Plug-in Strut Graft Cage for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bone grafts often fail to remain in place during the healing process due to the lack of a containment system, leading to ineffective bone repair and regeneration.
Innovation Solution
A graft containment device with a strut system that includes an attaching portion with coupling elements and an overhang portion for bone fixation, allowing secure attachment to the bone, preventing graft material displacement and promoting bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a graft containment device is used to hold bone graft material, then the graft material remains in place at the target site, but the device requires additional fixation mechanisms to secure it to the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the graft containment function and the bone fixation function into a single integrated device. The containment device includes both the cage structure for holding graft material and attached struts with coupling elements for securing to bone, eliminating the need for separate fixation components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the graft material within its cage structure, provides structural support through the attached struts, and secures the entire assembly to the bone through coupling elements that engage with fixation openings. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple coupling elements are used to attach the strut to the graft containment device, then the attachment stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into discrete coupling elements that are individually formed and then attached to the strut. Each coupling element can be manufactured separately using standard fastening techniques, and then secured to the strut through simple attachment methods, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are designed to be self-securing to the strut through attachment methods that do not require complex external fixtures or specialized manufacturing processes. The elements can be attached using standard mechanical fastening techniques that are readily available in typical manufacturing environments.
3Reliability
If the overhang portion extends beyond the graft containment device, then the bone fixation capability is improved, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overhang portion is strategically positioned to extend only beyond one end of the containment device, providing localized bone fixation capability where it is most needed. This asymmetric design allows the device to achieve effective bone anchoring without unnecessarily increasing the overall length of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The overhang portion is pre-configured with an opening for receiving a bone fixation element, allowing the fixation mechanism to be prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration enables efficient surgical implantation while minimizing the need for additional adjustments or extensions during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treating a bone including a graft containment device extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and including a channel extending therethrough for receiving a graft material therein, the graft containment device including a plurality of fixation openings extending therethrough and a strut extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and including an attaching portion configured to be attached to the graft containment device and an overhang portion configured to extend beyond one of the first and second ends, when the attaching portion is attached to the graft containment device, the attaching portion including a plurality of coupling elements for engaging the fixation openings of the graft containment device, the overhang portion including an overhang opening configured to receive a bone fixation element for fixing the strut to a bone.