Surgical Staple with Dynamic Bridge for Bone Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staples for compressing bones or bone fragments face challenges in efficient insertion and distribution of compression forces, often requiring multiple steps and tools, which can lead to increased complexity and potential damage to bone structures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical staple design featuring an arc-shaped bridge that transforms into a straight configuration upon expansion, allowing parallel leg alignment and engagement with pre-drilled holes, facilitated by engagement portions for tool interaction, enabling single-step insertion and efficient compression force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional surgical staple design is used, then the staple can be manufactured with standard structures, but the insertion process requires multiple steps and tools increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The staple bridge is designed to be dynamically transformable from a curved configuration in the relaxed state to a straight configuration when expanded. This dynamic shape change allows the staple to be inserted in a compact form and then deployed in an expanded state, reducing the number of insertion steps and eliminating the need for multiple tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple utilizes shape memory material properties to change its physical state from curved to straight through temperature or mechanical stimulation. This parameter change enables the bridge to transition between compact and expanded configurations, simplifying the insertion process while maintaining structural integrity.
2Shape
If the bridge is curved in the relaxed state, then the staple can be compact for storage and insertion, but the legs cannot be properly aligned with pre-drilled holes
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge transitions from a curved dynamic state during insertion to a straight dynamic state during implantation. This shape transformation enables the legs to align precisely with pre-drilled holes in the bone while maintaining compactness during storage and insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple is pre-formed with a curved bridge configuration that facilitates insertion into pre-drilled holes. Once inserted, the bridge is expanded to a straight configuration that ensures proper leg alignment and compression, performing the alignment action after insertion is complete.
3Productivity
If the staple uses a single-step insertion process, then the procedure is simplified and faster, but the distribution of compression forces may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic expansion of the bridge from curved to straight configuration occurs during the single insertion step, enabling the staple to achieve proper leg alignment and compression force distribution without requiring multiple separate actions. The shape transformation ensures reliable compression while maintaining insertion efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple tools are used for staple insertion, then each tool can be optimized for a specific function, but the overall procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The staple design merges multiple functions (insertion, alignment, and compression) into a single integrated device that achieves all objectives through one insertion motion. The dynamic bridge transformation eliminates the need for separate tools for each function, reducing insertion time while maintaining the benefits of functional optimization.
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 staple design simplifies the insertion process, reduces the number of steps required for implantation, and ensures a broader distribution of compression forces, enhancing anchoring reliability and minimizing stress on critical regions.
Implementation Method 1
When the distraction device is implanted, a rise of the temperature above the transfer temperature causes the shape memory material to change from a martensite state to an austenite state. The device is distracted when the S-curve assumes an elongated shape in the austenite state.
Implementation Method 2
Due to the superelastic characteristics of Nitinol, the distraction force remains more constant.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical staple insertion system for compressing bone fragments includes a staple and an insertion tool. The staple has first and second legs and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first and second legs. In a relaxed configuration, the free ends of the first and second legs are positioned closer to one another than are portions of the first and second legs connected to the bridge. The insertion tool retains the bridge in an elastically deformed configuration with the legs positioned relatively farther apart from one another during at least portion of the step of implantation of the staple. Then, the insertion tool is released from the staple so that the bone fragments between the legs are subject to compression.