Grooved Crimp Set Screw Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical cable and crimp assemblies require large incisions and significant tissue disruption to access both ends of the cable, causing trauma and discomfort, especially in delicate anatomical areas, and fail to maintain a compact profile for minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A compact tool comprising a flexible cable with a beaded end, a crimp member with a two-part groove and oblique threaded hole, and a set screw, allowing the cable to be looped around a bone without requiring both ends to be accessed, enabling tensioning and secure fixation without extensive tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both ends of the cable are accessed for tensioning, then the cable can be properly secured, but the incision size increases and tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is segmented into two functional parts: a beaded first end that locks into the groove cavity, and a second end that passes through the cable hole. This segmentation allows each end to serve a different function, enabling secure fixation without requiring both ends to be accessed simultaneously, thus reducing incision size and tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cable and the crimp member. The beaded first end of the cable locks into the groove cavity, serving as a mediator that secures the cable in place without requiring direct access to both cable ends. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable fixation while minimizing tissue disruption.
2Ease of operation
If the cable is inserted isolated from the crimp member, then the procedure time is reduced and complexity is lowered, but the cable may slip out without proper retention
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-formed in the crimp member with a cavity designed to receive and retain the beaded first end of the cable. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cable is inserted isolated from the crimp member, the beaded end automatically locks into the pre-prepared groove cavity, preventing slippage and ensuring reliable retention without requiring complex assembly steps.
3Ease of operation
If the groove allows cable sliding, then the cable can be positioned accurately, but the cable may move excessively causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure provides dynamic positioning capability: the cable can slide freely within the groove during insertion and positioning, allowing easy adjustment and alignment. Once the beaded first end reaches the groove cavity, it automatically locks in place, transitioning from a dynamic sliding state to a fixed retained state. This dynamic behavior enables both positioning flexibility and final placement accuracy.
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
Facilitates secure cable fixation around fractured bones with reduced tissue trauma and discomfort by allowing isolated cable insertion and tensioning, minimizing the need for large incisions and preserving a compact profile, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the set screw is tightened using a screwdriver through the handle, deforming the cable inside the hole
Implementation Method 2
The groove has a first part including a cavity sized to accept the beaded end of cable
Data Source
AI summary
A device for binding a cable about a fractured bone to stabilize a fracture comprises a slot including a distal opening sized to receive an enlarged end of a cable and a proximal opening sized to permit the cable to slide therethrough while preventing the enlarged end from passing therethough and a bore sized to slidably receive the cable, the bore extending to a proximal opening in combination with a locking element channel extending to a distal end opening into the bore and a locking element movable into a locking position in which a distal end of the locking element extends into the bore to engage a portion of the cable received therein and lock the cable in a desired position within the bore.