Intramedullary Nail Alignment Sight for X-Ray Tilt Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Correct positioning of an intramedullary nail in the femur and guiding a guide wire into the femoral head is challenging due to difficulties in aligning the X-ray image line of sight with the target axis, leading to misalignment and increased radiation exposure and treatment time.
Innovation Solution
The alignment sight includes a second indicator structure that decouples the line of sight tilting from the first alignment plane, allowing easy detection and correction of orthogonal tilting in the X-ray image, simplifying the alignment process without requiring the bone drill device to be inserted for adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the alignment sight uses only a first indicator structure to show the target axis path, then the alignment process requires complex manual adjustment of the X-ray line of sight, but this leads to extended treatment time and increased radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment sight is segmented into two distinct indicator structures: a first indicator structure (U-shaped depression) that shows the target axis path when the line of sight is correct, and a second indicator structure (tilt indicator with asymmetric markings) that specifically indicates orthogonal tilting of the line of sight. This segmentation allows surgeons to quickly identify alignment status without complex manual adjustment, reducing treatment time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The second indicator structure acts as an intermediary element that translates the complex three-dimensional alignment relationship between the X-ray line of sight and the target axis into a simple two-dimensional visual cue on the X-ray image. The asymmetric markings on the tilt indicator provide immediate feedback about orthogonal tilting, serving as a mediator that simplifies the alignment process and reduces the need for time-consuming manual adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If the surgeon manually adjusts the X-ray line of sight to align with the target axis using only a first indicator structure, then alignment can be achieved, but this requires pronounced skill and experience, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The second indicator structure serves as an intermediary that translates complex spatial alignment relationships into simple visual feedback. The asymmetric markings clearly indicate the direction and presence of orthogonal tilting, making the alignment process intuitive and reducing the skill threshold required for accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The second indicator structure uses visual contrast and asymmetric marking patterns (analogous to color changes in providing visual feedback) to immediately communicate alignment status. When the line of sight is orthogonally tilted, the asymmetric markings create a visually distinct pattern that is easy to recognize, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment skills.
3Device complexity
If the first indicator structure is used without a second indicator structure, then the alignment process is simpler in design, but the resolution capacity for detecting line of sight misalignment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment sight is divided into two functional segments: the first indicator structure for showing the target axis path and the second indicator structure for detecting orthogonal tilting. This segmentation allows each indicator to specialize in its specific function, improving detection precision while keeping the overall design manageable through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each indicator structure has localized specialized functionality: the first indicator (U-shaped depression) is optimized for showing the target axis path, while the second indicator (tilt indicator with asymmetric markings) is optimized for detecting orthogonal tilting. This local quality specialization ensures high detection precision for each specific alignment aspect without requiring the entire device to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Positioning device and method for positioning and/or fixing a bone implant, e.g., an intramedullary nail. The positioning device has a curved handle, having a target guide defining a target axis for guiding a bone drill device, a connection element for releasably connecting the bone implant to the curved handle and an alignment sight. The alignment sight has a first indicator for indicating the course of the target axis in a second X-ray image of the alignment sight along a target line of sight, which lies in a first alignment plane formed by the target axis and the first indicator structure. To provide an optimized handling, the alignment sight has a second indicator structure for indicating an orthogonal tilting of the line of sight from the first alignment plane in a first X-ray image of the alignment sight along a line of sight which deviates from the target line of sight.