Rotatable Drill Guide for Bone Fixation Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone fixation devices face challenges in accurately aligning guide wires within bone medullary cavities, leading to potential misalignment, lateral extension, further fractures, and inhibited insertion depth, due to the complexity of positioning these devices.

Innovation Solution

A multi-hole trocar with a drill guide and locking mechanism that allows for adjustable channel positioning and secure locking, enabling precise alignment and rotation of guide wires without constant distal pressure, allowing for accurate placement and adjustment without removing the device from the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a guide wire is inserted into a medullary cavity using conventional bone fixation devices, then the bone fixation device can be inserted to secure fragments or increase bone strength, but misalignment may occur leading to lateral extension, further fractures, or inhibited insertion depth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracy of guide wireVSAvoidlateral extension and fractures
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drill guide is designed to be rotatable relative to the protection sleeve, providing dynamic adjustment capability. This allows the channels to be repositioned to different angular orientations while the device remains in place, enabling correction of alignment issues without device removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the drill guide is rotated to adjust channel positions for optimal alignment, then accurate guide wire insertion can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to locking mechanisms and rotational adjustment features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel positioning accuracyVSAvoidlocking mechanism and rotation adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the protection sleeve (which remains fixed on the bone) from the drill guide (which can be rotated and locked at different positions). This segmentation allows the drill guide to be independently adjusted without affecting the overall device stability or requiring complex integrated mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drill guide incorporates a rotatable joint with a locking mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning. The channel can be rotated to different angular positions and then locked in place, providing adaptability without requiring complete device removal or replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the aiming device is removed from the body to reposition the drill guide, then accurate alignment can be achieved, but the procedure time increases and the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide wire alignmentVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drill guide is designed with rotational capability that allows it to be repositioned while remaining attached to the protection sleeve and bone. This dynamic adjustment feature eliminates the need to remove the device for repositioning, reducing procedure time and contamination risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drill guide serves multiple functions: it provides multiple channel orientations through rotation, maintains stable attachment to the bone via the protection sleeve, and allows in-situ repositioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for device removal while achieving accurate alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3158952B1Multihole drill sleeve with protection sleeve
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 SYNTHES GMBH
  • EP3158952B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3158952B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3158952B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An aiming device for bone fixation includes (a) a handle extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, (b) a guide arm connected to the second end of the handle and having an opening extending therethrough, the guide arm being connected to a protection sleeve; and (c) a drill guide configured and dimensioned for insertion through the opening of the guide arm. The drill guide has first and second guide channels extending therethrough to guide an insertion of a guide wire into a bone. The drill guide is movable between a first position wherein the drill guide is axially and rotationally movable relative to the guide arm to a second position wherein the drill guide is axially and rotationally locked relative to the guide arm.