Flexible Intramedullary Tether for Bone Contour Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for fixing intramedullary nails or devices in bones lack a small, implantable, and flexible tether that can securely hold the device in place while accommodating the bone's contour, and there is a need for effective targeting and clamping mechanisms to ensure precise installation.
Innovation Solution
A tether system with a retention portion for holding the implantable bone device and a fastening portion with adjustable through fastener openings, designed to be less thick than the retention portion, along with a targeting device featuring a smoothly-curved sleeve and spikes for engaging bone tissue, and a clamp for manipulating the tether, all aimed at providing secure and adjustable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a tether is designed to be small and implantable, then it can be properly integrated into bone structures, but it becomes more difficult to provide sufficient retention and fastening capability
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is divided into distinct functional segments: a retention portion with a recess for receiving the intramedullary device, and a fastening portion with through fastener openings for securing to bone. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening portion is shaped to be less thick than the height of the retention portion, allowing the tether to be nested or contoured within the bone structure. The fastening portion can be positioned within or against the bone surface, utilizing the existing bone geometry to provide secure attachment without requiring additional external space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fastening portion is made adjustable to accommodate bone contour, then it improves adaptability to different bone shapes, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening portion is designed to be adjustable, allowing it to be positioned at different locations and orientations on the bone surface. This dynamic positioning capability enables the tether to adapt to various bone contours and shapes without requiring multiple specialized tether designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is designed with different thicknesses in different portions: the retention portion has greater height to accommodate the intramedullary device, while the fastening portion is thinner to allow contouring against the bone surface. This local variation in geometry enables the tether to match the specific requirements of different bone regions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tether is designed with a smooth outside contour, then it reduces tissue irritation and improves biocompatibility, but it reduces mechanical interlocking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is segmented into a retention portion with a recess for device reception and a fastening portion with through fastener openings for bone attachment. This segmentation allows the smooth contour to be maintained on the external surface while providing mechanical interlocking features in the functional portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether has a smooth outside contour on the external surface to minimize tissue irritation, while the retention and fastening portions contain localized mechanical features (recess and through openings) that provide secure attachment. The smooth contour is maintained where tissue contact occurs, while mechanical features are positioned where they are needed for device retention and bone fastening.
Data Source
AI summary
A tether for an implantable bone device, the tether including a retention portion for holding the implantable bone device in place, wherein the retention portion comprises a recess configured to receive a protruding proximate end of the device when the device is positioned inside a bone, wherein the recess is open at a first end and closed at a second end; and a fastening portion for affixing the tether to the bone, wherein the fastening portion comprises one or more through fastener openings, wherein each through fastener opening is configured to receive a bone fastener, wherein the fastening portion is adjustable, and wherein the fastening portion is shaped to be less thick that a height of the retention portion.