Wire Bone Implant Apertures for Stable Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing processes for bone implants are complex and generate significant waste material, necessitating a simplification that aligns with the AO principles for bone healing, including anatomic reduction, stable fixation, atraumatic surgical techniques, and early mobilization.
Innovation Solution
Bone implants are designed as elongate structures with a wire configuration that includes apertures for bone fixation elements, allowing for stable attachment and manipulation, with features like variable angle apertures and resilient elements for secure fixation, reducing the need for traditional manufacturing processes like milling and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional manufacturing processes (milling, cutting, drilling) are used to fabricate bone implants, then the implants can achieve required structural integrity and functionality, but significant waste material is generated and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from subtractive (milling, cutting) to formative (bending wire into predetermined shapes). This parameter change in the manufacturing process eliminates waste material generation while maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the bone implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs wire as a simple, easily formable material that can be bent into the required implant shape without complex machining. This approach treats the wire as a disposable formative element that is shaped and then becomes the final implant structure, avoiding the need for expensive, complex manufacturing tools and processes.
2Strength
If traditional metal bone implants are fabricated using multiple manufacturing processes, then the implants achieve required strength and stability, but the manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into simple, sequential steps: providing wire, bending into shape, forming apertures, and assembling fixation elements. Each step is independent and can be performed quickly without the need for complex, time-consuming machining operations, thereby reducing total manufacturing time while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is pre-formed into the desired implant configuration and apertures are pre-positioned before final assembly. This preliminary action allows the implant to be prepared in advance with all necessary features already in place, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-manufacturing adjustments or modifications.
3Productivity
If wire-based implants are used to minimize waste and simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the structural complexity and precision required for stable fixation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach to achieving precision from post-manufacturing machining to pre-forming during the bending process. The wire is bent into the exact configuration with apertures positioned accurately during the forming stage, ensuring precise aperture positioning and structural integrity without requiring complex, time-consuming precision machining operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone implant that is elongate along a longitudinal axis includes an implant body including first and second wire segments extending between first and second ends along the axis. The wire segments are spaced from each other along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to define first and second apertures each extending through the implant body along respective directions that are offset from the axis. At least one of the first and second apertures is configured to receive a bone fixation element for securing the implant to bone. The first and second wire segments abut each other at least at one end of the first and second apertures. The first and second wire segments define respective first and second prongs each located at the second end and configured to be inserted within bone so as to further secure the bone implant to bone.