Implantable Bone Reshaping Device Wireless Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone reshaping techniques require osteotomy and external fixation devices with percutaneous pins, leading to potential infections and prolonged recovery times, as they need to be securely connected to the bone for extended periods.

Innovation Solution

An implantable bone reshaping device with a first and second attachment point, allowing for subcutaneous implantation without osteotomy, which applies a reshaping force to the bone through an adjustment component that can be controlled wirelessly, enabling gradual correction of bone deformities without external frames or pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external fixation devices with percutaneous pins are used to securely connect to bone, then bone reshaping can be achieved, but infection risk increases and recovery time prolongs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone reshaping effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical percutaneous pin connection system with a magnetic field-based wireless actuation system. The implantable device uses a magnetically coupled actuator that can be controlled wirelessly through the skin, eliminating the need for percutaneous connections and thereby reducing infection risk while maintaining bone reshaping effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit actuation commands wirelessly through the skin to the implantable device. This intermediary mechanism allows for secure bone attachment without creating percutaneous pathways that could lead to infection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If external fixation devices are used for extended periods to maintain bone connection, then bone reshaping can be achieved, but recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone reshaping effectivenessVSAvoidrecovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the external mechanical fixation system with an implantable device that can be fully or partially implanted subcutaneously. This eliminates the need for prolonged external frame wear and allows for faster recovery while maintaining the ability to perform bone reshaping operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable device features a magnetically coupled actuator that can be dynamically adjusted wirelessly after implantation. This allows for flexible control of the bone reshaping process without requiring the device to remain externally exposed, thereby reducing recovery time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If osteotomy is performed to divide bone for reshaping, then deformity correction can be achieved, but surgical complexity and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformity correction effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical osteotomy procedure with a magnetic field-based actuation system that can apply controlled forces to the bone through the implantable device. This allows for bone reshaping without the need to surgically divide the bone, thereby reducing surgical complexity and recovery time while maintaining deformity correction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3054872B1Methods and apparatus for bone reshaping
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 NUVASIVE SPECIALIZED ORTHOPEDICS INC
  • EP3054872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054872B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Systems and methods for the reshaping of bone are provided. A bone reshaping device includes at least a first attachment point and a second attachment point. The first attachment point is attached to a first site on an unmodified bone. The second attachment point is attached to a second site on the unmodified bone. The unmodified bone may have a deformity to be corrected through the reshaping of the unmodified bone. When the unmodified bone has a deformity to be corrected, at least a portion of the deformity is in between the first and the second attachment points. The bone reshaping device is actuated to impart a bone reshaping force on the bone. The bone reshaping force may be compressive, distractive, and/or torsional.