Internal Pelvic Fixator With Adjustable Clamps for Bone Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implants for maintaining bone structure stability during healing processes are often temporary and require removal after a certain period, limiting their duration and preventing subsequent re-implantation, and existing external stabilization systems lack flexibility for different patient anatomies.
Innovation Solution
An internal pelvic fixation apparatus with adjustable clamps and an implant rod system that accommodates different patient anatomies, allowing for selective rotation and compression to maintain bone reduction, featuring a joystick mechanism for precise adjustment and secure attachment to implanted screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temporary implants are used to maintain bone structure stability during healing, then bone fixation stability is improved, but implant duration is limited and requires removal after 3-6 months
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system allows for parameter changes in the clamping force applied to the bone structures. The adjustable clamps can be tightened to provide stable fixation during healing, then loosened for removal or adjustment, enabling the implant to maintain effectiveness throughout the extended healing period without requiring premature removal
2Reliability
If external stabilization systems are used for bone fixation, then bone structure stability is achieved, but adaptability to different patient anatomies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system incorporates dynamically adjustable clamps that can be positioned and oriented to accommodate different patient anatomies. The clamps can be adjusted along the rod and rotated to match the specific geometry of the pelvic bone structures, providing both stability and anatomical adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The rod and clamp system is designed as a universal implant that can be applied to different patient anatomies and fracture patterns. The adjustable clamps can accommodate various bone shapes and sizes, making the system versatile for different clinical scenarios while maintaining reliable fixation
3Device complexity
If fixed-position clamps are used for implant rod attachment, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different anatomies and fracture patterns is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system is segmented into adjustable components that can be independently positioned along the rod. Each clamp can be placed at different locations and oriented at different angles to match the specific anatomy, providing adaptability without requiring complex custom-designed clamps for each patient
Data Source
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Figure 1B
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AI summary
A system and method for internal pelvic fixation. Guide wires can be inserted through guides and opposing sides of a pelvic bone, and can indicate a depth for driving bone screws into the pelvic bone. Offset rod tools positioned about each guide can assist in determining an offset distance between an implant rod and the pelvic bone. A template rod may be coupled to the offset rod tools and used to select a length for the implant rod. Clamps can be coupled to the bone screws, the clamps having multiple axes of rotation, the angular positions of the clamps being secured by the tightening of a single nut of each clamp. Joysticks used to tighten the nuts can be coupled to a reduction holder mechanism that can decrease at least an axial distance between the clamps, and thus pelvic bones, before locking of the clamps via tightening of the nuts.