Track-Guided Alignment Devices for Bone Deformity Fixation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical systems require repeated insertion and removal of guide elements, leading to additional wounds, increased pain, and prolonged recovery time due to the complexity and difficulty of achieving desired bone fragment fixation.

Innovation Solution

An alignment device comprising a first member, a second member, and a guide, which allows for precise insertion of alignment members into bone fragments using a track system to minimize the need for repeated guide element placement, thereby simplifying the fixation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If guide elements are repeatedly inserted and removed to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but surgical complexity and patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is pre-assembled with the fixation element in a predetermined configuration. The guide includes features such as a guide channel and positioning elements that are prepared in advance to ensure accurate placement in a single insertion, eliminating the need for repeated trial insertions and adjustments during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element acts as an intermediary component between the surgeon's placement action and the final fixation element position. It provides a controlled interface through its guide channel and positioning features, ensuring that the fixation element is inserted along the correct trajectory and at the correct location without requiring multiple adjustment cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If guide elements are repeatedly inserted and removed to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is pre-assembled with the fixation element in a predetermined configuration. The guide includes features such as a guide channel and positioning elements that are prepared in advance to ensure accurate placement in a single insertion, eliminating the need for repeated trial insertions and adjustments during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If guide elements are repeatedly inserted and removed to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is pre-assembled with the fixation element in a predetermined configuration. The guide includes features such as a guide channel and positioning elements that are prepared in advance to ensure accurate placement in a single insertion, eliminating the need for repeated trial insertions and adjustments during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250221720A1Alignment devices for use in correction of bone deformities

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An alignment device includes a first member, a second member, and a guide. The first member has an elongated body and is configured to be at least partially inserted into a canal in a first bone portion. The second member includes a body attachable to the first member and an arm extending from the body. The arm defines a track. The guide is configured to translate along the track defined by the arm. The guide includes an aperture configured to receive an alignment member therethrough. The guide is configured to be positioned at a desired position along the track to allow insertion of the at least one alignment member through the aperture and into the first bone portion at a desired trajectory.