid plates or complex bending tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid bone plates are manually bent to match bone contours, then shape adaptability improves, but surgical time increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the bone plate have different flexibility characteristics, with some areas designed to be more flexible for contour adaptation and other areas maintaining higher stiffness for load-bearing. This local differentiation enables quick shaping to match bone contours while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate's flexibility parameter varies along its length, allowing sections to be easily bent to match bone contours while other sections remain rigid for structural support. This parameter variation enables rapid adaptation to different bone shapes without requiring extensive manual bending time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rigid bone plate shapes are manufactured to accommodate various fractures, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing cost increases and inventory complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single flexible bone plate design can accommodate multiple fracture types and anatomical locations by being bent into different configurations during surgery. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture and maintain large inventories of specialized rigid plates for different fracture patterns, reducing both manufacturing costs and inventory complexity.
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 device allows for quicker and more precise shaping to match bone contours, reducing surgical time and inventory needs while maintaining effective fixation, and can be easily adapted to various bone shapes, improving surgical efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of flexible members are provided in one or more groupings that engage at least one locking member. The locking member is configured to retain the flexible members together in either a locked relationship or an unlocked relationship. In the locked relationship, the locking member compresses the flexible members together. The beam provided by the flexible members is configured to bend when a threshold force is applied to the beam, provided the flexible members are in an unlocked relationship.
Implementation Method 2
The locking member is configured to retain the flexible members together in either a locked relationship or an unlocked relationship. In the locked relationship, the locking member compresses the flexible members together. When the flexible members are in a locked relationship, the beam has an increased resistance to bending such that application of the threshold force is insufficient to bend the plurality of stacked flexible members and alter the shape of the bone fixation device.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fixation device comprises a beam including plurality of stacked flexible members. At least one locking member is provided in engagement with the plurality of stacked flexible members. The at least one locking member is configured to retain the plurality of stacked flexible members together in either a locked relationship or an unlocked relationship. In the locked relationship, the at least one locking member compress the plurality of stacked flexible members together. The plurality of stacked flexible members are configured to bend when a threshold force is applied to the beam, provided the plurality of stacked flexible members are in an unlocked relationship. When the plurality of stacked flexible members are in an unlocked relationship, the threshold force is insufficient to bend the plurality of stacked flexible members.