Patient-Specific Bone Holder for Fracture Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for internal bone fracture fixation lack precision and customization, often requiring multiple surgical procedures and resulting in suboptimal alignment and stability of bone fragments.
Innovation Solution
Patient-specific instruments and implants are designed using three-dimensional medical scans to create customized bone holders and fixation devices that conform to individual bone anatomy, allowing for precise alignment and fixation of bone fragments during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional bone fixation methods are used, then surgical procedures can be performed with standard instruments, but precision and customization of bone fragment alignment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bone holder is segmented into multiple engagement surfaces, each with unique three-dimensional geometry designed to match specific bone fragments. This segmentation allows precise customization for each patient's anatomy while maintaining overall instrument functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone holder geometry is predetermined through preoperative planning based on patient-specific medical scans. The engagement surfaces are designed in advance to match the patient's bone anatomy, enabling precise alignment during surgery without requiring intraoperative customization.
2Reliability
If multiple surgical procedures are performed, then bone fixation can be attempted with different approaches, but treatment time and patient recovery are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The bone holder geometry is predetermined through preoperative planning based on patient-specific medical scans. The engagement surfaces are designed in advance to match the patient's bone anatomy, enabling precise alignment during surgery without requiring intraoperative customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient-specific bone holder serves multiple functions in a single instrument: it captures bone fragments, provides alignment guidance, and facilitates fixation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate procedures and instruments.
3Manufacturing precision
If standard bone holders are used, then instruments can be universally applied to different patients, but precise conformance to individual bone anatomy is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The bone holder features localized three-dimensional engagement surfaces with unique geometries tailored to match specific regions of the patient's bone anatomy. Each surface is optimized for its specific function and location, providing precise conformance without requiring complete instrument customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone holder geometry parameters are customized for each patient based on their specific anatomy obtained from medical scans. By changing the geometric parameters of the engagement surfaces, the instrument achieves precise fit for individual patients while maintaining the same basic instrument design.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for internal bone fracture fixation includes a shaft having a distal portion and a patient-specific bone holder coupled to the distal portion. The bone holder has a three-dimensional curved and patient-specific bone engagement surface designed during a preoperative plan based on a medical scan of a patient to match and conform to an outer surface of a bone fragment of the patient in only one position.