Modular Locking Device for External Bone Fixator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current external fixators for bone fractures lack flexibility and ease of use, making it difficult to position and lock bone screws accurately, which can lead to increased surgery duration and risk of misalignment during the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A locking device comprising a locking element and a coupling element that allows manual orientation and positioning of bone screws, with a stabilizing mechanism to securely lock them in place, enabling versatile positioning and stable fixation without external fixing devices, while being simple and cost-effective to produce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional external fixators with integrated support guides and locking elements are used, then the structure provides stable fixation, but the operating field becomes cluttered and surgery duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate modular components: a coupling element that attaches to the support guide, and a locking element that secures the bone screw. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be applied after the support guide is in place, reducing clutter in the operating field during critical phases while maintaining stable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support guide is installed beforehand to establish the correct positioning and orientation for bone screw insertion. This preliminary action allows the locking element to be applied subsequently without requiring the entire locking mechanism to be present during the initial positioning phase, thereby reducing operating field clutter and surgery duration.
2Reliability
If multiple components (support guides, locking elements, connecting bars) are present during bone screw insertion, then stable fixation is achieved, but the application of bone screws becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device separates the positioning function (support guide) from the locking function (locking element). The support guide alone is sufficient for bone screw insertion, while the locking element is applied afterward. This segmentation simplifies the bone screw application process by removing unnecessary components from the operating field.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is extracted from the initial assembly and applied separately after the bone screw is inserted through the support guide. This extraction eliminates the complexity of managing integrated locking mechanisms during the critical bone screw insertion phase, improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If locking elements are integrated with support guides in traditional fixators, then stable fixation is provided, but flexibility in positioning bone screws is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element and locking element are separated, allowing independent adjustment of the locking element's position and orientation relative to the support guide. This segmentation provides flexibility in positioning bone screws for different fracture configurations while maintaining stable fixation through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element can be positioned and oriented dynamically according to the specific fracture geometry and treatment requirements, rather than being fixed in a predetermined configuration. This dynamic adaptability allows the same locking device to accommodate various fracture types and patient anatomies while providing reliable fixation.
4Reliability
If traditional locking devices with multiple connection elements are used, then stable fixation is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element and locking element are designed to work together as a simplified integrated system that attaches to the support guide. This merging of functions into a streamlined design reduces the number of separate components needed compared to traditional locking devices, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining stable fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device (5) of a bone screw (3) for an external fixator (1) for bone fractures is described herein, wherein the external fixator (1) comprises at least one support pin (202). The locking device (5) comprises a locking element (501) of the bone screw (3); a locking pin (502), which is configured to support the locking element (501), the locking element (501) being configured to rotate around the blocking pin in a bone screw positioning step; a coupling element (503), which is provided with a respective coupling seat (503b) configured to receive the support pin (202) by snap-fit coupling and to allow, during the bone screw (3) positioning step, a rotation of the locking device (5) around the support pin (202) and a sliding of the locking device (5) along the support pin.