Sternal Bone Fixation Implant With Visual Detachment Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone fixation methods, such as those used for the sternum, are cumbersome and risky, requiring time-consuming re-opening and can fail due to loose or broken wires/cables, necessitating a need for an implant that can be easily attached or detached with minimal patient risk and provides high stability.
Innovation Solution
An implant comprising an elongated member, engagement member, and fastening member with a visual indicator for quick detachment, made from flexible and rigid materials respectively, allowing for easy severing at a designated weak point indicated by the visual indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire or cable is tensioned around the sternum parts for fixation, then the sternum parts are held together, but the wire may become loose or break due to load, requiring re-operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into separate functional components: an elongated flexible member for wrapping, a bone fastening member with openings for bone fasteners, and a visual indicator showing where to sever. This segmentation allows the system to be easily detached by cutting only the flexible member at the indicated location, without removing bone fasteners, enabling quick re-operation if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator is pre-positioned on the bone fastening member to show the exact location where the flexible member should be severed for detachment. This preliminary marking eliminates the need for surgeons to search for detachment points during re-operation, significantly reducing operational time and complexity.
2Reliability
If a bone plate is attached to the sternum parts for fixation, then the sternum parts are stabilized, but the attachment and detachment processes are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the fixation function (performed by bone fasteners inserted through openings in the bone fastening member) from the attachment mechanism (the flexible elongated member that can be quickly severed at the visual indicator location). This allows rapid detachment without removing the bone fasteners, significantly reducing the time required for re-operation compared to traditional bone plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elongated member is designed to be easily extracted or severed at the indicated location, separating the need for complete removal of all components during re-operation. Only the flexible member needs to be detached, while the bone fastening member with embedded fasteners remains in place, reducing detachment time.
3Reliability
If a closure element with strap and tightening plate is used, then the sternum parts are closed, but the opening procedure is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into a flexible elongated member that can be independently severed at the visual indicator location, separating the closure function from the detachment mechanism. This simplifies the opening procedure compared to traditional closure elements that require complex disassembly of multiple interconnected components.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator provides a clear visual signal (analogous to color changes in TRIZ) showing exactly where to sever the flexible member for detachment. This visual guidance simplifies the opening procedure by eliminating the need to search for detachment points among complex components, reducing both time and complexity of re-operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for bone fixation is presented. The implant comprises an elongated member configured to be wound around bone parts that are to be fixed. Further, an engagement feature is provided that is coupled to the elongated member and configured to engage a portion of the elongated member so as to secure the implant in a loop around the bone parts. A fastening member is arranged between and coupled to the elongated member and the engagement member. The fastening member comprises at least one opening for receiving a bone fastener. In one variant, at least one visual indicator indicating a region of the fastening member to be severed in order to detach the implant is provided. In another variant, at least one of the engagement member and the elongated member are coupled to the fastening member by injection molding.