Adjustable Orthopedic Distractor with Quadrilateral Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic distractors and compressors lack the ability to independently control the relative angles and distances of bone fragments, leading to misalignment and complications during bone fracture fixation and fusion procedures, such as malunion and delayed healing.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring linked quadrilateral linkages with a common point, allowing for independent control of the relative angles and distances of bone fixation elements through a screw actuator, enabling precise alignment and compression of bone fragments during orthopedic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple pivoting handle mechanism is used for bone compression, then the device structure is simple, but the alignment precision is lost after compression due to arc movement of the operational end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operational end of the device adjustable and reconfigurable during the procedure. The distal end can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis and reangled relative to the handle, allowing the device to adapt its configuration to maintain alignment precision throughout the compression process rather than being fixed in a static position that loses alignment after arc movement.
2Device complexity
If the distal end is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different bone configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustability where the distal end can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis and reangled relative to the handle. This allows the same device structure to adapt to various bone configurations, fracture patterns, and anatomical variations without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby increasing versatility while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single device that can perform multiple functions: compression, distraction, alignment, and adaptation to different bone configurations. The adjustable distal end with multiple degrees of freedom allows one device to handle various orthopedic procedures and anatomical variations, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized instruments.
3Reliability
If multiple separate tools are used for distraction, cleaning, and compression, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (distraction, cleaning, compression, and alignment) into a single integrated device. The handle and operational end work together as one tool that can perform all necessary procedures, eliminating the need to switch between multiple separate instruments and thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining functional effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform distraction by separating bone fragments, cleaning of the fracture site, compression to approximate bone ends, and alignment adjustment. This universal capability allows a single device to replace multiple specialized tools, streamlining the surgical workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic instrument, comprising a pair of pivotally-connected arms, extending beyond a pivot axis of a first pivot; a pair of feet mounted to ends of the pair of pivotally-connected arms; and a quadrilateral linkage configured to maintain parallelism between the pair of feet over a range of angles and to selectively alter a distance between the pair of feet.