Spring-Type Bone Stabilizer With Ratcheting Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone and joint stabilization devices in orthopedic surgery lack effective means to maintain consistent compression and flexibility during medical procedures, leading to inadequate stabilization and potential complications.
Innovation Solution
The development of bone and joint stabilization devices featuring elongate spring members with a spring pattern and anchoring heads that allow for tensioning and secure anchoring, utilizing a ratcheting interface and deployable foot or screw anchors to maintain compression and stability, along with optional digital tensioning systems for precise tension adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid bone screws, staples and plates are used for stabilization, then strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and ability to maintain compression during motion are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring member that transitions from a compressed state during insertion to a tensioned state during use. The spring member is inserted compressed and then expands to provide active compression forces throughout the healing process, adapting to anatomical motion while maintaining stabilization strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member's physical parameters (length, tension, compression) are changed during the procedure. The member is inserted in a compressed state with specific length parameters, then allowed to expand to provide active compression forces, changing its mechanical parameters to maintain both strength and flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional stabilization devices are used, then initial stabilization is achieved, but consistent compression maintenance during the procedure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member provides continuous active compression forces throughout the entire healing period. Unlike traditional devices that provide initial stabilization but lose compression maintenance, the spring member continuously exerts compressive forces as long as it remains tensioned, ensuring consistent compression maintenance from insertion through healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static stabilization structure to a dynamic system that actively maintains compression. The spring member's ability to expand and exert continuous forces ensures that compression maintenance is not a one-time action but a sustained process throughout the healing duration.
3Reliability
If complex anchoring systems are used to achieve secure fixation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into distinct components: the spring member, the anchoring head with teeth, and the beam structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process. The spring member can be inserted separately, then engaged with the anchoring head through the beam, making the procedure more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam acts as an intermediary element that connects the spring member to the anchoring head. This intermediary component simplifies the interaction between the spring member and anchoring head, allowing the spring member to be engaged with the anchoring head through the beam's teeth, thereby reducing the complexity of direct engagement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the spring member is made highly flexible to allow anatomical motion, then adaptability is improved, but the ability to maintain consistent compression is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is designed to be dynamically responsive to anatomical motion while maintaining compression. As the anatomy moves, the spring member flexes accordingly, but its spring properties ensure that compression forces are consistently maintained. The member's flexibility allows it to accommodate motion without compromising the consistency of compression forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member's physical parameters (flexibility, tension, compression) are optimized to simultaneously allow anatomical motion and maintain consistent compression. The member's spring constants and geometric parameters are designed so that it can flex with anatomical motion while still exerting consistent compressive forces throughout the range of motion.
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
These devices provide active compression and stability during orthopedic procedures, allowing for anatomical motion while minimizing tissue stress and the risk of complications, with the ability to be easily assembled and adjusted by medical professionals for customized treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pattern having a plurality of beams, each including a lateral component free to deflect when stretching the elongate body axially
Implementation Method 2
Anchoring heads with teeth that can be engaged with the spring member and advanced relative to the spring member until it is stretched to a desired tension
Data Source
AI summary
Components and associated methods of manufacture or assembly and/or use for bone and joint stabilization devices or systems are described. The components include features for device introduction, attaching a distal anchoring foot or threaded screw to an elongate spring-type member, anchoring head features for stabilizing position of the elongate member when engaged within the head and/or digital or electronic methods for tensioning the subject devices.