HTO External Fixator Modular Design for Stable Bone Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) surgeries face challenges such as prolonged operation times, instability during bone correction, risk of infection, and prolonged rehabilitation due to large incisions and unstable fixation materials, leading to potential correction loss and delayed healing.
Innovation Solution
A new HTO external fixator designed for open wedge osteotomy from the medial side, allowing for graduated correction, early weight-bearing mobilization, and controlled distraction, with a small skin incision and stable fixation that enables early weight-bearing and avoids the need for a second surgical procedure for implant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plate or nail implantation is used for HTO, then stable fixation is achieved, but operation time is prolonged and a second surgery is needed for implant removal
Solution Approach 1:
The external fixator system is divided into modular components including proximal and distal holders, connection elements, and adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows for faster assembly during surgery compared to traditional plate implantation, reducing operation time while maintaining fixation stability. The modular design also enables the fixator to be removed externally without a second surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The external fixator acts as an intermediary device that provides stable fixation from the outside rather than requiring internal implantation. This eliminates the need for extensive soft tissue dissection and large incisions, reducing operation time and avoiding the need for a second removal surgery, while still achieving the required fixation stability through external application.
2Reliability
If large incision is made for plate implantation, then stable fixation is achieved, but infection risk increases due to large incision
Solution Approach 1:
The external fixator serves as an intermediary that achieves stable fixation without requiring large incisions. By applying the fixator from the outside, the system maintains fixation stability while minimizing soft tissue disruption and reducing the risk of surgical site infection associated with large incisions required for traditional plate implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external fixator uses thin percutaneous pin tracks rather than large incisions to access the bone. This approach maintains fixation stability while minimizing the exposed wound surface area, thereby reducing the risk of infection compared to large incisions required for internal plate placement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fixation materials are used, then bone correction can be maintained, but correction loss occurs when opposite cortex breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The external fixator incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow for real-time correction of bone alignment. If cortical breakage occurs, the system can be adjusted to maintain the desired correction, preventing correction loss. This dynamic capability enhances both correction stability and reliability compared to static internal fixation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The external fixator system allows for postoperative monitoring and adjustment of bone correction. If cortical breakage or correction loss is detected, the fixator can be adjusted to restore the desired alignment, providing feedback-based correction maintenance that improves reliability compared to traditional internal fixation where adjustments are not possible after implantation.
4Manufacturing precision
If open wedge osteotomy is performed, then bone correction is achieved, but prolonged rehabilitation is needed due to unstable fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The external fixator's modular segmented design provides stable fixation that allows for earlier weight-bearing and rehabilitation compared to traditional internal fixation. The multiple attachment points and adjustable components distribute mechanical loads effectively, enabling patients to begin rehabilitation sooner while maintaining precise bone correction achieved through open wedge osteotomy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is related with an external fixator that is used in High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) surgeries, including at least one positioner (1) for gripping the leg from both sides, at least one angulation device (3) and a proximal arch (8) that is connected to the positioner (1), at least one proximal schanz holder (7) on the proximal arch (8), at least one distal schanz holder (4) at the bottom of the angulation device (3), at least one osteotomy block (5) that enables to set the size and the location of the incision on the proximal arch (8), at least one fibular head positioning device (2) that is connected to the angulation device (3) and at least one angular indicator (scale) (19) on the fixator, on which the correction can be adjusted and controlled.