Multiple-Track Bone Fixator for Precise Segment Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external fixation methods, such as rings and halos, are cumbersome and psychologically daunting for patients, and there is a need for a simpler, elegant, and versatile fixator that allows for precise orthopedic manipulation of bones or bone fragments for optimal regrowth, realignment, and healing, especially in cases requiring primarily two-dimensional repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A device with rotatable rods and movable carriages that are threadably coupled to implantable devices on bone segments, allowing for precise adjustment of bone positions, and includes features like gears and platforms to facilitate independent movement and positioning of half pins or wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rings and halos are used for external fixation, then bone repositioning and healing can be achieved, but the device becomes cumbersome and psychologically daunting for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional ring or halo structure is segmented into multiple independent rods that can be selectively used. The device includes a first rod and a second rod that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the system to provide stable fixation without requiring a complete ring or halo structure. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential fixation function from the traditional ring/halo structure and implements it through simpler rod-based components. By taking out only the necessary elements (rods with carriages) and eliminating unnecessary components (full rings, halos, extensive clothing modifications), the device achieves reliable bone repositioning with reduced complexity and improved patient comfort.
2Reliability
If traditional rings and halos are used for external fixation, then bone repositioning can be achieved, but patient dressing and undressing become difficult requiring extensive clothing modification
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into separate rod components rather than a continuous ring or halo. This segmentation allows the device to be more compact and less intrusive, enabling patients to dress and undress more easily without requiring extensive clothing modifications while still providing precise bone setting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the two-dimensional plane of a ring to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple rods. This dimensional change allows the fixation structure to be more space-efficient and less obstructive to patient movement and clothing, while maintaining the precision needed for bone setting through the rod-carriage-platform configuration.
3Measurement precision
If multiple rods with movable carriages are used, then precise adjustment of bone positions is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod-carriage-platform configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: the rods provide structural support and positioning, the movable carriages enable precise adjustment along the rod length, and the platforms offer attachment points for bone fixation. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision for bone position adjustment without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each component performs several related tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriages are designed to be movable along the rods rather than fixed, enabling dynamic adjustment of bone positions. This dynamic capability allows precise positioning at multiple locations along the rod length while using a standardized rod-carriage-platform module, thereby achieving high adjustment precision without linearly increasing overall system complexity.
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 precise and versatile orthopedic manipulation of bone segments with a simpler and more patient-friendly fixator, providing effective bone repositioning and healing without the bulk of traditional fixators.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of each rod being externally threaded. The device further includes a movable carriage threadably coupled to the threaded portion of one of the rods
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention presents various embodiments showing combination of a body, rods, platforms and pin (or wire) clamps for the relative fixation of separated bone segment. In some embodiments there is an overall linear arrangement of the assemblies. The rods are threaded and extend lengthwise throughout a substantial portion of the length of the body. Engaged with the threaded rods are one or more moveable platforms, with each moveable platform engaging one or more pin clamps. Preferably each moveable platform includes at least one tapped (generally threaded) hole and at least one smooth through-hole in each moveable platform, so that each moveable platform engages with one threaded rod via the tapped hole but can pass freely along the other threaded rod. Each body also typically bears at least one stationary platform, generally at or near one end of the device.