Woven Retention Device for Osteoporotic Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone screw fixation methods face issues such as loss of grip and stripping of bone holes, particularly in osteoporotic bone, leading to screw failure and loosening, with existing solutions failing to adequately address these complications.
Innovation Solution
A woven retention device kit is introduced, featuring a tapered distal end, a sleeve body, and a delivery tube with a compression portion that radially compresses the device for easy insertion into bone holes, along with a push rod and measuring/cutting tools for precise placement and length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a bone screw is inserted into osteoporotic bone, then the screw can be placed in the bone, but the grip and holding strength are reduced leading to screw loosening and pullout
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device uses a composite structure combining a woven fabric body (providing flexibility and conformability to bone contours) with an outer coating layer (providing enhanced friction and grip). This composite material approach allows the device to maintain strong holding strength while adapting to the compromised osteoporotic bone structure, preventing screw loosening and pullout.
Solution Approach 2:
The woven fabric construction of the retention device creates a porous structure that allows bone ingrowth through the material. This porosity enables biological integration of the device with the osteoporotic bone, creating a stable, reliable fixation that prevents screw loosening over time while maintaining adequate initial holding strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bone hole diameter varies, then different bone sizes can be accommodated, but standard screw sizes cannot be used requiring multiple screw inventories
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various bone hole diameters through its compressible woven fabric construction. The device can be compressed to fit smaller holes or expanded to fill larger holes, allowing a single device design to replace multiple size-specific screws. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex inventory management of different screw sizes while maintaining adaptability to varying bone anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention device incorporates dynamic properties through its compressible woven fabric structure that can adapt its dimensions during insertion and fixation. The device transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during fixation, allowing it to accommodate varying bone hole diameters with a single universal design, thereby simplifying inventory requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a woven retention device is compressed for insertion, then it can be inserted into the bone hole, but the fabric structure must be able to expand after insertion to provide fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device utilizes parameter changes in its physical state during the fixation process. The woven fabric structure is compressed to a smaller diameter for easy insertion into the bone hole, then naturally expands to its full diameter after insertion. This parameter change from compressed to expanded state provides both ease of operation during insertion and adequate fixation strength once deployed, resolving the contradiction between insertability and fixation strength.
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
The kit enhances bone screw fixation by improving the interface between the screw and bone, reducing screw failure and stripping, and accommodating variations in bone hole diameter and depth without the need for cement or adhesives, ensuring stable anchoring and bone ingrowth.
Implementation Method 1
The compression portion can include a narrowed region at or near the distal opening of the delivery tube, the narrowed region having an inner diameter that is less than the first outer diameter of the sleeve body
Implementation Method 2
a woven retention device having a distal end that is tapered to a distal tip
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for implanting a woven retention device into bone includes a woven retention device, a delivery tube, and a push rod. The woven retention device includes a distal end that is tapered to a distal tip, a proximal end for receiving a fastener, and a sleeve body between the distal and proximal ends. The delivery tube includes distal and proximal openings, and a compression portion over at least a distal end of the delivery tube. The push rod can be slideably received within the delivery tube and has a distal end for pushing the woven retention device through the distal opening of the delivery tube.