Modular Bone Fixation Linkage Angulation for Contour Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone fixation implants face challenges in achieving a proper fit to the patient's bone contour, particularly in mandibular reconstruction, due to their rigid and non-adaptable design, which can lead to discomfort and mechanical stress issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular bone fixation linkage system comprising interconnected links with angulatable ends, featuring insertion and receptacle members that allow for monolithic necks, enabling the system to conform to the bone contour by angulating about multiple axes, thereby providing a secure and adaptable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid materials are used for bone fixation implants to provide strength and withstand mechanical stress, then the implant strength is improved, but the ability to conform to patient's bone contour deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fixation implant is divided into multiple segments or links that can be interconnected. Each segment maintains the strength of rigid material while the collection of segments can be configured to match the patient's bone contour. The segments are connected through articulating joints that allow adjustment of angles and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates dynamic elements such as articulating joints and angulatable connections that allow the rigid segments to be positioned at various angles relative to each other. This enables the implant to adapt to different bone contours while maintaining the structural integrity of each individual segment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid materials are used for bone fixation implants to ensure mechanical stability, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the ease of shaping to patient's bone contour deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is manufactured as multiple standardized rigid segments that can be produced with high precision using conventional manufacturing processes. Each segment is easy to manufacture with consistent properties, and the overall shape is achieved through the configuration of these segments rather than custom shaping of a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating joints and angulatable connections are designed as standardized components that can be assembled in various configurations. This modular approach with standardized dynamic joints simplifies the manufacturing process compared to custom-shaping rigid materials, while maintaining mechanical stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a custom-shaped rigid implant is fabricated to fit bone contour, then the adaptability to bone contour is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a single complex custom-shaped implant, the solution segments the implant into multiple simpler standardized components. Each segment has a relatively simple geometry that is easy to manufacture, and the complex overall shape is achieved through the arrangement and angulation of these simpler segments.
4Reliability
If rigid materials are used for bone fixation implants, then the reliability withstanding mechanical stress is improved, but the discomfort to patient due to improper fit worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates dynamic articulating joints that allow the rigid segments to be positioned to precisely match the patient's bone contour. This ensures proper fit that prevents patient discomfort while maintaining the mechanical reliability of the rigid materials. The dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of both fit and structural integrity.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A modular bone fixation linkage includes a plurality of interconnected links that can angulate with respect to an adjacent one of the links about at least one axis, such as three axes. The links can further include fixation holes that are configured to receive bone anchors that secure the links to an underlying anatomical structure.