Programmable Wrench With Integrated Port for Precise Strut Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external fixation systems face challenges in precise and efficient strut length adjustment due to cumbersome patient interaction, potential for human error, and complexity in measurement and identification processes, leading to frame instability and incorrect adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A programmable wrench with integrated data and power transmission ports allows for automated strut length adjustment, utilizing sensors within the strut to measure and identify the correct strut, ensuring accurate and streamlined adjustments without additional user tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual adjustment by patient or relative is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and adjustment accuracy deteriorate due to difficulty in monitoring small adjustments and potential for human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motorized system. The programmable wrench includes a motor that automatically adjusts strut length based on prescribed parameters, eliminating the need for manual turning of adjustment knobs or nuts by patients or relatives. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated motor control directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device operation while achieving precise measurement and adjustment.
2Productivity
If programmable automated wrench is used, then productivity and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of motor, controller, and data processing components
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable wrench is designed as a multi-functional device that combines multiple capabilities: it stores prescription data, identifies struts through sensors, measures strut length, controls motorized adjustment, and communicates with external systems. By integrating these diverse functions into a single universal device, the patent achieves high productivity and precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the wrench serves multiple purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench incorporates automatic strut identification and measurement capabilities that eliminate the need for user intervention in identifying which strut to adjust and measuring its current length. The sensor automatically detects strut characteristics, and the motor self-regulates the adjustment process based on stored prescriptions, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors and identification systems are added to struts, then measurement precision and automation are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding complex identification and measurement systems to all struts uniformly, the patent applies sensors selectively to specific struts that require automated identification and measurement. This localized application of sensing technology allows the system to achieve necessary measurement precision for critical struts while avoiding unnecessary costs and complexity in manufacturing non-critical struts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a programmable wrench (100) for automatically adjusting the length of external fixation struts (200), the programmable wrench (100) comprising: a mechanical connector meant to releasably engage with the external fixation strut (200) thus enabling transmission of at least an adjustment torque from the programmable wrench (100) to the external fixation strut (200); an electrical connector meant to releasably connect with the external fixation (200) thus enabling at least a data transmission from the external fixation strut (200) to the programmable wrench (100); wherein the mechanical connector and the electrical connector (are integrated in a common port and are jointly engaged and disengaged with the external fixation strut (200).