Magnetic External Fixation Device for Bone Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external fixation devices for treating articular cartilage damage have complex structures with numerous parts, and devices using magnets cannot separate bone portions in joints, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An external fixation device with a simplified structure using permanent magnets and limiter portions to repel each other, allowing separation of bone portions and reducing load on the damaged area, while a pin fixture reduces unnecessary movement and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external fixation device includes a large number of parts to mechanically fix and separate bone portions, then the separation function is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fixation mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system. Permanent magnets generate magnetic forces that hold pins in place and separate bone portions without requiring complex mechanical fasteners, joints, or locking mechanisms. This substitution of magnetic fields for mechanical systems directly reduces device complexity while maintaining the separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent magnets in the invention serve multiple functions simultaneously: they hold the pins securely in the bone, separate the first and second bone portions, and provide stable fixation without requiring additional mechanical components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts needed in the device.
2Device complexity
If an external fixation device uses magnets to reduce parts, then the structure is simplified, but the magnets contract to each other and cannot separate bone portions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using opposite magnetic poles (N-S) that would attract and contract together, the invention uses like poles (N-N or S-S) that repel each other. This inversion of the magnetic pole configuration transforms the attractive force into a repulsive force, enabling the magnets to push bone portions apart while maintaining stable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the magnetic field parameters by configuring the polarity of the permanent magnets. By setting the same poles to face each other, the magnetic interaction parameter changes from attraction to repulsion, fundamentally altering the function from contraction to separation while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 device effectively treats articular cartilage damage by reducing the number of parts, simplifying the structure, and minimizing load on the damaged area, allowing for smoother joint movement and reduced risk of further damage.
Implementation Method 1
the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are disposed with their same poles opposed to each other... the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet repulse against each other, moving away from each other in the direction of the repulsion force
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
A fixation device set S includes an external fixation device 10 which is attached on one end-side of first and second pins P1, P2; and a pin fixture 100 which is attached on the other end-side thereof. The external fixation device 10 includes a first and a second permanent magnets 32, 34 disposed with their same poles opposed to each other; a first holding portion 14 provided in the first permanent magnet 34; a second holding portion 36 provided in the second permanent magnet 34; first limiter portions 16a, 16b sandwiching the first and the second permanent magnets 32, 34 from a second direction; and second limiter portions 66 connecting the first limiter portions 16a, 16b to each other. The first pins P1 are inserted through through-holes 20 in the first holding portion 14, whereas the second holding portion 36 is attached to the second pin P2 via a ball joint 50.