Offset Intramedullary Nail Locking Holes for Freehand Screw Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion of locking screws into intramedullary nails is challenging due to the need for precise positioning and orientation of transverse locking holes, requiring significant radiation and skilled personnel, leading to increased operation time and potential deformation or displacement of the nail.
Innovation Solution
An intramedullary nail design featuring a locking hole arrangement with offset bores that allow for the insertion of a locking member at a non-zero angle, providing frictional engagement and stable fixation, reducing the need for precise alignment and simplifying the insertion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking screws are inserted through transverse locking holes in the leading end portion of intramedullary nails, then angular stable fixation is achieved, but the procedure requires significant radiation, skilled personnel, and increased operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hole arrangement is segmented into multiple holes (first locking hole, second locking hole, third locking hole) positioned at different locations and orientations along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the locking member to engage multiple holes sequentially, achieving angular stable fixation through progressive insertion rather than requiring precise single-hole alignment, thereby reducing operation time and radiation exposure
2Ease of operation
If locking screws are inserted freehand through transverse locking holes, then the procedure is simpler, but the nail is displaced or deformed to accommodate the locking screw
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between freehand insertion simplicity and precise positioning requirements. The locking member with its specific geometry (including head portion and shank portion) facilitates engagement with multiple locking holes while maintaining nail position, allowing easier insertion without sacrificing positioning accuracy
3Reliability
If multiple screws are inserted through adjacent holes to provide angle-stable fixation, then stable locking is achieved, but the insertion process becomes more difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member combines multiple functional elements into a single component that can engage with multiple locking holes simultaneously or sequentially. By merging the locking function across multiple holes into one integrated locking member design, the system achieves angle-stable fixation while simplifying the insertion process compared to inserting multiple separate screws
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
This design facilitates easier and faster locking of the non-driving end portion of intramedullary nails, reducing operation time and costs while ensuring stable fixation without movement of the screw relative to the nail.
Implementation Method 1
providing frictional engagement and stable fixation
Data Source
AI summary
A system is proposed including an intramedullary nail with a longitudinal nail axis, a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion opposite to the first lateral portion, and a longitudinal bore. The nail has a locking hole arrangement having a first bore being formed in the first lateral portion and a second bore being formed in the second lateral portion. An axis of the first bore and an axis of the second bore are arranged with an offset from each other, and are arranged so that a locking member such as a screw may frictionally engage within both the first bore and the second bore.