Intramedullary Osteotomy Shifter for Precise Hallux Valgus Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical technologies face difficulties in achieving controlled lateral translation and reproducible targeting of osteotomy fragments during minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus deformity correction, often requiring manual hand tools and lacking precise screw trajectory guidance.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism comprising an intramedullary hook, skin-interfacing wedges, and screw mechanisms, along with a targeting arm, to facilitate controlled lateralization and stabilization of osteotomy fragments, allowing for precise screw placement without manual manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual hand tools are used to hold bones in place during osteotomy, then lateral translation can be achieved, but the bones may shift relative to one another and the procedure lacks precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intramedullary member as an intermediary device inserted into the medullary canal of the proximal bone fragment. This member serves as a stable anchor point that mediates between the bone and the external adjustment mechanism, allowing precise control of lateral translation while maintaining reliable bone position through the screw mechanism's locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw mechanism enables self-adjusting lateral translation of the capital fragment. By rotating the screw, the distance between the intramedullary member and the skin-interfacing wedge changes, automatically adjusting and maintaining the desired lateral position without requiring continuous manual intervention or additional tools to hold the bones in place.
2Ease of operation
If traditional K-wires are used to hold metatarsal head during screw fixation, then positioning can be achieved, but achieving desired K-wire trajectory is difficult and requires additional guiding instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary member serves multiple functions: it acts as an anchor for the screw mechanism to control lateral translation, and simultaneously serves as a guide for K-wire insertion. The K-wire is inserted through the intramedullary member, which automatically ensures the desired trajectory without requiring separate guiding instruments, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If current surgical technology is used for osteotomy fragment targeting, then screw fixation can be performed, but reproducible and easy targeting of capital fragment is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The skin-interfacing wedge acts as an external mediator that connects to the intramedullary member inside the bone. This wedge provides a stable external reference point that facilitates easy targeting and positioning of the capital fragment. The screw mechanism connecting the wedge to the intramedullary member ensures reproducible positioning, making capital fragment targeting both precise and operationally simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables controlled and reproducible lateral translation and stabilization of osteotomy fragments, ensuring accurate screw placement and fixation, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of minimally invasive surgical procedures for hallux valgus correction.
Implementation Method 1
a screw mechanism to change the relative position of these two components
Data Source
AI summary
A bone alignment system to correct a hallux valgus deformity includes a main body including an intramedullary (IM) hook, the IM hook including an end portion sized and configured to be inserted into an intramedullary canal of at least one of a first fragment or a second fragment of a bisected metatarsal; and a screw assembly including a screw threaded through the main body and a skin-interfacing portion attached to a first end of the screw, wherein the main body defines an aperture that extends through the main body and is sized and configured to guide a guide pin for anchoring the main body to the metatarsal.