Sternal Compression Device for Bone Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sternotomy procedures often result in slow and problematic patient recovery due to inadequate compression and realignment of sternal portions, leading to non-union, pain, and increased risk of infection and deep sternal wound infection (DSWI).
Innovation Solution
The system includes a sterile hydration pouch for hydrating an implant, a tissue extracting tool for harvesting and shaping patient tissue, and a topical biosensor for monitoring infection and temperature changes. The implant is hydrated with a saline solution containing patient-harvested tissue, and the tissue extracting tool creates indents in the patient's tissue to receive the implant, promoting bone growth and reducing infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sternotomy procedures are used to separate sternal halves for thoracic access, then access to heart and lungs is achieved, but proper compression and realignment of sternal portions is rarely achieved resulting in non-union and dehiscence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and positioning a compression device before the sternal closure step. The compression device is pre-configured with compression members and positioning mechanisms that will be activated to ensure proper compression and realignment of sternal portions immediately after separation, preventing non-union and dehiscence before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary compression device between the sternal halves during closure. This device includes compression members that can be positioned between the sternal portions and activated to apply controlled compression forces, ensuring proper realignment and compression without requiring direct manual compression by the surgeon.
2Ease of operation
If sternal halves are separated to access thoracic organs, then surgical access is provided, but motion and sliding of sternal surfaces occurs leading to pain and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is prepared in advance with positioning mechanisms and compression members that will be activated before the sternal halves are fully separated or during the closure process. This preliminary positioning and compression action prevents harmful motion and sliding between sternal surfaces, thereby reducing pain and infection risk before they can develop.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the sternal halves, providing controlled compression and alignment during the separation and closure process. This intermediary device prevents direct harmful motion between the bone surfaces while maintaining surgical access, thereby reducing pain and infection risk.
3Device complexity
If inadequate compression is applied during sternal closure, then surgical procedure is simplified, but fibrous scar tissue forms instead of new bone growth
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is pre-configured with adjustable compression members and positioning mechanisms that ensure adequate compression is applied automatically during closure. This preliminary setup ensures proper compression forces are applied consistently, promoting new bone growth rather than fibrous scar tissue formation, while keeping the overall procedure simple through automated compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device acts as an intermediary mechanism that automatically applies controlled compression forces during sternal closure. This intermediary device ensures adequate compression is applied consistently without requiring complex manual manipulation by the surgeon, thereby promoting proper bone fusion while maintaining procedural simplicity.
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
This approach enhances bone fusion and healing by ensuring proper compression and alignment of sternal portions, reduces the risk of non-union and infection, and promotes the use of patient-specific tissue for enhanced integration and growth.
Implementation Method 1
a hydration shell removably coupled to a planar hydration seal to enclose a volume inside the hydration pouch, forming a sterile hydration environment
Implementation Method 2
a suction pathway can be formed between the front portion and a rear portion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices to fuse two sections of bone and perform other medical procedures are disclosed. A system includes a medical kit with tools and supplies, such as a sterile hydration pouch for hydrating an implant; a tissue extracting tool; and a topical biosensor for detecting an infection and/or temperature change. The tissue extracting tool has an extraction head with a suction pathway for pulling the tissue into a collection chamber. A depth gauge can protrude from a top surface or a bottom surface of the extraction head to define an insertion depth dimension of the extraction head which corresponds to a dimension of the implant (e.g., of a side protrusion of the implant). The tissue extracted with the tissue extracting tool can be used to hydrate the implant by injecting a saline solution including the tissue into a sterile hydration environment formed by the hydration pouch.