Intramedullary Nail Positioning Device for Screw Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The exact positioning of interlocking screws in intramedullary nails for long bone fractures requires significant surgical experience, as existing technologies lack precise guidance and alignment tools, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with a guide bow and adjusting device, featuring a targeting mechanism, sleeve guide, and snap-in arrangement, which allows for precise alignment and secure fixation of interlocking screws relative to the intramedullary nail, enabling correction of minor misalignments and adaptation to individual anatomical situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a positioning device with guide bow and targeting mechanism is introduced, then positioning precision of interlocking screws is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide bow as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the surgeon's positioning intent and the actual screw placement. The guide bow with its targeting mechanism serves as a mediator that translates anatomical landmarks and pre-planned screw trajectories into precise physical guidance for screw insertion, thereby improving positioning precision without requiring the surgeon to directly manipulate complex positioning tools
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device allows for preliminary positioning and verification of screw trajectories before actual screw insertion. The guide bow can be placed and adjusted in advance to establish the correct orientation and depth for interlocking screws, enabling the surgeon to verify positioning accuracy before committing to the final fixation, thus improving precision while keeping the intervention controlled and manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sleeve guide with snap-in arrangement is used, then adaptability to individual anatomy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve guide is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be adjusted and repositioned along the intramedullary nail to accommodate different anatomical variations and fracture patterns. The snap-in arrangement provides discrete stable positions that maintain adaptability while offering tactile feedback and operational simplicity, resolving the contradiction between customization and ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-in arrangement utilizes the inherent geometry and friction characteristics of the guide bow and sleeve interface to automatically maintain positioning once engaged. The device serves itself by providing natural mechanical stops and alignment features that guide the surgeon's actions without requiring complex control mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability through the adjustable sleeve position
3Reliability
If precise alignment tools are provided, then reliability of fracture fixation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bow serves multiple functions within a single device structure: it provides alignment guidance for interlocking screws, acts as a reference for depth control, and offers a stable platform for instrument attachment. This multi-functionality improves reliability by ensuring consistent performance across different surgical steps without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements serve multiple purposes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a positioning device (100, 100′, 100″) for securing an intramedullary nail (19) in a long bone, said positioning device comprising a guide bow (1), with an adjusting device (3) and a sleeve guide (2), wherein the adjusting device (3) has a targeting device (5); and wherein the targeting device (5) is designed to receive a locking device (21) or an instrument (23) for acting on the locking device (21); and wherein the sleeve guide (2) has a sleeve (7), which sleeve (7) is mounted in the sleeve guide (2) such that it can be rotated and/or slid relative to the sleeve guide (2); and wherein the sleeve (7) has a longitudinal through-opening for receiving a guiding device therein.