Magnetically Actuated Distraction Screws Without Percutaneous Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distraction histogenesis procedures, particularly periosteal distraction osteogenesis, are cumbersome, painful, and difficult to adjust, with numerous external components and percutaneous sites, complicating surgery and increasing infection risk.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically actuated system comprising an anchor screw and actuation screw, allowing for internal distraction and retraction without external components, using a magnetic coupling with an external controller to adjust tissue separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional distraction histogenesis devices with external components are used, then distraction function is achieved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external components and percutaneous sites from the distraction device, extracting only the essential internal components (anchor screw, actuation screw, and magnet) that remain fully implanted within the patient's body. This eliminates the need for external hardware while preserving the distraction function through magnetic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical external adjustment mechanisms with a magnetic actuation system. An implantable magnet interacts with an external magnetic field to rotate the actuation screw, eliminating the need for external mechanical components, pins, or percutaneous access points while maintaining full distraction functionality.
2Ease of operation
If numerous external components and percutaneous sites are used, then distraction adjustment is achieved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates all percutaneous sites and external components that create infection pathways. The entire distraction mechanism is implanted subcutaneously, with only a magnetic field penetrating the skin to enable adjustment, removing the infection risks associated with external hardware and skin punctures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical percutaneous adjustment mechanisms with magnetic actuation. The external magnetic field can rotate the implantable magnet through the skin without breaking the skin barrier, allowing distraction adjustment while maintaining closed wound integrity and eliminating infection risks associated with percutaneous sites.
3Reliability
If traditional distraction devices are used, then tissue separation is achieved, but patient pain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all external components, pins, and percutaneous hardware that cause patient discomfort and pain. Only fully implanted components remain, eliminating pressure points, skin irritation, and mechanical discomfort associated with traditional external distraction devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical external adjustment mechanisms with magnetic actuation, eliminating the need for patients to manually manipulate external components or wear bulky external hardware. The magnetic system allows painless, remote adjustment while the patient undergoes normal daily activities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple percutaneous sites are used, then distraction control is achieved, but surgery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (anchoring, actuation, and magnetic coupling) into a single integrated implanted system. The anchor screw and actuation screw are implanted through one surgical site, and the magnet is integrated within the actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple separate implantation sites and reducing surgical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates multiple percutaneous sites and external components, reducing the surgical procedure to a single implantation event. The entire distraction mechanism is implanted through minimal incisions, and all subsequent adjustments are performed non-invasively through magnetic actuation, significantly reducing surgical complexity.
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
Reduces surgery complexity, minimizes painful external components, and decreases infection risk by enabling controlled, internal tissue distraction and retraction, promoting tissue regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetically actuated system comprising an anchor screw and actuation screw, allowing for internal distraction and retraction without external components, using a magnetic coupling with an external controller to adjust tissue separation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for performing a distraction histogenesis surgical procedure. A system includes an anchor screw comprising a hollow interior defined by a sidewall, wherein the anchor screw comprises internal actuation threading attached to an interior surface of the sidewall and further comprises external anchor threading attached to an exterior surface of the sidewall. The system includes an actuation screw comprising a screw shaft that comprises external actuation threading. The system includes a magnet coupled to the actuation screw. The system is such that the external actuation threading of the screw shaft corresponds with the internal actuation threading of the anchor screw. The system is such that rotation of the magnet causes synchronous rotation of the actuation screw.