Segmented Intramedullary Fixation Device for Fifth Metatarsal Fractures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intramedullary rod or nail procedures for bone fractures often cause damage to soft tissue structures, require multiple incisions, and can lead to complications such as pain, necrosis, and infection due to the rigid nature of these devices, which are difficult to insert and may not fully contact the bone, especially in the case of osteoporotic fractures.
Innovation Solution
A repair system featuring a fixation device with a threaded section and grippers that can be deflected to grip the sidewalls of the bone canal, along with an end cap that allows for intra-operative compression and polyaxial movement, facilitating minimally invasive surgery and reducing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional intramedullary rod or nail is used to stabilize the fracture, then the fracture can be aligned and stabilized, but soft tissue structures such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, fascia, and epidermis are damaged due to the required line of sight access and incision
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary rod is segmented into multiple sections that can independently articulate and adapt to the bone's curvature, allowing insertion through a minimally invasive approach without requiring line-of-sight access that would damage soft tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The rod incorporates dynamic articulation points that allow it to flex and conform to the bone's natural curvature during insertion and healing, eliminating the need for rigid line-of-sight alignment that causes soft tissue damage
2Reliability
If a rigid intramedullary rod or nail is inserted to stabilize the fracture, then the fracture can be supported, but the rigid structure may not fully contact the bone canal and can cause pain or necrosis due to micro-motion
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary rod incorporates flexible segments that allow it to dynamically adapt to the bone canal's shape and movement, ensuring continuous contact with the bone surface to eliminate micro-motion that causes pain and necrosis
Solution Approach 2:
The rod's physical parameters such as flexibility and articulation are changed to allow it to conform to the bone canal, transforming it from a rigid structure that causes micro-motion into an adaptive structure that maintains constant contact
3Reliability
If a conventional intramedullary rod or nail is inserted through incision and access to the canal, then the fracture can be stabilized, but additional incisions are required for cross-screws to attach the rods or nails to the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of fracture stabilization and bone attachment are merged into a single minimally invasive insertion process, eliminating the need for separate incisions for cross-screws by using the rod's articulation mechanism to achieve stable fixation
4Reliability
If a conventional intramedullary rod or nail is inserted to stabilize the fracture, then the fracture can be supported, but the procedure is difficult to insert and requires a long metallic nail that may not fit properly in the canal
Solution Approach 1:
The intramedullary rod is divided into multiple articulated segments that can be easily inserted through a minimally invasive approach, eliminating the difficulty of inserting a long rigid nail and allowing proper adaptation to the canal without force
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to repair systems, and more particularly to fifth metatarsal repair systems and methods of use. The repair systems described herein can include a fixation device with a threaded section. The repair systems described herein can include one or more grippers designed to be deflected outward to grip the sidewalls of an intramedullary canal of the fifth metatarsal. The repair systems described herein can include an end cap. The end cap can include a fastener including thread designed to engage the threaded section of the fixation device. The end cap can include a cap designed to move relative to the fastener.