Shape-Memory Orthopedic Fixation Implant for Thin Bone Fragments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone plate and screw constructs are inadequate for complex bone fracture patterns, particularly those involving small and thin bone fragments, and cannot address fractures outside their range, such as distal volar fragments in distal radius fractures, leading to issues like tendon irritation and rupture.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic fixation system with an orthopedic implant that transitions between natural and insertion shapes, using shape memory materials to store and deliver energy for capturing and compressing bone fragments, featuring a bridge, claw, and anchor design to affix bone fragments securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bone plate and screw constructs are used for complex bone fractures, then fixation is provided for many fracture patterns, but they are incapable of addressing extremely complex fracture patterns with small and thin bone fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The orthopedic implant is divided into distinct functional segments: a bridge portion for spanning the fracture, a claw portion with hooks for capturing bone fragments, and an anchor portion for securing to the bone. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, enabling the implant to address complex fracture patterns with small and thin bone fragments that traditional monolithic bone plates cannot handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates transition sections that allow dynamic transformation between a compressed delivery configuration and an expanded functional configuration. This dynamic capability enables the implant to be delivered through a small incision in a compressed state and then expand to its functional shape to capture and compress bone fragments, providing reliable fixation for complex fracture patterns.
2Reliability
If traditional bone plate and screw constructs are used, then fixation is achieved, but tendon irritation or rupture may occur due to high profile
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed to be delivered in a nested or compressed configuration within a delivery device. The bridge, claw, and anchor portions are collapsed together for delivery through a small incision, then expanded to their functional configuration after implantation. This nesting principle allows the implant to have a low profile during delivery while providing secure fixation when deployed, eliminating tendon irritation associated with high-profile traditional plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes a flexible, thin-walled construction that allows it to be compressed for delivery and then expand to provide fixation. The flexible nature of the implant material and structure enables it to conform to the bone surface and fracture geometry while maintaining a low profile, preventing tendon irritation while ensuring reliable fixation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the orthopedic implant is transitioned from natural shape to insertion shape, then energy is stored for compression, but the implant must be delivered in a constrained state
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-formed in its functional shape with transition sections designed to store energy when compressed. Before delivery, the implant is constrained in a compressed configuration within the delivery device, with the transition sections pre-loaded to store elastic energy. When deployed, this stored energy automatically drives the compression of bone fragments, eliminating the need for additional compression mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses its own stored elastic energy to perform the compression function. The transition sections are designed to store energy during delivery and then release this energy automatically upon deployment to compress the bone fragments. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate power sources, motors, or complex actuation systems, simplifying the overall device while providing effective compression.
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
The system effectively captures and compresses bone fragments, reducing tendon irritation and allowing for secure fixation, even in complex fracture patterns, while promoting healing through compressive forces.
Implementation Method 1
An orthopedic implant transitionable between a natural shape and an insertion shape. A transition of the orthopedic implant from the natural shape to the insertion shape stores deliverable energy. Conversely, a transition of the orthopedic implant from the insertion shape to the natural shape delivers stored energy.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic fixation system including an orthopedic implant transitionable between a natural shape and an insertion shape. The orthopedic implant includes a bridge deformable to move the orthopedic implant between the natural shape and the insertion shape, a claw extending from the bridge at a first end thereof, and an anchor extending from the bridge at a second end thereof. The orthopedic implant when in the insertion shape affixes a bone fragment and a bone in that the anchor implants in the bone, the bridge extends over the bone and the bone fragment to position the claw at the bone fragment, and the claw captures the bone fragment. Moreover, upon an attempted transition of the orthopedic implant from the insertion shape to the natural shape, the orthopedic implant delivers energy stored therein to the bone fragment and the bone thereby affixing the bone fragment with the bone.