Rotary Coupling for Orthopaedic Bone Deformity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopaedic devices for correcting long bone deformities have limitations, including restricted angular adjustment capability and increased bulk, which hinder practicality and comfort of use.
Innovation Solution
A rotary coupling with a cylindrical male element and female seat is introduced between the clamp and support base, allowing for wide angular displacement and compact design, enabling the clamp to be positioned along the entire length of the longitudinal bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex rotary coupling mechanism with multiple hinged bodies and stop screws is used to enable angular adjustment of the clamp, then the angular adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity and overall bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary coupling is segmented into distinct functional elements: a male element with cylindrical surface attached to the clamp, and a corresponding female element with groove attached to the support base. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism where the support base rotates relative to multiple hinged bodies, the invention inverts the approach by having the clamp rotate directly on the support base through the simple male-female coupling. This inversion simplifies the overall structure while maintaining angular adjustment capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the angularly moveable clamp is positioned at the end of the guiding bar to maintain compact structure, then the device bulk is reduced, but the usability along the entire extension of the longitudinal bar is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The simplified rotary coupling mechanism is designed to be universally applicable at any position along the longitudinal bar. The male element with cylindrical surface and female element with groove create a standardized interface that can be used regardless of the clamp's position on the bar, enabling both compact design and full usability.
3Measurement precision
If a complex multi-component rotary coupling is used to achieve angular displacement, then the angular adjustment precision is improved, but the overall bulk of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The male element features a cylindrical surface and the female element has a corresponding groove, creating a curved surface配合 mechanism. This curvature allows for precise angular adjustment through the interaction of the cylindrical surface with the groove, while maintaining a compact overall structure without requiring multiple complex components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Orthopaedic device (10, 110, 210, 310) for correcting deformities of a long bone (11), comprising a bar (12), extended along an axis (Y-Y) and intended to be placed alongside the bone (11), at least a first clamp (14, 214, 314) for a first group of osseous screws (16) and a second clamp (18, 19, 118) for a second group of osseous screws (20, 22), removably mounted on said bar (12), wherein the first of said clamps (14, 214, 314) is placed onboard a support base (21, 221, 321) in turn mounted on said bar (12), and angularly movable in relation to the support base around a given rotation axis (X-X, X'-X', Z-Z) by means of a rotary coupling, characterised in that said rotary coupling comprises a male element (35; 235, 236, 237, 238, 239; 333, 334) associated with the first clamp (14, 214, 314) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical, and a corresponding female element (36; 130; 250, 254, 255; 336, 337) associated with the support base (21, 221, 321) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical constituting a seat for the loose coupling of the male element (35; 235, 236, 237, 238, 239; 333, 334).