Intramedullary Nail Locking Screw Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking intramedullary nails require precise placement of locking screws, which is challenging due to the need for significant surgical experience, as the exact positioning of these screws in the medullary nail within the long bone is intricate and demanding.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an elongate shaft with openings for locking devices and receiving devices, featuring a support body that is releasably connected in a form-fitting manner to prevent rotation of the locking screws, utilizing a cassette-shaped insert and groove-web connections to secure the screws in place, ensuring accurate alignment and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional locking intramedullary nails with discrete openings are used, then the locking screws can be secured at predetermined positions, but the surgeon requires considerable experience and skill for precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces receiving elements as intermediary components between the openings and the locking screws. These receiving elements act as mediators that guide and constrain the locking screws to precise positions, eliminating the need for surgeon skill in positioning. The receiving elements translate the simple act of inserting a screw into an automatically positioned locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If locking screws are placed in discrete openings at predetermined positions, then the connection between bone and nail is secured, but the positioning requires considerable surgical experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking mechanism into separate functional segments: the openings in the nail, the receiving elements, and the locking screws. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the receiving elements providing the positioning function and the openings providing the structural integration, thereby achieving reliable connection without excessive overall complexity.
3Measurement precision
If receiving elements are added to improve locking screw positioning, then positioning precision is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the receiving elements: they serve as positioning guides, structural supports, and integration interfaces between the openings and locking screws. By combining these functions into single components rather than using separate elements for each function, the design achieves high positioning precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking intramedullary nail (100) for introduction into the medullary space of a tubular bone for the purpose of treating bone fractures and/or for stiffening joints. The locking intramedullary nail (100) comprises an elongate shaft (1) with at least one opening (3) for receiving at least one locking device, and at least one receiving means (5) for receiving the locking device. The receiving means (5) is arranged in the area of the opening (3). The support body (7) is arranged in contact with a receiving means (5). The support body (5) is in part releasably connected with a form fit to the elongate shaft (1) and/or in part releasably connected with a form fit to a cassette-shaped insert (23), which can be positioned in the elongate shaft (1). The method for immobilizing a receiving means (5) of a locking intramedullary nail (100) comprises the step of pressing the receiving means (5) and a support body (7) by means of a pressing body, which is arranged on an axial end region of the locking intramedullary nail (100).