Helical Barb Bone Anchoring Element for Secure Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone anchoring elements, such as screws and nails, are time-consuming and force-requiring to insert, can exert damaging forces on bones, and often require precise core holes for insertion and removal, making them unsuitable for certain clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
A bone anchoring element with barb elements arranged on a helical line around the shaft axis, allowing for rapid and secure insertion and removal by sliding into a prepared core hole, using a shape memory alloy or super elastic material to facilitate easy insertion and secure attachment without damaging the bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional bone screw with threaded shaft is used, then secure anchoring to bone is achieved, but insertion is time-consuming and requires high force
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into multiple discrete barb elements arranged helically, where each barb acts as an independent anchoring unit. This segmentation allows the barbs to engage with bone independently during insertion, providing secure anchoring while reducing insertion time compared to a continuous threaded shaft that must be rotated through the entire length.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a threaded shaft that screws into bone through rotational motion, the invention inverts the approach by using barb elements that engage bone through axial pressing motion. The barbs are compressed against the bone during insertion and then expand to lock, reversing the conventional screwing mechanism to achieve both speed and security.
2Reliability
If a conventional bone screw with threaded shaft is used, then secure anchoring is achieved, but high pressure forces are exerted on the bone during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed barb elements along the shaft provide multiple localized engagement points with the bone, spreading the anchoring force across several locations rather than concentrating it at a single thread interface. This segmentation reduces peak pressure forces on any single bone area while maintaining overall anchoring security.
Solution Approach 2:
The barb elements utilize material elasticity and geometric deformation to change their state during insertion. The barbs are compressed axially during insertion and then expand radially to lock into the bone, using elastic deformation to achieve anchoring without exerting high continuous pressure forces that would damage the bone.
3Ease of operation
If a bone nail with barb-like projections is used, then insertion is facilitated and loosening is prevented, but removal without destroying the bone is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The barb elements are designed with dynamic characteristics, being elastically deformable to facilitate insertion through compression, then expanding to lock securely. The same elastic properties enable controlled expansion during removal, allowing the barbs to be gradually released from the bone without requiring destructive forces, thus providing both easy insertion and bone-sparing removal.
4Ease of repair
If an anchoring nail with wedge-shaped retention elements is used, then screwing out and removal is enabled, but precise core hole diameter is required and insertion is not easy
Solution Approach 1:
The barb elements utilize elastic deformation to change their dimensional parameters during insertion and removal. During insertion, the barbs are compressed axially, reducing their radial engagement with the core hole. During removal, the barbs expand radially to disengage from the bone, eliminating the need for precise core hole fitting and enabling easy insertion and removal without high manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enables rapid, secure, and easy insertion and removal of the bone anchoring element with reduced force, preventing loosening and damage, while being versatile and easy to manufacture, suitable for various clinical applications.
Implementation Method 1
If the tubular body of the shaft is made of a shape memory alloy, the shape memory effect can be used in such a way that the barb elements do not project during insertion of the bone anchoring element into the bone and rise up when the bone anchoring element is inserted due to the action of the body heat
Implementation Method 2
The tubular body can also be made of a material having super elastic properties or a spring like behavior. For example a titanium alloy having super elasticity or stainless steel can be used
Data Source
AI summary
A bone anchoring element includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone, the shaft having a tubular body. The shaft comprises a plurality of barb elements, wherein each barb element is formed as continuous one-piece part with the tubular body. Each barb element is moveable between a first position adjacent to the tubular body and a second position further from the tubular body than the first position. The barb elements are arranged along at least one helical line around an axis of the shaft.