Fracture Treatment Device Play Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating femoral neck fractures are unwieldy and lack a simple yet robust mechanism to adjust the play between the coupling device and the plate, which is crucial for promoting healing without excessive sliding of bone fragments.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adjustment device that allows for adjustable play between the coupling device and the plate, featuring a first and second stop surface to limit movement, and an adjusting screw for precise positioning, eliminating the need for telescopic screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If telescopic screws or barrel screws are used to provide movable connection, then the coupling device can move relative to the plate promoting healing, but the device becomes unwieldy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid plate fixed to the femoral shaft, a movable coupling device for the femoral head, and an independent adjustment device with adjusting screw. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the plate provides stable fixation, the coupling device allows controlled movement, and the adjusting screw enables play adjustment - without requiring complex integrated mechanisms like telescopic screws.
Solution Approach 2:
An adjustment device with an adjusting screw acts as an intermediary mechanism between the plate and coupling device. This intermediary allows precise control of the play (movement range) between the coupling device and plate through a simple screwing motion, eliminating the need for complex telescopic or barrel screw mechanisms while maintaining the desired movable connection for healing promotion.
2Manufacturing precision
If an adjustment device is added to control play, then the play can be precisely adjusted for optimal healing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device changes the physical parameter of play (movement range) through a simple mechanical action - screwing the adjusting screw in or out. This changes the distance between the first and second stop surfaces, thereby precisely adjusting the play between the coupling device and plate. The parameter change is achieved through a straightforward threaded mechanism rather than complex adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting screw replicates the functional principle of existing telescopic or barrel screw mechanisms but implements it through a simpler, more robust threaded connection. Instead of copying the complex telescopic structure, the invention uses a basic screw thread - one of the simplest and most reliable mechanical elements - to achieve the same play adjustment function with fewer parts and less complexity.
3Reliability
If stop surfaces are used to limit movement, then excessive sliding of bone fragments is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stop surfaces on the adjustment device and coupling device automatically limit the movement of the coupling device relative to the plate. When the coupling device moves medially or laterally, the stop surfaces naturally engage to prevent excessive displacement. This self-limiting mechanism eliminates the need for additional complex locking or limiting mechanisms - the stop surfaces perform the protective function through their basic geometric arrangement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for treating a fracture, in particular a fracture of a proximal femur such as, for example, a femoral neck fracture, having a plate (3) for attaching to a thigh bone, one or more intraosseous screws (10) by means of which the plate (3), through intraosseous screw openings (14), can be fixed to a thigh shaft (4), a coupling device, in particular a bone screw (5), which is arranged proximally to the at least one intraosseous screw (10) and by means of which the plate (3) can be connected at a coupling device opening (6) through the thigh shaft (4) and a thigh neck (2) to a thigh head (7), wherein the coupling device is connected to the plate (3) with play (21) such that the coupling device can be moved in the lateral direction (8) relative to the plate (3). In order to achieve a particularly precise and simultaneous adjustability of the play (21), according to the invention an adjusting device is provided which is connected to the plate (3), which can be positioned at different positions relative to the plate (3) and by means of which the play (21) can be adjusted.