Combined Staple-Screw Fixation for Precise Small Bone Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical procedures for correcting bone deformities such as hallux valgus in the foot face challenges in accurately fixing and fusing small bones with limited access space, particularly in the metatarsophalangeal joint, often leading to inadequate alignment and fusion.
Innovation Solution
A staple implant system with legs and fixation holes, guided by a drill guide and insertion system, allowing for precise drilling and screw insertion into small bones, facilitating accurate fixation and fusion across joints like the MTP joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fixation methods are used for small bones, then the surgical procedure is simple, but the alignment precision and fixation reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into multiple functional components: a staple body with legs for initial fixation, fixation apertures for screw insertion, and a guide body with guide openings for precise drilling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving high alignment precision through the guide openings while maintaining reasonable overall complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide body acts as an intermediary device that facilitates precise screw insertion through the fixation apertures. The guide openings in the guide body align with the fixation apertures in the staple, creating a coordinated system that ensures accurate bone alignment and fixation without requiring complex surgical techniques.
2Reliability
If combined staple and screw fixation is used, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the difficulty of operation increases due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the staple and screw fixation methods into a coordinated approach. The staple provides initial stable fixation with its legs embedded in bone, while the fixation apertures receive screws that work together with the staple structure. The guide body integrates the drilling and screw insertion processes, allowing the combined fixation method to achieve high reliability while managing the complexity of operation through integrated design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fixation points are used, then the fusion stability is improved, but the device complexity and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The staple is inserted first to establish initial fixation and define the position of the fixation apertures. The guide body is then positioned to align with these pre-established apertures, allowing screws to be inserted at multiple fixation points without requiring complex planning or measurement during the procedure. This preliminary positioning action reduces surgical time while maintaining fusion stability through multiple fixation points.
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 fusion of small bones in the foot, such as the metatarsal and phalanx, improving surgical outcomes by ensuring robust fixation and promoting bone healing and fusion.
Implementation Method 1
The staple can be elastically deformed for insertion using a first coupling shaft connected to a first handling coupling through the top surface of the staple and a second coupling shaft connected to a second handling coupling through the top surface of the staple.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques can be used to facilitate insertion of staple implants that include a combination of legs (e.g., tines) and fixation holes that receive screws therethrough. In some examples, an implant insertion system includes a guide body operatively connected to connector that joins coupling shafts that energize the staple during insertion. The guide body can include a first guide opening configured to guide drilling of a first hole into a first bone aligned with the first fixation aperture of the staple and/or insertion of a first screw into the first bone through the first fixation aperture. The guide body can also include a second guide opening configured to guide drilling of a second hole into a second bone aligned with the second fixation aperture and/or insertion of a second screw into the second bone through the second fixation aperture.