Spring-Biased Surgical Guide Wire Engagement for Bone Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical tools like K-wires, olive wires, and plate tacks lack adequate compression capabilities and often cause bone loss or damage during provisional reduction in fracture fixation surgery, and clamps require additional incisions, risking harm to healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A surgical guide wire engagement device with a housing and a spring-biased plate that allows precise compression and alignment of bone fragments, featuring a movable tack that locks along the wire, utilizing a spring mechanism to maintain oblique alignment and a release mechanism for withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If K-wires are used for alignment, then bone purchase is improved and bone loss is minimized, but compression capability in the third plane is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the compression function into two independent parts: the K-wire handles alignment and bone purchase in two planes, while the separate olive component provides compression in the third plane. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the K-wire and olive into a single integrated device where the olive is positioned on the distal end of the K-wire. This merging allows the device to simultaneously provide alignment (via the K-wire) and compression (via the olive) capabilities, resolving the limitation of using K-wires alone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If olive wires or plate tacks are used for compression, then compression capability is improved, but bone thread interface stripping occurs due to high-speed insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows preliminary alignment and positioning of the K-wire in the bone before the olive is engaged. The K-wire can be inserted and positioned without the olive, avoiding the high-speed insertion that causes stripping. Once aligned, the olive is then engaged to provide compression, separating the alignment action from the compression action.
Solution Approach 2:
The olive is designed to be movable along the K-wire rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned dynamically after the K-wire is in place. This dynamic positioning enables the olive to engage with the implant or tissue without requiring high-speed insertion, thereby preventing bone thread interface stripping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clamps are used for provisional reduction, then compression capability is improved, but additional incisions are required and healthy tissue may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single tool: the K-wire provides alignment and bone purchase, while the olive provides compression. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate clamps and additional incisions, as the same device performs both alignment and compression tasks that would otherwise require multiple separate instruments and surgical steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The olive acts as an intermediary component between the K-wire and the implant or tissue. Instead of using a clamp that would require additional incisions and healthy tissue contact, the olive mediates the compression force through the K-wire, providing the necessary compression without the need for separate clamp incisions or direct clamp-tissue contact.
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 precise alignment and compression of bone fragments with minimal bone loss, allowing for verification of intended alignment before permanent fixation, while minimizing the need for additional incisions and reducing damage to healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is configured in the housing to impose the spring bias on the plate at a first area of the plate to help maintain the oblique angle of the third plane with respect to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The spring bias is toward the first end portion. The spring is configured in the housing to impose the spring bias on the plate at a first area of the plate to help maintain the oblique angle of the third plane with respect to the longitudinal axis, and to impede withdrawal of the surgical guide wire from the third aperture toward the first aperture while the surgical guide wire extends through the third aperture
Implementation Method 3
The first element is configured within the housing to rotate during advancement of the wire through the third aperture from the direction of the first aperture due to friction force during the advancement between the wire and one or more first element portions around the third aperture. The friction force brings the third plane closer to parallel with the first and second planes
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices are disclosed for compression of tissue and/or implants via a guide wire during provisional reduction in fracture fixation surgeries and other types of surgeries. Accordingly, an example device includes a housing with first and second apertures and a longitudinal axis. The device also includes a plate inside that itself includes a third aperture. The third aperture establishes a plane that is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis while the plate is under spring bias from a spring in the housing. The spring helps maintain the oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis to lock the medical device at a desired position along the wire while the wire concurrently extends through the first, second, and third apertures. Methods for manufacturing, providing, and using the medical device(s) are also disclosed.