Flexible Intramedullary Rib Fixation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid bone fixation devices are unable to safely navigate the curved medullary canal of ribs, risking damage to surrounding tissues and organs due to the risk of breaking through the cortical wall.
Innovation Solution
An intramedullary bone fixation device with a flexible shaft that can change shape to accommodate the curvature of the medullary canal, featuring a distal bone screw for fixation and a locking member to compress and secure adjacent bone segments, preventing them from separating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid rib fixation devices are used, then fixation strength is improved, but the risk of breaking through the cortical wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device incorporates a flexible shaft that can dynamically adapt its shape to match the curvature of the medullary canal during insertion. This dynamic flexibility allows the device to navigate curved pathways without exerting excessive force on the cortical wall, while maintaining sufficient rigidity once positioned to provide effective fixation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its mechanical parameters (flexibility and rigidity) based on the insertion environment. The flexible region allows the shaft to conform to the curved medullary canal geometry during insertion, reducing the risk of cortical wall penetration, while the overall device structure maintains adequate strength for fixation once properly positioned.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid rib fixation devices are used, then fixation stability is improved, but ease of insertion into curved medullary canal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft enables the device to dynamically adapt to the curved geometry of the medullary canal during insertion, making the procedure easier and safer. Once inserted and positioned, the device provides stable fixation through its locking mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional regions: a flexible shaft portion for navigation through the curved medullary canal, and rigid locking portions (proximal and distal bone screws) for stable fixation. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Ease of operation
If flexible shaft is used, then ease of insertion into curved medullary canal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft is constructed using a flexible region that can be implemented through various means such as flexible materials, segmented structures, or lattice designs. These approaches provide the necessary flexibility for curved medullary canals while keeping the overall device design relatively simple and manufacturable.
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 flexible shaft allows safe insertion and secure fixation of bone segments without breaking through the cortical wall, effectively stabilizing fractured ribs while minimizing risk to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal
Data Source
AI summary
An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.