Grooved Compression Staple with Guide Wire Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staples for orthopedic procedures lack precision and strength in insertion, often requiring percussive force and pre-drilled holes that can become inaccurate due to blood and debris, leading to incomplete bone stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A grooved and tabbed compression staple system with guide wires for precise placement, using a drill with an axial hole to create holes around the wires, and a guide device for adjustable placement, allowing for accurate and robust bone stabilization without pre-drilled holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If percussive force is used to drive staples into bone, then insertion is achieved, but the method is abrasive and lacks controllability
Solution Approach 1:
The staple is divided into multiple legs (typically three or more) that can be inserted independently through separate guide pins. This segmentation allows each leg to be placed precisely without requiring excessive percussive force, reducing bone damage while maintaining insertion effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins are inserted into the bone beforehand to establish precise insertion paths. The staple legs are then driven along these pre-established paths, eliminating the need for rough percussive insertion and allowing controlled, precise placement without damaging the bone.
2Ease of operation
If pre-drilled holes are used for staple insertion, then placement is facilitated, but holes become inaccurate due to blood and debris
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pins are inserted directly into the bone to establish precise insertion paths before the actual staple placement. These pins remain in place during the procedure, ensuring that the staple legs are driven along the correct paths without deviation from blood or debris, maintaining accuracy throughout the surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the surgeon's intent and the staple placement. They provide a physical reference that maintains hole accuracy throughout the procedure, preventing blood and debris from obscuring the insertion paths.
3Ease of operation
If cannulated staples with hollow anchoring members are used, then insertion method is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The staple structure is segmented into multiple solid legs rather than using hollow anchoring members. Each leg is a solid, strength-optimized component that contributes to overall structural integrity while still allowing for the improved insertion method using guide pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple is constructed from solid metal material that combines the strength requirements for bone fixation with the geometric design needed for guide pin insertion. The solid construction provides superior strength compared to hollow members while the leg geometry enables easy insertion along guide pin paths.
4Ease of manufacture
If guide device is removed before staple insertion, then drill guide function is completed, but hole location becomes difficult to assess
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pins are inserted and left in place to continuously mark the hole locations throughout the procedure. This allows the surgeon to assess hole locations under fluoroscopy at any stage of the surgery, maintaining precision without requiring the guide device to remain in place.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins serve as permanent intermediary markers that remain in the bone to indicate hole locations. They provide continuous visual reference under fluoroscopy, allowing accurate assessment of hole positions without requiring the original guide device to remain in place.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a surgically implantable compression staple, system, and method of use thereof for the internal fixation of bone fractures, fusions, and osteotomies. The staple has a grooved construction along the outside edge of each of its legs and cannulated tabs are aligned above the grooves. The grooves and cannulated tabs of the staple are sized to fit and align with guide wires. Once holes are drilled over the guide wires with a specialized cannulated drill, the appropriately sized staple can be inserted over the guide wires and the guide wires are subsequently removed. The compression feature of the staple is activated and the staple provides stability across the desired fractured site. The system and method allows for easy alignment and precise placement of surgically implantable staples.