Segmented Intramedullary Nail for Curved Canal Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fracture treatment methods, such as plate and screw fixation or fibula nails, are invasive and can disrupt blood supply, leaving sizable scars and requiring complex surgeries.

Innovation Solution

An intramedullary bone fixation device with a flexible transformative section that conforms to the intramedullary canal, allowing minimally invasive placement and secure fixation, featuring a proximal and distal section with different thread pitches and segments with male and female engagement portions for adaptability and rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plate and screws are used for bone fixation, then the bone can be stabilized for improved healing, but the surgery becomes invasive requiring dissection and removal of vascular connective tissue which disrupts blood supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoidblood supply disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional plate-and-screws mechanical fixation system with an intramedullary nail inserted through the bone marrow canal. This substitution eliminates the need for external plating and cortical screw insertion, thereby avoiding disruption of vascular connective tissue and preserving blood supply to the bone while still achieving stable internal fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The intramedullary nail is inserted within the intramedullary canal (nested inside the bone), utilizing the existing bone marrow space. This nested approach allows the fixation device to be placed internally without requiring external attachment plates and screws that would penetrate and disrupt the bone's vascular supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a plate and screws are used for bone fixation, then the bone can be stabilized for improved healing, but a sizable incision is required which leaves a sizable scar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoidsizable scar

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the external plate-and-screws system with an intramedullary nail that is inserted through a minimally invasive approach via the distal tibial metaphysis. This eliminates the need for large incisions along the bone surface, thereby avoiding sizable scars while maintaining effective bone stabilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Shape

If a pre-contoured fibula nail with a 5-degree bend is used, then it can fit the curvature of the intramedullary canal, but the pre-contoured portion is not segmented or mobile and maintains its shape which limits adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurvature fitVSAvoidshape adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nail is divided into multiple segments including a proximal section, a transformative section with multiple transformable segments, and a distal section. This segmentation allows the transformative segments to flex and adapt to the natural curvature of the intramedullary canal, providing both shape conformity and adaptability that a single rigid pre-contoured design cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transformative section of the nail incorporates mobile, flexible segments that can dynamically adjust their configuration. These segments can flex during insertion to navigate the curved intramedullary canal and then lock into place to provide stable fixation, transitioning from a flexible insertion state to a rigid fixation state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a fibula nail with a pre-contoured portion is used, then it can be inserted into the intramedullary canal, but the pre-contoured portion is not fixed to the fibula after placement requiring additional fixation measures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion simplicityVSAvoidfixation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the insertion function and fixation function into a single integrated intramedullary nail design. The nail includes threaded sections at both the proximal and distal ends that can be screwed into the bone, combining the ease of insertion with secure fixation in one device, eliminating the need for separate fixation steps required by non-fixed pre-contoured nails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12496104B1Intramedullary bone fixation devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 AELONY JARED S

AI summary

An intramedullary bone fixation device includes an elongate member having a proximal section, a distal section, and a transformative section between the proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a first threaded section with threads having a first pitch. The distal section includes a second threaded section with threads having a second pitch. The transformative section includes a plurality of segments disposed generally vertical between the proximal and distal sections, each segment including male and female engagement portions. One or more inner surfaces of the segments define a threaded aperture through the transformative section. A screw adapted to be placed through the threaded aperture includes a first set of threads adapted to engage threads of the threaded aperture, a distal second set of threads, and a proximal third set of threads, the second and third sets of threads having a different pitch than the first set of threads.