Shape Memory Orthopedic Staple Removal With Parallel-Leg Recompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic staples face challenges in efficiently compressing and maintaining bone fragments during healing, particularly when gaps exist between bone pieces, and there is a need for improved methods to insert and remove staples without compromising compression force.
Innovation Solution
The development of an orthopedic drill guide assembly and bone staple inserter kit that allows for precise predrilling and temporary compression of bone fragments, using adjustable drill guides and inserter tools to facilitate the insertion and removal of orthopedic staples with varying sizes and shapes, including shape memory materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If orthopedic staples are used to compress bone fragments, then bone stabilization is improved, but maintaining consistent compression force is difficult when gaps exist between bone pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The staple bridge is designed with dynamic compliance features including a non-linearly extending configuration and a cavity that allows deformation. This enables the bridge to adapt its shape and maintain compression force dynamically as bone fragments move or heal, ensuring reliable stabilization despite gaps between bone pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple utilizes shape memory material properties that change physical parameters (shape, stiffness) in response to environmental conditions. The bridge portion transitions between different structural states to maintain optimal compression force, changing its mechanical properties to compensate for gaps and maintain reliable bone fragment approximation.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjustable drill guides are used for precise hole drilling, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that can accommodate different staple sizes and drilling requirements. The adjustable arms and drill guide sleeves serve multiple purposes: positioning for hole drilling, setting compression force, and adapting to various bone geometries, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill guide features retractable arms with adjustable spacing that can be dynamically reconfigured for different drilling scenarios. The arms can be extended or retracted to match the specific dimensions of the staple and bone geometry, providing precise positioning without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shape memory materials are used in staples, then adaptability to bone gaps is improved, but insertion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory staple is pre-formed with a non-linearly extending bridge configuration during manufacturing. This preliminary shaping allows the staple to be inserted in a compressed state and then automatically expand to the correct configuration once deployed, simplifying the insertion process while maintaining high adaptability to bone gaps through the shape memory effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory material undergoes a phase transition when exposed to body temperature or specific stimuli, transforming from a compressed insertion state to an expanded functional state. This phase change enables the staple to adapt to bone gaps automatically after insertion, reducing the complexity of the insertion procedure while maintaining excellent adaptability.
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 effective compression and stabilization of bone fragments using adjustable drill guides and inserter tools, ensuring consistent compression force and ease of staple insertion and removal, even in cases with gaps between bone pieces.
Implementation Method 1
the bridge portion comprising a shape memory material and configured to be movable between an inserted shape and a relaxed shape
Data Source
AI summary
A method to remove a memory metal orthopedic staple from that is implanted in a bone repair site is disclosed. The orthopedic staple is in its relaxed state and the method includes (a) attaching an inserter tool/cartridge assembly to the orthopedic staple's bridge portion; (b) actuating the inserter tool to change the orthopedic staple from its relaxed state to its insertion state in which the two legs of the orthopedic staple are substantially parallel to each other; and (c) removing the orthopedic staple from the bone repair site.