Orthopaedic Guided Growth Device for Rotational Deformity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopaedic devices for correcting rotational deformities in bones, particularly those involving growth plates, often cause strain and damage to the growth plate due to excessive rotation per unit of bone growth, and they typically need to be removed before reaching their final position to prevent long-term damage.
Innovation Solution
An orthopaedic device comprising a first portion with at least two fixing points and a base with a securing point, and a second portion with a single fixing point, pivotally coupled around the securing point. This design allows for relative rotation of bone regions as the bone grows, reducing strain on the growth plate and enabling greater bone elongation before device removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-orthogonal tension band plate is used to guide rotational growth, then rotational deformity can be corrected, but excessive strain and damage occur to the growth plate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a first portion with at least two fixing points and a second portion with a single fixing point, pivotally coupled around a securing point. This segmentation allows the first portion to remain relatively stable while the second portion rotates, distributing mechanical stress and reducing strain on the growth plate during rotational correction
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal coupling between the first and second portions enables dynamic movement during bone growth. The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the second portion can rotate relative to the first portion, allowing controlled rotational correction that adapts to bone growth while minimizing harmful strain on the growth plate
2Reliability
If rotational correction is achieved through existing devices, then deformity is corrected, but the devices need to be removed before reaching final position to prevent long-term damage
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivotal coupling allows the device to accommodate bone growth and reach its final position without causing excessive strain. This enables the device to remain in place for the complete duration needed for full rotational correction and bone growth, eliminating the need for premature removal while still preventing long-term damage
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its operational parameters during bone growth. The pivotal coupling allows the angle and position relationship between the first and second portions to change dynamically as the bone grows and rotates, enabling the device to maintain optimal corrective function throughout the entire treatment period without requiring removal
3Reliability
If the first and second portions are pivotally coupled offset from the longitudinal axis, then relative rotation occurs during bone growth, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into two distinct portions with specific fixing point configurations (at least two in the first portion, one in the second portion), the offset pivotal coupling achieves controlled rotation during growth while maintaining structural simplicity through clear functional separation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3C
Figure 4A~5C
AI summary
An orthopaedic device for securing between first and second regions of bone separated by a growth plate, the orthopaedic device comprising: a first portion to secure to a first fixing location on the first bone region; a second portion to secure to a second fixing location on the second bone region, the first fixing location and the second fixing location being laterally offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the bone; wherein the first and second portions are pivotally coupled between a first coupling location on the first portion and a second coupling location on the second portion such that movement of the first and second portions away from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bone causes relative rotation of the first bone region and the second bone region thereby reducing the lateral offset of the first location and the second location.