Segmented Bone Implant with Removable Driver for Joint Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for correcting digital deformities like hammer toe often require invasive procedures and do not effectively provide small joint fusion, which can lead to complications and prolonged recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A unitary construction medical device comprising a first implant portion and a second implant portion connected via a driver assembly, allowing for the insertion and fusion of adjacent bone structures to correct digital deformities, with an antimicrobial and osteointegration surface to enhance bone integration and reduce infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current surgical methods are used to correct digital deformities, then the deformity can be corrected, but the procedure is invasive and requires prolonged recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple segments (first implant portion and second implant portion) that can be inserted separately through minimally invasive techniques, allowing the bone structures to be corrected and fused without requiring extensive surgical exposure and prolonged recovery
2Reliability
If current surgical methods are used to correct digital deformities, then the deformity can be corrected, but the procedure requires invasive surgery leading to complications
Solution Approach 1:
The implant portions are pre-formed with specific geometries and surface characteristics that promote bone integration and reduce infection risk before insertion, allowing minimally invasive insertion while maintaining effectiveness in preventing surgical complications
3Reliability
If a unitary construction implant is used, then bone integration is enhanced through osteointegration surface, but the device complexity increases due to integrated driver assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly is removably connected to the second implant portion, allowing it to be extracted after insertion. This enables the implant to be inserted through minimally invasive techniques while maintaining the benefits of the osteointegration surface for bone integration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of joining adjacent bone includes providing a medical device having a first implant portion, a second implant portion attached to the first implant portion, and a driver assembly having an instrument adapted to form an opening in bone. The driver assembly is integrally connected to and removably attached to the second implant portion at a connection, distal from the first implant portion. The driver assembly further has a wire driver extending therefrom, distal from the first implant portion. The method further includes inserting the wire driver into a wire driver tool; placing the first implant portion against a first bone structure; inserting the first implant portion into the first bone structure; removing the second implant portion from the driver assembly; using the driver assembly to form an opening in a second bone structure, adjacent to the first bone structure; and inserting the second implant portion into the opening.