Orthopedic Staple With Elastic Hinges For Controlled Bone Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current staple systems for orthopedic surgery require tamping to fully seat staples, which can disrupt bone fragments and fail to control compression, loading rate, and leg alignment, leading to impaired healing and difficulty in staple removal.
Innovation Solution
A novel staple with elastic legs and a bridge, featuring curved hinge regions with mounting holes, allows for insertion without tamping, enabling controlled compression, loading, and easy removal, using a delivery device to strain and constrain the staple for precise implantation and compression generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current staple systems are used, then bone fragments can be rejoined, but tamping is required to fully seat the staple which can disrupt bone fragments and impair healing
Solution Approach 1:
The staple legs are pre-formed with a curved configuration that allows them to be inserted into pre-drilled holes and automatically seat against the bone surface without requiring tamping. The curved legs are designed to straighten and apply compression as they engage the bone, eliminating the need for post-insertion tamping that disrupts bone fragments.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple transitions from a curved, flexible state during insertion to a straightened, compressed state after deployment. The legs are designed to dynamically change shape as they engage the bone, automatically generating compression force without requiring external tamping force that could disrupt bone fragments.
2Force
If current staple systems are used, then compression can be applied between bone fragments, but the amount of compression cannot be controlled and may result in staples tearing through the bone tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The staple design allows control of compression force parameters through the degree of leg curvature and material properties. By adjusting the initial curved configuration of the legs and the material characteristics, the compression force can be precisely controlled to achieve optimal bone fragment compression without exceeding the threshold that would cause the staple to tear through the bone tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple legs are designed with a curved configuration that provides partial compression during insertion, with the full compression force gradually applied as the legs straighten. This controlled, progressive compression prevents excessive force from being applied instantaneously, avoiding bone tissue damage while still achieving the necessary compression for healing.
3Manufacturing precision
If current staple systems are used, then staples can be inserted into pre-drilled holes, but the legs cannot be aligned properly if holes are slightly out of position
Solution Approach 1:
The staple legs are designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing them to bend and adapt to slight variations in hole positioning. The curved configuration enables the legs to flex during insertion and then straighten to apply compression, providing tolerance for positioning variations while maintaining proper function.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple legs function as flexible elements that can bend and conform to the actual hole positions. This flexibility allows the staple to be successfully inserted even when holes are slightly out of position, as the legs can adjust their configuration during insertion and then provide the necessary compression when straightened.
4Force
If current staple systems are used, then compression can be generated, but the loading rate is instantaneous and may damage the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The staple deployment process is designed to apply compression in a controlled, progressive manner rather than instantaneously. As the legs are inserted and gradually straighten, the compression force is applied in stages, allowing the bone tissue to adapt to the increasing load and reducing the risk of damage from sudden, excessive forces.
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
The solution allows for effective compression between bone fragments, controlled loading, and easy removal, enhancing healing by eliminating the need for tamping and providing tactile feedback for compression control, thus improving surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
A novel staple with elastic legs and a bridge, featuring curved hinge regions with mounting holes
Implementation Method 2
Staples are typically manufactured from stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys or Nitinol, a shape memory alloy
Implementation Method 3
the shape memory and superelastic properties allow Nitinol staples to pull together the opposing bone fragments
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a force to the bridge of the staple so as to reconfigure the bridge of the staple, the first and second legs are pivoted away from one another toward a parallel disposition.