X-Shaped Sternal Clamp with Adjustable Engagement Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sternal closure devices lack sufficient reinforcement and rigidity, often concentrate stress on a single inter-rib space, and do not allow for easy and secure closure of sternal halves in a sliding or telescoping manner with adjustable engagement members.
Innovation Solution
A sternal closure clamp device with a centralized body and four laterally-extending engagement members that are adjustable, pivotable, and extendible, providing a generally X-shaped configuration to distribute stress widely and secure the sternum halves with hooks or projections between rib pairs, featuring a locking mechanism for secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional clamps with two engagement members in a single inter-rib space are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reinforcement and rigidity of the sternum is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device is divided into multiple independent engagement members (at least three) that can be positioned in different inter-rib spaces, allowing each member to independently engage with the sternum and ribs. This segmentation provides distributed reinforcement while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members are arranged in a triangular configuration rather than linear alignment, creating a stable geometric structure that distributes forces across multiple dimensions. This triangular arrangement enhances rigidity and reinforcement without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Stress or pressure
If conventional clamps concentrate stress on a single inter-rib space, then the device structure is simplified, but the stress distribution on the sternum is unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system divides the stress application into multiple separate engagement members positioned in different inter-rib spaces, distributing the mechanical load across several locations rather than concentrating it in one area, thereby reducing peak stress on any single point of the sternum
Solution Approach 2:
Each engagement member is designed with specific local features (hooks, projections, or fingers) that engage with adjacent ribs to locally distribute and redirect forces. The engagement members can be selectively positioned in different inter-rib spaces to optimize stress distribution based on the specific anatomical characteristics of the patient's sternum
3Adaptability or versatility
If engagement members are made fixed and non-adjustable, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different sternum sizes and configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement members are designed with adjustable mechanisms that allow their position, orientation, and engagement depth to be modified during application. This dynamic adjustability enables the same device to adapt to various sternum sizes, shapes, and anatomical variations while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members are designed with universal features that allow them to function in multiple inter-rib spaces and accommodate different sternum configurations. The same basic engagement member design can be positioned and configured differently to suit various patient anatomies, reducing the need for multiple specialized device variants
Data Source
AI summary
A sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, the device having four laterally extending engagement members that are positioned in inter-rib spaces on both sides of the sternum. The engagement members are connected to a centralized main body in a manner that allows the engagement members to be shortened or contracted such that the sternal halves may be pressed together and held in abutting relation. Each of the engagement members contracts in a direction non-perpendicular to the sternal incision, and the engagement members on a given side are non-parallel to each other such that device has a generally X-shaped configuration.