Ulna Shortening Device with Offset Slot and Block Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for shortening an ulna are cumbersome, require excessive space, and lack precision in guiding bone parts together, making them difficult to use by a single person and prone to errors due to manual handling and uncertainty in positional accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a bone plate and a single block that interacts with a holding element, allowing for precise adjustment and alignment of bone parts using an adjustment element, ensuring accurate guiding and attachment without twisting, and featuring a detachable guide device for precise cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bone plate with multiple blocks and retaining pins is used to guide bone parts together, then the bone parts can be guided together, but the device requires a large amount of space and is difficult to handle during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple blocks into a single integrated block structure. The bone plate contains a first slot and a second slot that are offset from each other, with a single block having a first opening and a second opening. This consolidation reduces the overall volume and complexity of the device while maintaining the functionality of guiding bone parts together through the offset slot and opening arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the guiding function into two distinct offset slots and two offset openings, allowing independent positioning of bone parts. The first slot and first opening handle one bone part while the second slot and second opening handle another bone part, enabling precise control without requiring multiple large blocks.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual guiding together with forceps is used, then bone parts can be guided together, but there is no exact control of the guiding together and it is prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism consisting of the offset slots and offset openings that mediate the guiding process. Instead of direct manual manipulation with forceps, the bone plate and block structures act as intermediaries that provide exact control over the positioning and alignment of bone parts, eliminating human error while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If the bone plate is fastened with positional accuracy in predetermined positions, then the supporting plate can be positioned accurately, but the bone plate has to be fastened with positional accuracy in those holes which the supporting plate was previously positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the offset relationships between the first slot and second slot, and between the first opening and second opening, during the manufacturing of the bone plate and block. This eliminates the need for complex real-time positioning adjustments during surgery, as the geometric relationships are already established, simplifying the fastening process while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for shortening an elongated bone, in particular an ulna, comprising a bone plate (5) to be attached to the bone with a hole (6) for a fastening element for fixing the bone plate (5) on the bone and a slot offset longitudinally thereto for a holding element (9) that can be fastened in the bone, so that after the bone has been severed and a piece of bone has been removed in the region between the hole (6) and the slot, bone parts can be guided together by the displacement of the bone plate relative to the holding element (9). In order to create a device (1), which is constructed with a small space requirement and permits a highly accurate guiding together of the bone parts, it is provided according to the invention that a block (12) with an opening (13) for the holding element (9), which opening is elongated in plan view and lies above the slot, is arranged on the bone plate (5) in the region of the slot, wherein a unit (14) is arranged in the opening (13), against which unit the holding element (9) rests in the displacement direction and relative to which a remaining part of the block (12) can be displaced with the aid of a provided adjustment element (15).