Resorption-Controlled Bone Compression Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for bone fractures often require multiple surgeries to apply fixation and compression, increasing surgical complexity, cost, and risk, as they immediately apply compressive forces without the option for delayed activation.
Innovation Solution
A resorption-controlled compression device using biodegradable materials like PLG, PDLO, and nitinol, which delays compression by acting as a physical barrier until resorbed, allowing for controlled and delayed activation of compressive forces between bone fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If compression is applied immediately upon implantation, then bone growth is stimulated, but the ability to provide initial fixation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The resorbable element is pre-installed between the bone fragments to provide initial fixation before compression is activated. This preliminary action allows the bone to heal initially without compression, then the element is resorbed to activate compression when needed, resolving the contradiction between immediate compression benefits and fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static fixation state to a dynamic compression state through the controlled resorption of the resorbable element. The element maintains fixation initially, then gradually resorbs to activate compression, providing both fixation stability and compression duration through a dynamic transition process.
2Reliability
If two or more surgeries are performed for fixation and compression, then both fixation and compression can be applied, but surgical complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines fixation and compression functions into a single implantable unit. The resorbable element provides fixation while the compression element remains latent, and both functions are achieved in one surgery through the single device, eliminating the need for separate fixation and compression surgeries.
Solution Approach 2:
The resorbable element automatically transitions from fixation to compression through its own resorption process without requiring additional surgical intervention. The body's natural resorption mechanism activates the compression function, making the device self-activating and eliminating the need for a second surgery.
3Reliability
If compression is delayed until after fixation, then bone fragments can stabilize, but compression activation timing must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The resorbable element automatically controls the timing of compression activation through its controlled resorption rate. The element is designed to resorb at a predictable rate that provides fixation initially, then automatically activates compression when the bone is ready, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the resorbable element (such as composition, porosity, and surface area) are optimized to control the resorption rate and timing. By adjusting these parameters, the compression activation is precisely controlled to occur after adequate fixation without requiring complex manufacturing or external control systems.
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
Enables a single surgical procedure for both fixation and compression, reducing surgical complexity and risk, while providing controlled and sustained compression over a predetermined period, enhancing bone healing.
Implementation Method 1
resorption generally refers to processes in which the human body (e.g., or other creature) absorbs an implanted or deposited material, for example, via natural enzymatic and hydrolytic mechanisms
Implementation Method 2
the compression element may include one or more compression materials that has a quality of compressing after being deformed past an elongation point
Implementation Method 3
the one or more compression materials may include nitinol
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device can include a first anchor for attachment to a first bone fragment and a second anchor for attachment to a second bone fragment. The second anchor attachment can be coupled to the first anchor via a compression element between the first anchor and the second anchor. The medical device can include a resorbable element maintaining the first anchor and the second anchor at a first distance. The resorbable element can be configured to at least partially resorb after insertion into a patient. After the resorbable element is at least partially sorbed, the compression element forces the first anchor and/or the second anchor to translate such that the first anchor and the second anchor are at a second distance, thereby compressing the first bone fragment and the second bone fragment.