Internal Joint Stabilizer with Trajectory Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged external fixators for joint stabilization are bulky, painful, and complicated, requiring open surgery to install and limiting joint mobility due to pin tract issues, while also lacking an effective method for accurately locating the joint axis.
Innovation Solution
An internal joint stabilizer system with a rotating portion attached to a plate on one bone and a fixable portion on another, using a trajectory guide to locate the joint axis, allowing for internal stabilization without external pins and enabling natural joint motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hinged external fixators are used for joint stabilization, then joint stability is improved, but device bulkiness and pin tract pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pin tract components from the stabilization system by using an internal fixator design that attaches to the bone cortex without requiring percutaneous pins, thereby eliminating pin tract pain while maintaining joint stability through internal plate and screw fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The internal fixator design nests the stabilization components within the body's internal structure, placing the plate and screws inside the soft tissue envelope rather than externally, which eliminates the harmful pin tract effects while preserving the stabilizing function
2Stability of the object's composition
If hinged external fixators are used for joint stabilization, then joint stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome nature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the external bulky components and hinge mechanisms from the stabilization system, replacing them with an internal fixator design that allows natural joint motion without the mechanical constraints of external hinges, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining stability through proper internal fixation
3Stability of the object's composition
If open surgery is performed to install hinged external fixators, then joint stability is improved, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex hinge mechanism and external mounting system from the surgical procedure, replacing them with a simpler internal plate and screw fixation system that can be installed through standard orthopedic techniques, thereby reducing surgical complexity while achieving equivalent or superior joint stability
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided including a rotating portion that can be attached to a plate affixed to a first bone forming a joint and a portion that can be affixed to a second bone of the joint. The device is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems and to stabilize the joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory. Additionally, a method for using the device is provided that includes attaching the rotating portion to a plate attached to a first bone forming a joint, and attaching the fixable portion to a second bone of the joint.