Non-invasive Laser Bone Screw Positioning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for distal screw fixation in lower extremity fractures are inefficient, leading to increased operative time, radiation exposure, and high incidence of screw misplacement, with existing light-based positioning techniques posing health risks and incompatibility with human tissue.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive positioning system using a laser-based in vitro locator with adjustable brightness and polarized light to align the focusing spots of incident and penetrated light with the through-hole, reducing light scattering and radiation exposure, and enabling precise screw placement through a through-hole in the intramedullary nail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If free-hand technique with fluoroscopy is used for distal screw fixation, then screw placement can be achieved, but operative time increases and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fluoroscopy-based positioning system with an optical laser-based positioning system. The laser positioning device uses light to project reference lines and markers that guide screw insertion, eliminating the need for continuous fluoroscopy imaging and thereby reducing both operative time and radiation exposure while maintaining placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser positioning device establishes reference lines and markers before screw insertion. By pre-defining the optimal screw trajectory and position using laser projections on the bone surface, the surgeon can directly follow these guides without needing intraoperative fluoroscopy verification, thus reducing operative time and radiation exposure.
2Measurement precision
If in vivo light positioning is used, then positioning can be achieved, but health risks and tissue damage occur due to heat radiation and light bulb damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an external laser positioning device that projects light through or onto the tissue from outside the body, rather than placing light sources inside the body. This intermediary external positioning system provides the necessary optical references without subjecting internal tissues to the harmful heat radiation and mechanical damage risks associated with in vivo light bulbs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical in vivo light bulb positioning system with an external optical laser system. The laser provides sufficient brightness and precision for positioning without the heat generation and tissue compatibility issues of incandescent bulbs placed within the body, thereby eliminating heat radiation damage while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If existing targeting systems are used, then screw positioning can be achieved, but the systems are expensive and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical targeting systems with a simplified optical laser positioning device. The laser system uses light projections and simple visual markers to define screw trajectories, eliminating the need for complex mechanical guides, computer navigation systems, or specialized training, thereby reducing both cost and operational difficulty while maintaining positioning accuracy.
4Illumination intensity
If high power light source is used for penetration, then positioning can be achieved, but heat radiation damages body tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an external laser positioning device that projects light through or onto the tissue from outside the body. This external intermediary system provides sufficient optical penetration and visibility for positioning without concentrating high power within the tissue, thereby avoiding the heat radiation damage that would result from using high power in vivo light sources.
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
The system significantly reduces operative time, minimizes screw misplacement, and decreases radiation exposure while ensuring accurate positioning of screws in bone marrow, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one light source emits a laser with a wavelength to the muscle tissue to form an incident light and running through the muscle tissue and the bone to form a penetrated light
Implementation Method 2
the optical lens and the positioning ring portion are used to move and determine the positioning direction of the optical holder according to focusing spot of the incident light and focusing spot of the penetrated light
Implementation Method 3
A non-invasive positioning system using a laser-based in vitro locator with adjustable brightness and polarized light to align the focusing spots of incident and penetrated light with the through-hole, reducing light scattering
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-invasive positioning system for screwing and fixing a bone, where a intramedullary nail is inserted to marrow of the bone, and the intramedullary nail comprises a wall and at least one through-hole through the wall for screwing and fixing by at least one corresponding set screw, the system comprises: an in vitro locator having at least one light source to emit a laser with a wavelength to the muscle tissue to form an incident light and running through the muscle tissue and the bone to form a penetrated light, an optical holder having an optical lens and a positioning ring portion for removably disposing the optical lens, wherein the focusing spot of the incident light, the focusing spot of the penetrated light, and the at least one through-hole are aligned in a line to confirm a linear position for screwing and fixing the intramedullary nail.