Long Bone Morphology Alteration Implant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reshaping long bones, such as osteotomy, may be unsatisfactory as they involve cutting the bone, which can be invasive and have limitations in effectively realigning the mechanical axis to alleviate cartilage degeneration and joint misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An implant system comprising longitudinal members with bone attachment ends and an adjusting member that allows selective movement to alter the distance between these ends, applying force to reshape the bone without fracturing it, using bone screws and a securing member with a conical head to achieve compression and tension in specific areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If osteotomy is performed to reshape the bone, then the mechanical axis can be realigned, but the procedure becomes invasive with potential complications
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is installed on the bone surface before any cutting occurs, establishing the desired mechanical axis alignment in advance. The longitudinal members are positioned and secured to the bone, creating a preliminary alignment structure that guides subsequent corrective actions without requiring invasive osteotomy procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system acts as an intermediary device between the bone and the desired alignment outcome. The longitudinal members and adjusting members serve as mediators that apply controlled forces and stresses to gradually reshape the bone's mechanical axis, replacing the need for direct cutting and regrowth procedures.
2Ease of operation
If a wedge is cut out to facilitate realignment, then bone growth can be directed, but the procedure loses reliability in maintaining precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic modification of the alignment configuration. The adjusting members enable precise control over the positioning of longitudinal members, allowing surgeons to fine-tune the mechanical axis alignment and make adjustments as needed during the procedure to ensure reliable and accurate realignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for precise parameter adjustments in terms of positioning, angle, and spacing of the longitudinal members. By changing these parameters through the adjusting members, the implant can be optimized for each specific case to achieve and maintain the desired mechanical axis alignment with high reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bone is cut and allowed to regrow, then the mechanical axis can be changed, but the process requires extended healing time
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system replaces the biological regrowth process with a mechanical adjustment system. Instead of relying on bone cutting and slow regrowth to achieve alignment, the longitudinal members and adjusting members provide immediate mechanical control over the bone's position and orientation, significantly reducing the time required to achieve and maintain proper mechanical axis alignment.
4Shape
If the implant compresses the bone, then morphology can be altered, but the force application must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system applies compression forces locally at specific sites on the bone where morphology alteration is needed. The longitudinal members are positioned to target specific regions, and the adjusting members enable localized force application, allowing precise control over which areas of the bone are compressed and shaped without affecting the entire bone structure.
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 implant system effectively alters the morphology of long bones by changing their mechanical axis, allowing for realignment without invasive cutting, promoting natural bone remodeling and maintaining the reshaped orientation post-implant removal.
Implementation Method 1
The second distance is less than the first distance causing a long bone to be compressed between the first and second bone attachment ends
Implementation Method 2
causing the long bone to be in compression at a first area of the long bone and be in tension at a second area of the long bone
Implementation Method 3
applying force to reshape the bone without fracturing it
Data Source
AI summary
An implant operable to alter morphology of a long bone can comprise a first longitudinal member, a second longitudinal member, and an adjusting member. The first longitudinal member can have a bone attachment end and a first connecting end. The second longitudinal member can have a second bone attachment end and a second connecting end. The adjusting member can connect to both of the first and second connecting ends. The adjusting member can be selectively moveable from a first implanted position where the first and second connecting ends are fixed to respective ends of the long bone and spaced apart a first distance to a second implanted position where the first and second connecting ends are fixed to the respective ends of the long bone and spaced apart a second distance. The second distance is less than the first distance causing a long bone to be compressed between the first and second bone attachment ends.