Adjustable Orthopedic Nail Collar for Post-Implant Bone Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic procedures for treating large bone fractures, such as femur fractures, often result in misalignment of bone sections due to the speed and complexity of initial stabilization, leading to complications like joint wear and arthritis, which are difficult to correct after healing.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic nail system comprising a multi-part design with a shaft and collar that can be adjusted post-implantation to change the alignment of bone sections, using a locking mechanism to stabilize the position after realignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If intramedullary nailing is performed quickly to stabilize fractured bone, then treatment speed is improved, but misalignment of bone sections occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed to be rotatable relative to the shaft, allowing dynamic adjustment of bone alignment after the initial quick stabilization. The locking mechanism enables transition between locked (stable) and unlocked (adjustable) states, permitting correction of alignment issues without requiring revision surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separable components (collar and shaft) with independent rotational capability. This segmentation allows the collar to be adjusted relative to the shaft to correct bone alignment while maintaining the integrity of the intramedullary nailing procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If bone sections are realigned after healing, then alignment precision is improved, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be operated through existing surgical access points using standard orthopedic tools. The collar can be rotated and locked without requiring additional incisions or complex instrumentation, allowing surgeons to correct alignment during the same procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar and shaft are pre-configured with engagement features and a locking mechanism that enables future adjustment. This preliminary design allows alignment correction to be performed easily during the initial procedure rather than requiring complex revision surgery later.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collar is allowed to rotate relative to the shaft, then alignment adjustability is improved, but structural stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides dynamic control over the collar-shaft connection, allowing the system to transition between mobile (for adjustment) and fixed (for stability) states. This enables both alignment adjustability and structural stability to be achieved at different stages of the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement features between collar and shaft are designed to provide controlled rotational movement within specific parameters, allowing adjustment within a defined range while maintaining structural integrity. The locking mechanism changes the mechanical parameters of the connection from flexible to rigid.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to an orthopedic nail that includes a collar having a sidewall defining a first opening extending from the first end to the second end along a first axis of the collar, a second opening configured to engage with an orthopedic fastener, first engagement features positioned at the first end of the first opening, and second engagement features positioned at a second end of the first opening. The orthopedic nail can include a shaft defining a third opening positioned adjacent to the first end of the shaft and configured to allow the orthopedic fastener to pass through the shaft, and third engagement features positioned between the third opening and a second end of the shaft. The third engagement features can be configured to rotationally couple to the second engagement features. The orthopedic nail can include a locking mechanism that is configured to couple to the engagement features.