Self-Drilling Compression Screw for Controlled Bone Joint Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone screws lack effective mechanisms for applying compression at bone joints or fracture lines to prevent nonunion and malunion, and often require pre-drilling and additional tools for adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-drilling and self-tapping compression screws with integrated cutting structures and adjustable compression sleeves that allow for direct insertion and controlled compression application without pre-drilling, minimizing bone removal and toggle risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bone screws are used without compression capability, then the surgical procedure is simpler and requires fewer tools, but compression cannot be applied to prevent nonunion and malunion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compression mechanism directly into the screw structure by integrating a compression sleeve with the screw shaft. The compression sleeve includes cutting flutes that engage with the screw threads, allowing the screw to provide compression at the bone fracture site while maintaining a unified, integrated structure that does not require separate compression devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw is divided into functional segments: the screw shaft with threads for bone engagement, the compression sleeve with cutting flutes for bone removal and compression, and the head portion for application. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together as a unified compression screw system.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-drilling is required for screw insertion, then the screw can be properly positioned, but the surgical time increases and bone removal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The screw incorporates self-drilling and self-tapping capabilities through integrated cutting flutes on the compression sleeve. These flutes cut into the bone and engage with the screw threads, allowing the screw to create its own engagement path without requiring pre-drilled holes or separate tapping operations, thus eliminating the need for additional surgical tools and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting flutes on the compression sleeve perform the bone cutting and thread engagement actions during the screw insertion process itself, rather than requiring these actions to be performed separately before insertion. This preliminary action is built into the insertion maneuver, streamlining the surgical procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional tools are required for compression adjustment, then precise compression control is achieved, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The compression adjustment mechanism is merged into the screw assembly itself. The compression sleeve with cutting flutes is integrated with the screw shaft, allowing compression control to be achieved through the screw's own structural components rather than requiring separate adjustment tools or devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment during the surgical procedure. The compression sleeve can be rotated relative to the screw shaft to adjust the compression force, and the cutting flutes can be engaged or disengaged as needed, providing flexible control without requiring multiple separate tools.
4Reliability
If compression is not applied to the bone joint, then the screw insertion is simpler, but nonunion and malunion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression function is merged into the basic screw structure. The compression sleeve with cutting flutes is an integral part of the screw assembly, allowing the screw to simultaneously provide fixation and compression at the fracture site without requiring separate compression devices or complex additional mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient fixation and fusion of bone fragments by applying controlled compression, reducing the risk of improper healing and simplifying the surgical procedure through self-tapping and self-drilling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one proximal rotary cutting structure is configured to be self-drilling such that a proximal portion of the axial screw body cuts into and advances within a bone of the bone joint as the axial screw body is advanced
Implementation Method 2
the distal end including a series of bone engaging threads configured to be self-drilling and self-tapping
Implementation Method 3
The compression sleeve includes internal threads engaged with the bone screw external threads such that the compression sleeve and bone screw are threadably adjustable relative to one another
Implementation Method 4
compression screws provided that apply compression to bone fragments or bone portions (for example, fixation of fractures or fusion of joints)
Data Source
AI summary
A compression screw for applying compression at a bone joint. The compression screw includes an axial screw body extending from a distal end to a proximal end with the distal end including a series of bone engaging threads configured to be self-drilling and self-tapping and the proximal end including a head which defines a radially extending shoulder. At least one proximal rotary cutting structure is defined proximally of the bone engaging threads. The at least one proximal rotary cutting structure is configured to be self-drilling such that a proximal portion of the axial screw body cuts into and advances within a bone of the bone joint as the axial screw body is advanced. A method of inserting the compression screw is also provided.