Minimally Invasive Hip Fracture Reduction Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical techniques for reducing hip fractures require large incisions, causing significant soft tissue damage and scarring, leading to longer recovery times and hospitalization.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive assembly comprising a holder with movable arms and an actuator that allows for the placement of a bone plate and fasteners through a small incision, minimizing tissue damage and scarring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical techniques are used to reduce hip fracture, then the fracture can be reduced and stabilized, but a relatively large incision must be created causing substantial soft tissue damage and long healing time
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) performing the fracture reduction and stabilization through a large initial incision, and (2) subsequently closing the incision using a skin closure device with multiple adjustable sutures. This segmentation allows the harmful large incision to be made only temporarily for the essential surgical task, while the closure phase minimizes lasting tissue damage and scarring.
Solution Approach 2:
The skin closure device is prepared and positioned before the incision is fully closed. The device includes pre-configured sutures and adjustment mechanisms that are ready to be deployed immediately after fracture stabilization, allowing for optimal wound closure before tissue swelling or contamination can occur.
2Reliability
If conventional surgical techniques are used to reduce hip fracture, then the fracture can be reduced and stabilized, but the procedure results in longer hospitalization due to post operative recovery
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the surgical procedure into fracture stabilization and separate wound closure phases using a specialized device, the overall surgical time is reduced and post-operative recovery is accelerated. The efficient closure mechanism allows for quicker wound management, directly reducing hospitalization duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The skin closure device enables rapid adjustment of suture tension and positioning, changing the wound closure parameters from a time-consuming manual process to a quickly adjustable system. This parameter optimization reduces both surgical time and post-operative recovery time.
3Reliability
If conventional surgical techniques are used to reduce hip fracture, then the fracture can be reduced and stabilized, but a relatively large incision causes significant unattractive scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The wound closure is segmented into multiple adjustable suture points along the incision line, allowing each segment to be independently optimized for minimal scarring. This segmented approach to closure, rather than a single large suture, creates a more aesthetically pleasing result while maintaining fracture stabilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a holder having a first arm and a second arm, the holder being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The assembly further includes an actuator movable in relation to the holder between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes movement of the holder from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first arm has a first bone plate contact portion, and the second arm has a second bone plate contact portion. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a first distance when the holder is in the first configuration. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a second distance when the holder is in the second configuration. The first distance is greater than the second distance. The assembly further includes a bone plate having a plurality of fastener openings defined therein. The holder retains the bone plate between the first bone plate contact portion of the first arm and second bone plate contact portion of the second arm when the holder is positioned in the second configuration.