Surgical Guidewire Centering Expander for Intramedullary Nailing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intramedullary nailing procedures face challenges in accurately positioning intramedullary nails due to improper placement of guidewires, especially in osteoporotic patients, leading to complications like anterior perforations of the femur.
Innovation Solution
A centering assembly for surgical guidewires, comprising an elongate guidewire with an expander at one end and an actuator at the other, allowing the expander to move between collapsed and expanded configurations for precise centering within the medullary cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a surgical guidewire is used for positioning the intramedullary nail, then the nail positioning is improved, but the guidewire itself may be improperly positioned causing anterior perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The expander acts as an intermediary device between the guidewire and the medullary cavity wall. It is attached to the guidewire and expanded within the cavity to provide a stable reference point and prevent guidewire migration, thereby ensuring both guidewire and nail positioning reliability without compromising the guiding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The expander is deployed on the guidewire before nail insertion to pre-establish proper guidewire positioning and stability. This preliminary centering action prevents subsequent guidewire migration and ensures accurate nail placement, addressing the positioning reliability issue before the critical nail insertion step.
2Ease of operation
If the guidewire is inserted without centering assistance, then the procedure is simpler, but anterior perforations occur due to anterior migration
Solution Approach 1:
The expander serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between the guidewire and the anterior cortex. By expanding within the medullary cavity, it creates a buffer zone that eliminates the harmful anterior migration effect while maintaining procedural simplicity through a single integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
The expander provides beforehand cushioning by being deployed on the guidewire prior to nail insertion. It cushions against anterior migration forces and prevents perforation risks before they can occur, while the entire system remains easy to operate as a unified assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If the expander is made expandable, then the centering precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expander employs a nested structure where multiple expansion elements are contained within each other in a compact state. When activated, these nested elements unfold or expand radially to provide precise centering. This nesting approach achieves high centering precision while minimizing the device's footprint and operational complexity.
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
Ensures accurate placement of the guidewire, reducing complications and improving the reliability of intramedullary nailing procedures, particularly in patients with osteoporosis or loss of trabecular bone.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator that compresses the expander in an axial direction to cause expansion of the expander in a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A centering assembly for centering a surgical guidewire, includes a guidewire having an elongate body having a first end and a second end. The assembly further includes an expander located at the first end. The expander has a center point aligned with the elongate guidewire. An actuator is located at the second end. Actuation of the actuator moves the expander between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.