Ratchet Orthopaedic Fixation Device for Emergency Bone Reattachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopaedic fixation devices for rejoining separated bone portions are complex to implant and difficult to quickly disassemble in emergency situations, requiring excessive effort and potentially causing harm to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device comprising two plates with a ratchet mechanism that allows for easy separation and rejoining of bone portions, featuring a ratchet wheel with a pawl system and a locking element that can be coiled to secure the plates together, enabling rapid re-attachment and re-detachment for emergency procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixation devices with wires or cables are used to hold bone portions together, then the bone portions can be secured laterally across a divide or fracture, but the device becomes complex to emplace and difficult to quickly disassemble in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into two separate plates (first plate and second plate) that are attached to opposite sides of the bone. Each plate has its own fastener apertures and can be independently positioned and secured to the bone, simplifying the overall emplacement process while maintaining fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates are pre-configured with fastener apertures and ratchet mechanisms before surgery. The first plate is attached to the bone before the cut is made, and the second plate is attached after the cut, allowing for streamlined sequential emplacement rather than complex post-attachment assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional fixation devices with wires or cables are used to hold bone portions together, then the bone portions can be secured laterally across a divide or fracture, but the device requires excessive effort to undo in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism allows the locking element to be easily rotated and advanced to secure the plates together, and can be quickly reversed to release the fixation. This dynamic mechanism replaces complex wire/cable tensioning systems with simple rotational motion for both tightening and release.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be removable from the ratchet mechanism, allowing for quick extraction and release of the fixation device in emergency situations without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Reliability
If the fixation device is emplaced after bone resection, then the bone portions can be held secure, but rapid access in emergency situations is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The first plate is attached to the bone before the resection cut is made, and the second plate is attached immediately after the cut. This preliminary positioning of plates eliminates the need for complex post-resection assembly and enables rapid emergency access by simply releasing the ratchet mechanism.
4Reliability
If a ratchet mechanism with locking element is used to draw plates together, then the plates can be securely fastened to close the divide, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet wheel and locking element are integrated into a single compact assembly that combines the ratchet teeth, pawl, and locking element capture features into one unified mechanism. This merged design provides secure plate fixation while minimizing the number of separate components and overall mechanism complexity.
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 device facilitates quick and efficient rejoining of bone portions during surgical procedures and allows for rapid access in emergency situations by simplifying the process of separating and reattaching the fixation elements, minimizing harm to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
The locking element is configured to be coiled in response to operation of the ratchet mechanism to draw the first and second plates together to close the divide.
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet wheel disposed in and removable from the ratchet recess. The ratchet recess includes a plurality of teeth around a circumference of the ratchet recess that extend radially inward towards a center of the ratchet recess.
Data Source
AI summary
A ratchet fastener includes a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth and a ratchet wheel disposed in mating arrangement with the teeth. The ratchet fastener is configured to receive a tether. The ratchet wheel is configured to be rotated to tighten the tether.