Intramedullary Nail Locking Assembly for Screw Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional intramedullary devices face issues such as implant failure, difficulty in alignment of fixation screws, and susceptibility to rotation and cutout during bone fracture treatment, necessitating improved systems and methods for intramedullary nail implantation.
Innovation Solution
Intramedullary nails with proximal and distal locking features, including interlocking fixation devices and guide wire placement mechanisms, to stabilize bone fractures, along with headless fasteners to minimize patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intramedullary devices are used for bone fracture fixation, then the implantation procedure can be performed with simple devices, but the devices are susceptible to implant failure, rotation, and cutout
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary nail is divided into multiple functional segments including a proximal locking mechanism with guide wire receptacle, a mid-shaft body with fixation screw openings, and a distal locking mechanism with separate guide wire receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire receptacles are integrated into the proximal and distal locking mechanisms of the intramedullary nail. The guide wires are received within recesses formed in the locking mechanisms, creating a nested structure where the guide wires are contained within the nail body. This nesting approach enhances stability by securing guide wires in predetermined positions without adding external components
2Manufacturing precision
If fixation screws are inserted through traditional intramedullary devices, then bone fracture stabilization can be achieved, but alignment of fixation screws with respect to the intramedullary nail is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Guide wires serve as intermediary elements that are first inserted into predetermined trajectories within the bone, then the intramedullary nail is positioned around these guide wires. The guide wire receptacles at the proximal and distal ends provide intermediate positioning structures that guide the fixation screws along the correct trajectory. This intermediary approach ensures precise alignment without requiring direct visual or manual alignment during screw insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wires are inserted into the bone beforehand to establish the correct trajectory for fixation screws. The intramedultary nail is then positioned to engage these pre-established guide wires. This preliminary action of placing guide wires before nail insertion ensures that subsequent fixation screw insertion follows the predetermined optimal path, improving alignment precision
3Stability of the object's composition
If intramedullary nail with locking mechanisms is used, then bone fracture stabilization is improved, but the risk of rotation and cutout during implantation remains
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal and distal locking mechanisms with integrated guide wire receptacles are designed to prevent rotation and cutout before they can occur during the implantation process. The guide wire receptacles secure the guide wires in predetermined positions that resist rotational forces, while the locking mechanisms engage with the guide wires to provide preliminary anti-rotation action. This preliminary protective measure prevents rotation and cutout rather than correcting them after they occur
Data Source
AI summary
Intramedullary nails, aiming guide assemblies, and methods. The aiming guide assembly can include an aiming guide having a collet and a connection bolt configured to engage a connection bolt driver. The connection bolt may be self-retaining and engage with the connection bolt driver in a manner to prevent unintentional disengagement.