Sternal Wire Load Distributor and V-Shaped Cutting Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sternum closure devices often cause unnecessary damage to the sternum bone during the healing process of fragmented or cut bones, as they exert force directly onto the bone surfaces, leading to potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A load distributor for a sternum closure device featuring a wire receiving section and a load distributing section made from flexible material, which conforms to the sternum bone's surface upon wire tightening, preventing direct contact and damage by distributing the force over a larger area, and a tool for cutting the load distributor with V-shaped cutting edges to minimize wire damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wire is used to clamp sternum halves together, then the bone fragments can be held securely, but the wire may cut into the bone surface causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load distributor as an intermediary component between the wire and the sternum bone. This load distributor has a larger surface area than the wire, allowing it to distribute the clamping force over a broader area of the bone surface, thereby preventing the wire from cutting into the bone while maintaining secure clamping of the sternum halves
Solution Approach 2:
The load distributor is made from flexible material that can conform to the outer surface of the sternum bone. This flexibility allows the load distributor to adapt to the bone's contours, ensuring even distribution of force across the bone surface while maintaining intimate contact for effective load distribution
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protector pads are arranged between the wire and bone surface, then bone damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the wire receiver and the load distributor into a single integrated component. The load distributor has a wire receiving section and a load distributing section, merging what would traditionally be separate components (wire protector and force distributor) into one unified structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining bone protection
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional cutting tool is used to cut the load distributor, then the load distributor can be trimmed, but the wire may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool features V-shaped cutting edges that concentrate the cutting action into a localized point. This allows the tool to cut through the load distributor material cleanly without applying excessive lateral force that could damage the wire, as the cutting edges are specifically shaped to slice through the flexible material while minimizing contact with and potential damage to the wire
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 load distributor effectively reduces damage to the sternum bone by distributing the force of the wire over a larger area, while the cutting tool ensures precise cutting without damaging the wire, enhancing the safety and efficacy of sternum closure procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the load distributing section having a bone-contacting region and being made from a flexible material to conform to an outer surface of the sternum bone upon tightening of the wire
Data Source
AI summary
A load distributor for a sternum closure device comprises a wire receiving section configured to be attached to a wire of the sternum closure device, and a load distributing section. A tool for cutting the load distributor comprises a pair of jaws movable between a load distributor receiving position and a cutting position, wherein at least one of the jaws has substantially V-shaped cutting edges tapered towards the other jaw in an angle to the longitudinal extension of the tool.