Magnetic Telescopic Distraction Implant for Non-Invasive Bone Lengthening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for scoliosis, such as braces and fusion surgeries, have limitations in effectiveness and patient compliance, while distraction osteogenesis methods are cumbersome and risky, and there is a need for less invasive and more effective solutions for spinal and limb lengthening.
Innovation Solution
An implantable distraction device with a housing and two telescopically displaceable rods, actuated by a magnetic drive system, allowing controlled and non-invasive adjustment to lengthen bones or residual limbs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion surgery is performed to treat scoliosis, then spinal alignment is corrected, but surgical complexity and patient recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the distraction function from complex fusion surgery by using a standalone distraction device with telescoping rods that can lengthen bone without requiring spinal fusion, thereby correcting alignment while reducing surgical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of fusion surgery with a magnetically actuated distraction system where an external magnetic drive system controls internal rods to perform bone lengthening, substituting complex surgical mechanics with controllable magnetic actuation
2Length of moving object
If distraction osteogenesis is used to lengthen bone, then bone length increases, but treatment duration and number of surgical interventions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous bone lengthening through a magnetically actuated distraction device that can be adjusted repeatedly without surgery, maintaining continuous distraction force to stimulate bone growth while reducing treatment duration between interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary bone distraction during childhood before skeletal maturity, taking advantage of growth potential to achieve maximum lengthening with minimal subsequent intervention, thereby reducing total treatment duration
3Ease of operation
If external magnetic drive system is used to actuate distraction device, then non-invasive adjustment is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field as an intermediary between the external drive system and internal distraction rods, allowing non-invasive actuation where magnetic particles or magnetized components inside the device respond to external magnetic fields without requiring physical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the magnetic actuation mechanism within the distraction device structure, where internal rods are contained within a housing that responds to external magnetic fields, creating a compact integrated system that appears simple externally but contains sophisticated actuation mechanisms
4Ease of manufacture
If minimally invasive approach is used for distraction device implantation, then patient recovery is improved, but precision of bone length adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual surgical adjustment with magnetic actuation that can precisely control rod displacement, enabling accurate bone length adjustment through non-contact magnetic forces that apply controlled distraction without requiring complex mechanical linkages
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 significant bone length adjustment, up to 100% of the device's length, with minimal invasiveness and reduced surgical interventions, improving treatment outcomes for scoliosis and limb length discrepancies.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic drive system, allowing controlled and non-invasive adjustment to lengthen bones or residual limbs
Data Source
AI summary
A system for moving a portion of a patient's body including a housing having a first cavity extending along a longitudinal axis, a first distraction rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the first distraction rod and the housing being telescopically displaceable with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis, the first distraction rod having a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis, a second distraction rod having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to be telescopically displaceable from within the second cavity along the longitudinal axis, and a drive system configured to move the first distraction rod in relation to the housing and to move the second distraction rod in relation to the first distraction rod.