Gear Actuation Mechanism for Adjustable Bone Fixation Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external fixation systems for bone deformities lack ease and precision in adjustments, which can hinder effective correction of bone deformities.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an adjustable length strut with a rod member having external threads, a tube member with an engagement feature, and an actuation mechanism with gear teeth, allowing for precise length adjustments and improved manipulation of the external fixation frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional threaded rod adjustments are used, then the fixation system can be manipulated, but the precision and ease of adjustment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional direct threaded rod adjustment mechanism with a gear mechanism system. The actuation mechanism with gear teeth engages with the threaded rod, converting rotational motion into precise linear displacement through mechanical advantage. This substitution provides both precision (through gear tooth engagement) and ease of operation (through leveraged mechanical movement), resolving the contradiction between adjustment precision and ease of adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the threaded rod adjustment. Instead of directly manipulating the threaded rod, the user operates the actuation mechanism which then precisely controls the rod's movement through gear engagement. This intermediary mechanism translates simple rotational input into controlled, precise linear adjustment, simultaneously improving both precision and operational ease.
2Productivity
If the strut length is manually adjusted, then bone deformities can be corrected, but the process lacks precision and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The gear-based actuation mechanism replaces manual direct adjustment, providing mechanical advantage that amplifies small rotational movements into precise linear displacements of the threaded rod. This allows clinicians to achieve accurate strut length adjustments more quickly, simultaneously improving correction efficiency and adjustment precision through the gear ratio mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transforms the static adjustment process into a dynamic, controlled movement system. The gear teeth engage with the threaded rod to convert continuous rotational motion into controlled incremental linear movement, allowing for precise, step-by-step adjustment of strut length. This dynamic control enables both high precision and improved efficiency in the correction process.
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 solution enhances the precision and ease of adjustments in external fixation systems, facilitating more effective correction of bone deformities and improving the overall efficiency of the distraction osteogenesis process.
Implementation Method 1
An actuation mechanism is rotatably fixed to the rod member, the actuation mechanism including a plurality of gear teeth extending radially outward of a longitudinal axis of the rod member
Implementation Method 2
the rod member including external threads. A tube member extends between the first joint member and the second joint member, the tube member including a hollow portion adapted to receive the rod member and an engagement feature adapted to engage the external threads of the rod member
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.