Telescopic Cranial Fixation Device for Intracranial Pressure Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cranial fixation devices for post-operative management after craniotomy do not adequately address increased intracranial pressure and require subsequent cranioplasty, leading to risks such as brain injury, infection, and cosmetic deformities, with existing devices often necessitating external screwdrivers and high profiles that cause scalp irritation and infection risks.

Innovation Solution

A cranial fixation device with telescopic components that allow constrained outward movement of the bone flap to accommodate increased intracranial pressure and retract inward once pressure normalizes, featuring locking mechanisms like collapsible balls, ratchet teeth, and ridges, which are attached to the skull and bone flap with screws or spikes, reducing the need for re-operation and minimizing cosmetic and surgical risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid fixation devices are used to secure the bone flap to the skull, then the bone flap is firmly fixed, but the device cannot accommodate increased intracranial pressure and requires subsequent cranioplasty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone flap fixation stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to intracranial pressure changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device incorporates a telescopic mechanism with locking capabilities that allows dynamic adjustment between a locked state for stable fixation and an unlocked state for outward movement to accommodate brain swelling and increased intracranial pressure, eliminating the need for subsequent cranioplasty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its structural parameters by extending the telescopic portion when intracranial pressure increases, allowing the bone flap to move outward while maintaining secure attachment through the locking mechanism, thus adapting to pressure changes without compromising fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high profile fixation devices are used to secure the bone flap, then the fixation is robust, but scalp irritation and infection risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidscalp irritation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic portion is positioned within the skull defect and nested between the bone flap and skull, allowing the fixation device to maintain a low external profile that minimizes scalp irritation and infection risk while providing robust fixation through the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9693805B2Decompressive craniotomy fixation device

Publication Date: 2017.07.04 KHANNA ROHIT

AI summary

The present invention relates to a craniotomy fixation device and method for fixing a bone flap to the skull following craniotomy. The device may comprise two portions, one portion may be associated with the skull and the other portion may be associated with the bone flap. The two portions are connected in a way to accommodate changes in intracranial pressure.