Surgical Staple Inserter with Decompression Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staple insertion devices face challenges in accurately and selectively decompressing compression staples for precise placement between bone segments, leading to potential gaps and disrupted healing due to inadequate compression and motion between bone segments.
Innovation Solution
A staple inserter device with a decompression member and staple bridge deflecting structure allows for controlled decompression and placement of staple legs in bone holes, maintaining compression until the decompression force is removed, ensuring close contact between bone segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a compression staple is used to join bone segments, then compression force is applied to promote healing, but the staple requires decompression for insertion which complicates the insertion process
Solution Approach 1:
The decompression member is used to preliminarily decompress the staple bridge before insertion, allowing the staple legs to be inserted into the bone segments. After insertion, the decompression force is released and the staple bridge returns to its compressed state, providing the necessary compression force for healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The decompression member acts as an intermediary tool that temporarily applies decompression force to the staple bridge. This mediator enables the insertion process by separating the staple legs, and then removes itself after insertion, allowing the staple to provide its compression function.
2Reliability
If the staple legs are inserted into bone segments, then fixation is achieved, but gaps may exist between bone segments if compression is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The staple bridge is designed with spring memory characteristics that allow it to change its compression parameter. When decompressed for insertion, the legs are separated. When the decompression force is removed, the spring memory causes the bridge to return to its compressed state, providing consistent compression force that eliminates gaps between bone segments.
3Ease of operation
If the decompression force is applied continuously, then the staple remains decompressed for insertion, but compression force is lost needed for healing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two states: decompressed state during insertion and compressed state during healing. The decompression member is moveably mounted on the inserter body, allowing it to be positioned to apply decompression force during insertion, then removed or repositioned to allow the spring memory to restore compression force for healing.
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 device enables precise and effective compression between bone segments, promoting optimal healing by maintaining close contact and compressive load, thereby enhancing the surgical outcome of bone fixation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Spring memory characteristics of the material from which the compression staples are made such as, for example, Nitinol causes the legs of the compression staple to be urged back toward each other when the decompression force is removed
Implementation Method 2
a staple bridge deflecting structure moveably attached to the inserter body... Movement of the control portion from a first position to a second position causes the staple bridge engaging portion to correspondingly move from a retracted position to a staple bridge deflecting position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to devices for inserting bone staples into segments of bone. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are adapted for accurately, selectively and simply providing for decompression of compression staples through application of a decompression force thereon, for placement of the legs of the decompressed compression staple in provided leg holes in adjacent bone segments while the compression staple remain decompressed, and for selective removal of the decompression force. In this respect, a staple inserter configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is beneficial and useful in surgical procedure requiring bone tissue to join or rejoin with adjacent bone segments.