Manual Adjustment Tool with Tactile Feedback for External Fixation Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external fixation systems require frequent adjustments by patients under physician guidance, which is inconvenient and may lead to instability in correction plans, especially when converting from initial to weight-bearing configurations, necessitating a tool for precise and self-administered adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A manual adjustment tool with a handle and driving portion, featuring an inner and outer engagement mechanism, a feedback mechanism, and a plunger, allowing for precise rotation of struts in an external fixation frame, providing audible and tactile feedback to ensure accurate alignment with a correction plan without the need for electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients adjust external fixation frames themselves at home, then convenience and accessibility are improved, but precision and reliability of adjustments may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment tool incorporates a feedback mechanism with tactile indicators that provide real-time information to the patient during strut adjustment. The mechanism includes a first indicator that moves relative to a second indicator, creating tactile feedback that guides the patient through precise rotational adjustments without requiring electronic components or complex instrumentation.
2Measurement precision
If adjustment tools provide tactile feedback mechanisms, then measurement precision and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism is designed to be self-regulating and self-indicating. The first indicator automatically moves in response to strut rotation, and its position relative to the second indicator provides immediate visual and tactile feedback without requiring external power sources, electronic components, or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the mechanical motion of adjustment to generate the feedback signal.
3Reliability
If external fixation frames require frequent physician visits for adjustment, then reliability of correction plan is improved, but loss of time and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment tool serves as an intermediary device that enables patients to perform adjustments at home with confidence. The tool includes engagement portions that securely interface with the fixation frame components, ensuring that patient-performed adjustments are as reliable as physician-performed adjustments. The tactile feedback mechanism acts as a mediator that guides the patient through precise adjustments without requiring direct physician supervision.
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 patients to accurately and safely adjust external fixation frames according to a predetermined correction plan, enhancing convenience and stability, allowing for home-based adjustments while maintaining precise alignment and stability, reducing the need for frequent physician visits.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback mechanism operably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The inner engagement portion is movable with respect to the outer engagement portion, and the feedback mechanism is movable with respect to both the inner and outer engagement portions
Data Source
AI summary
An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.