Advanced Femoral Nail Set Screw Assembly with Enhanced Safety Features
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved femoral nail set screw assembly with adjustable stop mechanisms, dynamic flanges, self-tapping mechanisms, and sensor-enabled locking systems to ensure secure and efficient fixation of fractured long bones.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent for a set screw for femoral nail has limitations in ensuring proper insertion and securing of the neck screw. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced features that prevent over-insertion, accommodate varying femur geometries, facilitate insertion, and provide real-time feedback to the surgeon.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The advanced femoral nail set screw assembly consists of a first member with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion features an adjustable stop mechanism to prevent over-insertion of the neck screw, and a locking mechanism to secure the neck screw in place. The assembly also includes a dynamic flange that adjusts to accommodate varying femur geometries. Additionally, a self-tapping mechanism facilitates insertion of the neck screw, and a sensor-enabled locking system detects when the neck screw is fully seated, providing real-time feedback to the surgeon. The assembly can be used in conjunction with a femoral nail and neck screw to treat femoral fractures.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that significantly improve the safety and efficiency of femoral nail fixation. The adjustable stop mechanism, dynamic flange, self-tapping mechanism, and sensor-enabled locking system are not obvious from the original patent and provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the prior art.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the design of the adjustable stop mechanism, dynamic flange, self-tapping mechanism, and sensor-enabled locking system. For example, the adjustable stop mechanism could be implemented using a threaded or cam-based system. The dynamic flange could be designed to adjust in response to changes in femur geometry or to accommodate different sizes of femoral nails. The self-tapping mechanism could be replaced with a pre-tapping mechanism or an automated tapping system. The sensor-enabled locking system could be integrated with a navigation system to provide real-time feedback to the surgeon.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The advanced femoral nail set screw assembly has significant commercial potential in the orthopedic industry, particularly in the treatment of femoral fractures. The device could be marketed to hospitals, surgical centers, and orthopedic surgeons, offering improved safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes. The device could also be used in conjunction with other orthopedic implants and instruments to provide a comprehensive solution for femoral fracture treatment.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/744 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/8897 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Orthopedic surgical devices, specifically intramedullary nail fixation systems for treating femoral fractures, requiring expertise in medical device design, surgical techniques, and biomechanical engineering
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or orthopedic surgical device designer with advanced degree, 5-10 years experience in medical device development, familiar with orthopedic implant design, surgical fixation techniques, and mechanical engineering principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's set screw assembly. The proposed modifications address known limitations in femoral nail fixation by introducing incremental technical enhancements that solve specific surgical challenges using standard design approaches in medical device engineering.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,228 |
|---|---|
| Title | Set screw for femoral nail |
| Assignee(s) | Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC |