Microfracture Pick Strike Plate and Punch Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfracture pick systems face challenges in effectively creating microfractures in bone surfaces without the strike tip skiving, which can hinder the repair of articular cartilage during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The microfracture pick system incorporates a strike plate and a punch extension that applies an off-axis impact force to the microfracture pick, reducing the risk of skiving by aligning the impact force with the strike tip's axis, thereby facilitating the creation of microfractures for articular cartilage repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional microfracture pick is used to create microfractures in bone, then the strike tip may skive across the bone surface, but this skiving prevents effective microfracture creation and hinders articular cartilage repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a punch extension that applies impact force from a different dimensional orientation (off-axis) relative to the strike tip. This dimensional change in force application direction prevents the strike tip from skiving across the bone surface by aligning the impact force with the strike tip's axis, thereby resolving the skiving problem while maintaining effective microfracture creation
Solution Approach 2:
The punch extension serves as an intermediary component between the applied impact force and the strike tip. By introducing this intermediate element, the force is transmitted through the punch extension rather than directly to the strike tip, allowing the impact force to be aligned with the strike tip axis and preventing skiving while ensuring effective microfracture formation
2Manufacturing precision
If the strike tip is designed to penetrate bone effectively, then microfractures can be created, but the strike tip may skive across the bone surface instead of creating controlled fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The punch extension introduces a new dimensional aspect to force application by positioning the impact force off-axis relative to the strike tip. This dimensional change ensures that the impact force aligns with the strike tip axis, preventing skiving and enabling precise control of microfracture creation while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of force application direction by introducing the punch extension at an off-axis angle. This parameter change in the direction of impact force transmission ensures that the force is applied along the strike tip axis rather than perpendicular to it, preventing skiving and improving both precision and ease of operation
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
This design enhances the precision and effectiveness of microfracture creation, allowing for better blood clotting and fibrocartilage formation, thereby improving the repair of articular cartilage associated with the bone surface.
Implementation Method 1
The punch extension is configured to apply an impact force to a portion of the microfracture pick. Striking the punch extension applies an off-axis impact force to the microfracture pick for forming a microfracture in a bone surface.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary microfracture pick systems may include a microfracture pick, a strike plate, and a punch extension. The strike plate may be secured to a handle of the microfracture pick, and the punch extension is connectable to the strike plate. The punch extension is configured to apply an “off-axis” impact force to the microfracture pick. The “off-axis” impact force is generally aligned with an axis of a strike tip of the microfracture pick, thereby substantially preventing the strike tip from skiving across a bone surface during surgical uses.