Nested Screw-In-Screw Bone Fixation for Stable Fracture Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation devices face issues with screws becoming dislodged during normal anatomical function, leading to compromised attachment and potential soft tissue irritation, particularly in complex fractures like distal radius fractures.
Innovation Solution
A bone fixation system comprising a first anchor with a head and shaft, a second anchor inserted through the head bore, and a third anchor inserted through the shaft bore, providing a secure and stable fixation without protruding hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional bone plates and screws are used to fix complex fractures, then bone stabilization is achieved, but screw dislodgment occurs during normal anatomical function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested anchor system where multiple anchors are inserted through boreholes in sequential order, with each anchor nested within the structure of the previous anchor. The first anchor is inserted through a first borehole, the second anchor through a second borehole, and the third anchor through a third borehole, creating a nested configuration that distributes mechanical loads and prevents dislodgment while maintaining bone stabilization.
2Strength
If bone plates are positioned on the exterior of the bone for fixation, then bone segments are joined together, but soft tissue irritation occurs due to hardware prominence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the prominent external bone plate component and replaces it with internal anchors that are inserted directly into the bone substance. The anchors are positioned within the bone marrow cavity and extend through controlled boreholes, eliminating the need for external plate prominence and thereby removing the source of soft tissue irritation while maintaining effective bone segment joining.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate anchors are used to provide stable fixation, then fracture stabilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple anchor functions into a coordinated nested system where the first, second, and third anchors work together as an integrated unit. The anchors are positioned at different locations within the bone marrow cavity and are connected through their respective boreholes, creating a unified fixation structure that provides enhanced stabilization while managing complexity through systematic design.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fixation system includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a third anchor. The first anchor is configured to be inserted into a first target location within a bone. The first anchor including a first head and a first shaft that extends from the first head and is configured to couple the first anchor to the first target location. The first head defines a head bore extending therethrough along a head bore axis. The first shaft defines a shaft bore extending therethrough along a shaft bore axis. The second anchor is sized to extend through the head bore and out of the head bore so as to couple to a second target location within the bone. The third anchor is sized to extend through the shaft bore and out of the shaft bore to a third target location within the bone.