Orthopedic Fastener Assembly for Uniform Bone Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing osteotomy and joint fusion procedures lack effective methods and instruments for securely compressing and stabilizing bone portions or implants, particularly in cases of fractures, osteotomies, and joint resurfacing, without causing undue stress or movement at the fracture site.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fastener system comprising a body with diverging legs and an aperture, accompanied by a hole-forming guide, inserter, and cross-fixation guide, which allows for precise insertion and compression of bone portions or implants, ensuring stable fixation and minimizing stress on the fracture site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional osteotomy and joint fusion procedures are used, then bone portions or implants can be secured, but effective compression and stabilization are lacking, resulting in movement and stress at the fracture site
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into a body and multiple legs that can be independently positioned and inserted into bone portions. The legs are separable from the body and can be inserted through separate holes, allowing independent compression of each bone portion while maintaining overall stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener body acts as an intermediary component that connects and compresses multiple bone portions or implants together. The body receives the legs and provides a central structure that enables uniform compression force distribution across all connected bone portions.
2Strength
If compression force is applied to secure bone portions, then stabilization is improved, but stress and movement at the fracture site increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force is locally applied at specific points where the legs contact the bone portions, rather than distributing stress across the entire fracture site. The legs are positioned to apply compression force precisely at the interface between bone portions, providing strong fixation without excessive stress on the fracture zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system allows for dynamic adjustment of compression force during insertion. The legs can be inserted sequentially and the body can be positioned to achieve optimal compression, enabling the system to adapt to varying bone densities and fracture conditions while maintaining appropriate stress levels.
3Ease of operation
If a simple fastener design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but precision of insertion and uniform compression are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Holes for the legs are pre-drilled at specific angles and positions relative to the bone portions and implant. This preliminary action ensures that when the legs are inserted, they automatically achieve the correct orientation and compression force, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during the fastening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener body serves multiple functions: it connects the legs, provides compression force, and can be secured to the implant or bone surface. This multi-functionality allows a relatively simple body structure to achieve precise insertion and uniform compression through its integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the invention relate to methods, implants, including bone plates, and instruments for compressing first and second bone portions or a bone portion and an implant together.