Spiral Growth Tether With Frangible Release for Bone Rotation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for correcting bone rotational deformities, such as osteotomy, are invasive and carry significant risks and complications, including pain, infection, and the need for secondary procedures.
Innovation Solution
A spiral growth tether system is secured to a bone's growth plate, allowing it to separate as the bone grows, applying a rotational force to correct alignment without cutting the bone, using a tether with a frangible region that breaks to permit uninterrupted growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If osteotomy is performed to correct bone rotational deformities, then alignment correction is achieved, but surgical invasiveness and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is divided into a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a frangible middle portion. This segmentation allows the tether to function as a complete constraint during growth, then selectively break at the frangible portion to release the bone for uninterrupted growth while maintaining alignment correction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is implanted during childhood to guide bone growth and correct rotational deformities before the bone fully matures. The preliminary action of constraining growth in a corrected alignment allows the bone to develop properly oriented, preventing future deformities without requiring invasive osteotomy procedures later
2Manufacturing precision
If osteotomy with plates and screws is used to hold corrected bone portions, then rotational alignment is corrected, but surgical invasiveness and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tether performs the alignment correction function during the growth period itself, before the bone matures. This preliminary correction eliminates the need for subsequent osteotomy and implantation of plates and screws, significantly reducing recovery time and avoiding secondary removal procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible tether is designed as a temporary, single-use device that fulfills its correction function during growth and then self-destructs by breaking at the frangible portion. This disposable approach avoids the need for permanent implants and their associated removal surgeries
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional osteotomy procedures are performed, then bone alignment is corrected, but pain and surgical site complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tether with a frangible portion, the system achieves alignment correction through gradual growth guidance rather than acute bone cutting. This avoids the severe pain and infection risks associated with osteotomy, large incisions, and hardware implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The tether system performs the correction function automatically during normal bone growth through the physis. The growth forces themselves drive the alignment correction without requiring surgical intervention, bone cutting, or invasive procedures, thereby eliminating associated pain and complications
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 corrects bone rotational deformities with minimal invasion, reducing pain and complications, allowing natural bone growth while avoiding the need for implant removal.
Implementation Method 1
The central portion may include a frangible region comprising a groove configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of the frangible region such that, in response to the first end being urged away from the second end, the frangible region may break at the groove.
Data Source
AI summary
A spiral growth tether system may be securable to a bone having a growth plate that separates a first portion of the bone from a second portion of the bone. The spiral growth tether system may include a tether including a first end configured to be secured to the first portion, a second end configured to be secured to the second portion, and a central portion between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end may be configured to separate at the central portion in response to the first end being urged away from the second end as a result of growth of the bone urging the first portion away from the second portion.