Internal Cable Crimping for Bone Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fixation techniques using cables often result in undesirable bulges and displacement of soft tissue due to external crimping, especially in areas with minimal soft tissue surrounding the bones.

Innovation Solution

A cannulated apparatus comprising a set screw and receptacle with a cable-bending element, allowing for internal crimping of cables within a bone, which maintains tension and prevents soft tissue displacement by positioning the crimp within the bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external crimping is used to secure cables to fractured bones, then cable fixation is achieved, but soft tissue bulging and displacement occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable fixationVSAvoidsoft tissue bulging and displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of crimping the cable from the outside of the bone (external crimping), the invention inverts the approach by crimping the cable from the inside of the bone (internal crimping). The crimping device is inserted through a cannula into the bone's interior, allowing the cable to be secured within the bone structure, thereby eliminating external bulging and displacement of soft tissue while maintaining reliable cable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If internal crimping is implemented to avoid soft tissue displacement, then soft tissue integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft tissue displacementVSAvoidcrimping device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crimping device is designed with a nested structure where the crimping mechanism is housed within a cannula. The cannula serves as an outer shell that guides and protects the cable, while the crimping mechanism is contained within it. This nesting allows the complex crimping function to be delivered through a relatively simple external structure, minimizing the visible complexity while achieving internal crimping to protect soft tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a cannulated apparatus is used for internal crimping, then cable tension is maintained and soft tissue protection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable tension maintenanceVSAvoidapparatus fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cannulated apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a guide for cable insertion and a housing for the crimping mechanism. The cannula itself acts as a protective sheath during insertion and positioning, while also providing structural support for the crimping operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the advanced functionality required for internal crimping and cable tension maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10179016B1Apparatus, system, and method for crimping a cable for bone fixation

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 CABLE FIX LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for crimping a cable. The apparatus comprises a cannulated set screw, comprising a screw channel configured to receive the cable. The apparatus also comprises a cannulated receptacle, configured to receive the cannulated set screw and comprising a receptacle channel configured to receive the cable.