Vibratory Fastener Embedding in Bondable Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stabilizing tissues and implants using bondable materials are inefficient, time-consuming, and can cause damage to surrounding tissue, with issues such as loosening, limited fixation areas, and difficulty in treating fractures at the ends of long bones.
Innovation Solution
The use of vibratory energy to embed fasteners within solidified bondable materials, such as bone cement, which are securely retained by mechanical interlocking and vibratory energy application, allowing for precise and robust fixation of tissues and implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to remove and reapply bondable materials, then the bondable material can be reused, but the process is time-consuming and damaging to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding fasteners into the bondable material during the initial implantation phase. This allows the fasteners to be pre-positioned and ready for future retrieval operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal and reapplication processes while maintaining the ability to reuse the bondable material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables extraction by designing fasteners that can be selectively removed from the bondable material through vibratory energy application. This allows the bondable material to be extracted and reused without requiring destructive removal of the entire implant assembly, thus reducing time and tissue damage.
2Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to remove implants and bondable material, then the implant can be retrieved, but surrounding tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vibratory energy as an intermediary mechanism to facilitate implant retrieval. The vibratory energy acts as a mediator that loosens the bond between the fastener and bondable material, enabling easy removal without direct mechanical force that would damage surrounding tissue. This intermediary approach allows implant retrieval while protecting adjacent biological structures.
3Strength
If plates and screws are used for bone fixation, then fracture healing is promoted through compression, but loosening of screws and loss of compression occur under dynamic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw-plate compression system with a vibratory bonding system. Instead of relying on mechanical threads and compression plates that can loosen under dynamic loading, the invention uses vibratory energy to create molecular-level bonding between the fastener and bone, eliminating the mechanical interfaces that are prone to loosening while maintaining strong fracture fixation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If intramedullary rods with bolt openings are used, then long bone fractures can be stabilized, but the number and positioning of openings are limited at the tip of the rod
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a vibratory bonding system that can be applied at any location along the intramedullary rod, including the tip where traditional bolt openings are limited. The vibratory fastening mechanism serves multiple functions: it can secure the rod to bone at various positions, adapt to different bone geometries, and provide stable fixation without requiring pre-drilled holes or threaded openings, thus enhancing the versatility of intramedullary rod treatment.
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
This method reduces completion time, enhances fixation strength and precision, preserves living tissue, and allows for the reuse of previously implanted materials, providing a more efficient and less invasive stabilization process.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener is adapted to be securely retained within the bondable material or adhesive, in one embodiment, by being provided with a shaped or contoured surface upon which the adhesive may grip once hardened. A roughened or porous surface may be provided alone or in combination with a shaped surface to increase purchase in bondable material and/or facilitate an interference fit.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention primarily relates to fastening and stabilizing tissues, implants, and/or bondable materials, such as the fastening of a tissue and/or implant to a bondable material, the fastening of an implant to tissue, and/or the fastening of an implant to another implant. This may involve using an energy source to bond and/or mechanically to stabilize a tissue, an implant, a bondable material, and/or other biocompatible material. The invention may also relate to the use of an energy source to remove and/or install an implant and/or bondable material or to facilitate solidification and/or polymerization of bondable material.