Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery Correction Clamp Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical procedures for correcting bone deformities like hallux valgus require extensive tissue dissection, leading to tissue damage, compromised blood flow, and prolonged healing, necessitating a minimally invasive solution that allows for precise bone manipulation and temporary fixation without excessive tissue disruption.
Innovation Solution
A correction clamp assembly comprising an elongate bridge, first and second blocks, and pins, with locking screws and guide rails, enabling the manipulation and temporary fixation of bones in multiple planes, allowing for minimally invasive osteotomy and joint fusion procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical procedures are used to correct bone deformities, then bone manipulation and fixation can be achieved, but extensive tissue dissection is required leading to tissue damage and prolonged healing
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate functional components: a minimally invasive access system for inserting the clamp through small incisions, and a separate fixation system using pins and screws. This segmentation allows bone manipulation without requiring extensive tissue dissection, as each component can be inserted and operated independently through minimal access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction clamp serves as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between minimal tissue access and effective bone manipulation. It provides a mechanical lever arm that amplifies surgical forces, allowing precise bone realignment through small incisions without requiring direct extensive exposure of the surgical site.
2Ease of operation
If extensive tissue dissection is performed to access bone, then bone manipulation is easier, but blood flow is compromised and healing is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The correction clamp incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including threaded rods with nuts that allow continuous adjustment of clamp pressure and position. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to optimize bone manipulation in real-time through minimal access, eliminating the need for extensive static dissection while maintaining effective control throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows preliminary positioning and temporary fixation of bones in corrected positions before permanent fixation is applied. The correction clamp can be inserted through minimal incisions, positioned, and adjusted to achieve proper alignment, thereby eliminating the need for extensive preliminary dissection that would otherwise be required to access and manipulate the bones.
3Reliability
If conventional fixation methods are used, then permanent bone fixation can be achieved, but multiple incisions and extensive tissue disruption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The correction clamp integrates multiple fixation functions into a single device structure. It combines temporary holding capability, alignment maintenance, and guidance for permanent fixation components (pins and screws) into one integrated system. This merging allows all fixation operations to be performed through a single minimal access point, reducing the number of incisions and simplifying the overall surgical procedure while maintaining reliable permanent fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A correction clamp assembly that permits a physician to surgically correct a bunion or similar deformity is provided. The assembly includes an elongate bridge, as well as first and second blocks slidably or rotatably connected to the elongate bridge. More specifically, first block is configured to slide along a slot formed in the elongate bridge, as well as rotate relative thereto. Additionally, the second block is configured to rotate relative to the elongate bridge. First and second pins may be configured to extend through the first and second block, and then into various pieces of bone. Once a cut is made in a portion of joint or bone, the pins can thereafter be moved towards and away from one another to position the respective pieces of bone in a desired location. Locking screws may also be provided to releasably secure the blocks relative to the bridge.