Lesser Trochanter Basket Fixation for Comminuted Fracture Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for artificial hip joint replacement surgery are limited in their ability to securely fix comminuted fractures of the femoral lesser trochanter, leading to instability and complications, especially when the surrounding area is severely damaged, making the surgery challenging and often contraindicated.

Innovation Solution

A lesser trochanter securing device comprising a basket portion that covers and buttresses the lesser trochanter and a buttress plating portion extending towards the femoral shaft, providing a firm fixation using a wire or bone cement, allowing for secure attachment to the femoral shaft and surrounding area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fixation methods are used for comminuted fractures of the femoral lesser trochanter, then the surgery can be performed, but the fixation stability is insufficient leading to refracture and surgical failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidapplicability to comminuted fractures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The securing device is divided into two functional segments: a basket portion for enveloping and stabilizing the comminuted lesser trochanter fragments, and a buttress plating portion for providing rigid fixation to the femoral shaft. This segmentation allows each part to address specific aspects of the fracture, thereby improving overall fixation stability while maintaining adaptability to comminuted fracture patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basket portion is designed to nest around and envelop the comminuted lesser trochanter fragments, with the wires forming a cage-like structure that contains the bone fragments. This nesting configuration provides stable fixation by distributing forces across multiple fragments while maintaining the structural integrity needed for surgical success.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the lesser trochanter is severely damaged by osteoporosis or comminution, then the basement buttressing the artificial structure disappears, but the invention restores stability through the basket and plating structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical stabilityVSAvoidbone quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The basket portion is configured to preliminarily stabilize the comminuted lesser trochanter fragments before final fixation is achieved. By providing initial structural support and fragment alignment, the device creates a stable foundation for the artificial hip structure, compensating for the poor bone quality caused by osteoporosis or comminution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The securing device combines different material properties and structural configurations: the basket portion uses flexible wires that can conform to and stabilize irregular fracture patterns, while the buttress plating portion provides rigid structural support. This composite approach allows the device to adapt to varying bone qualities and provide reliable fixation despite poor underlying bone strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods are used, then the procedure is simpler, but the artificial joint may be released, bone may not attach, or leg may be shortened requiring revision surgery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical simplicityVSAvoidsurgical outcome
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The securing device merges the functions of fragment stabilization (basket portion) and rigid fixation (buttress plating portion) into a single integrated construct. This combination allows the surgeon to address both the comminuted fragments and the need for stable fixation in one procedure, improving surgical outcomes without significantly increasing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2606861B1Femoral lesser trochanter securing device for firmly securing the lesser trochanter and the surrounds and stably strengthening the same so as to allow artificial hip replacement surgery
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 PARK JEESUN
  • EP2606861B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2606861B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2606861B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a lesser trochanter securing device and an artificial joint device. The device includes a basket portion which covers a lesser trochanter, and a buttress plating portion which is joined to a lower edge of the basket portion, extends toward a femoral shaft and is secured and joined to the femoral shaft.