Orthopedic Cable Crimping Tool with Uniaxial Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anchoring devices for orthopedic procedures require large access openings, leading to increased patient pain and prolonged recovery times, and are impractical in certain locations due to surrounding joints and blood vessels, while cerclage systems necessitate access around the entire bone.
Innovation Solution
A crimping tool comprising a crimping unit with inner and outer tubes, a housing unit, and a tensioning unit that allows for the crimping of a cable onto bone segments through a small insertion opening, utilizing a trigger-handle mechanism to apply tension and crimp the cable uniaxially without radial deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anchoring devices (bone bolts, screws, plates) are used to anchor bone segments, then secure fixation is achieved, but large access openings are required which increase patient pain and prolong recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of bone anchoring from traditional large-implant devices and achieves it through a minimal invasive approach using a small insertion opening. The cable-based system removes the need for large bone-penetrating implants while maintaining fixation security through cable tensioning and crimping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element that transmits tension forces between bone segments without requiring direct bone penetration by large implants. The crimping tool serves as an intermediary device that secures the cable in place through a small access opening, mediating between the cable and the bone segments.
2Reliability
If conventional anchoring devices are used, then bone segments can be secured, but the procedure becomes impractical in locations with surrounding joints and blood vessels due to required large access openings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the constraint of large access openings by extracting the anchoring function to a minimal invasive approach. The small insertion opening enables the system to adapt to challenging anatomical locations where joints and blood vessels would otherwise prevent the use of conventional large implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-based system uses a flexible, thin cable that can be inserted through a small opening and maneuvered around complex anatomical structures, including joints and blood vessels, providing adaptability that rigid large implants cannot achieve.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cerclage systems are used to provide alternative fixation without bone penetration, then access around the entire bone is required, but this limits the minimally invasive approach
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable from the traditional cerclage configuration that requires circumferential access and implements it through a unidirectional insertion approach. The cable is inserted through a small opening, tensioned, and crimped in place, eliminating the need to access the entire bone perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping tool is segmented into modular components (outer tube, inner tube, crimp) that can be inserted through a small opening and assembled in situ. This segmentation allows the system to achieve cerclage-like fixation without requiring access around the entire bone.
4Manufacturing precision
If a crimping tool with trigger-handle mechanism is used to crimp the cable uniaxially, then precise crimping is achieved without radial deflection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping tool is divided into segmented components (outer tube, inner tube, crimp) that can be inserted separately through a small opening and assembled in sequence. This segmentation enables precise uniaxial crimping functionality while maintaining compatibility with minimal invasive access.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger-handle mechanism provides dynamic control over the crimping action, allowing the operator to apply precise uniaxial force as needed. The ratchet mechanism provides dynamic tension control, allowing incremental tensioning while preventing reverse motion, achieving precise crimping without excessive device 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 secure fixation of bone segments through a small access opening, reducing patient discomfort and recovery time, and facilitating procedures in challenging anatomical locations by providing a compact and effective means to crimp a cable for bone fixation.
Implementation Method 1
The distal end of the inner crimping tube is configured to radially contract when the outer crimping tube moves thereover
Implementation Method 2
the tensioning unit is configured to apply tension to a cable passing through the inner crimping tube and the barrel of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A crimping tool for crimping a crimp onto a cable includes a crimping unit, a housing unit, and a tensioning unit. The crimping unit includes an inner crimping tube having a distal end configured to receive the cable; and an outer crimping tube mounted around the inner crimping tube. The housing unit is configured to receive the outer crimping tube, and includes a housing having an open lower portion; a trigger-handle; and a first hinge connecting the trigger-handle to the housing. The tensioning unit is mounted to the housing, and is configured to apply tension to the cable. The trigger-handle releasably engages the open lower portion of the housing by rotation about the first hinge; and the outer crimping tube is configured to move in an axial direction relative to the inner crimping tube to crimp the cable when actuated by the trigger-handle.