WO2010143938A1

WO2010143938A1 - An improved bone holding device for limb support frame

Info

Publication number: WO2010143938A1
Application number: PCT/MY2010/000099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Saw Aik; Chua Yeok Pin
Original assignee: Universiti Malaya
Priority date: 2009-06-12
Filing date: 2010-06-11
Publication date: 2010-12-16
Also published as: MY174417A

Abstract

An bone holding device (100) for limb comprises a tubular housing (110) having a first opening (111) and a second opening (112)at both end; a rod (120) with one end (121) attached onto a first guiding member (130) and a threaded section (122) at another end, telescopically inserted into the tubular housing (110) through the second opening (112); a knob (150) with a receiving part (151) inserted into the tubular housing (110) via the first opening (111) to accept the threaded section (122); a resilient means (160) positioned within the housing (110) in between the knob (150) and the first guiding member (140); a first arm (170) perpendicularly extended from the tubular housing (110) around the first opening (111); a second arm (180) attached to a second guiding member (140) which is in turn hingably connected to the first guiding member (160) (140); and a pair of female receptive structures (181a and 181b) mounted on the first arm (170) and second arm (180) respectively; whereby the first (130) and the second guiding members (140) are brought into the tubular housing (110) as well as compressing the resilient means (160) by turning the knob (150) in one direction that the second arm (180) is positioned to be perpendicular to the second opening (112) and oppositely facing the first arm (170) in parallel once substantial portion of the second guiding member (140) fitted into the tubular housing (110), while the first (130) and second guiding members (140) are pushed out of the tubular housing (110) by the compressed resilient means (160) once the knob (150) is turned to an opposite direction.

Description

AN IMPROVED BONE HOLDING DEVICE FOR LIMB SUPPORT FRAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device used to hold fractured bone of a limb in a particular position during surgical procedures. Particularly, the disclosed bone holding device is used in conjunction with other apparatus to provide support for fractured or deformed lower limb in a desirable position to allow surgical treatment including internal or external fixation to be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Long bones located at human limbs, for example tibia bone, are frequently operated bone in human body because it is commonly involved in fracture or growth disturbance. Accurate alignment is necessary to avoid long term degenerativeproblems and degraded functional performance. Conventional treatment includes open or closed reduction to accurately align the fractured bone and fix it at a correct position. However, tedious procedures may be required to achieve accurate alignment of the bone. Generally one of the bone segments can be stabilized by strapping the limb onto a frame or the operating table. Another segment will need to be pulled orreduced into proper alignment before it can be fixed with internal or external implants. For example, a wire or a rod has to be inserted through the a pre drilled hole in the bone to allow the bone to be pulled or reduced. Not only the drilling process is time consuming, but it involves usage of different operation tools which can be inconvenient for the surgeon performing the procedure. Therefore, development of amuch simplified holding device for bone segments is well appreciated.

United States patent with publication no. 2004260233 claims an external fixation device to relieve pressure from the lower leg by elevating it above a support surface. The device includes a frame, a supporting member and transfixation wires that areinserted into a lower leg bone and at least one foot bone. The transfixation wires are adjustably connected to the support member which in turn is adjustably connected to the frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The major object of the present invention is to improve the treatment outcome of fractured or deformed bone of a limb. 5

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device to hold the bone segments of a fractured limb which ease the bone fixation process through the unique mechanism. Specifically, the fixation and release of the bone in the present invention can be done by turning a single knob without using drilling apparatus to drill through lOthe bone.

Further object of the present invention includes using a pair of sterile fixation pins to securely hold one of the bone segments without the need to penetrate through the whole diameter of the bone 15

Still object of the present invention to offer an improved bone or limb holder useable for limbs of vary size.

At least one of the preceding objects is met, in whole or in part, by the present 0invention, in which one of the embodiment of the present invention is a bone holding device (100) for limb comprising a tubular housing (110) having a first opening (111) and a second opening (112)at both end; a rod (120) with one end (121) attached onto a first guiding member (130) and a threaded section (122) at another end, telescopically inserted into the tubular housing (110) through the second opening (112); a knob 5(150) with a receiving part (151) inserted into the tubular housing (110) via the first opening (111) to accept the threaded section (122); a resilient means (160) positioned within the housing (110) in between the knob (150) and the first guiding member

(140); a first arm (170) perpendicularly extended from the tubular housing (110) around the first opening (111); a second arm (180) attached to a second guiding 0member (140) which is hingably connected to the first guiding member (160); and a pair of fixation pins (190a and 190b) with sharp tips that each mounted on the first

(170) and second arms (180) respectively; whereby the first (130) and the second guiding members (140) are brought into the tubular housing (110) as well as compressing the resilient means (160) by turning the knob (150) in one direction that the second arm (180) is positioned to be perpendicular to the second opening (112) and oppositely facing the first arm (170) in parallel once substantial portion of the 5second guiding member (140) fitted into the tubular housing (110), while the first (130) and second guiding members (140) are pushed out of the tubular housing (110) by the compressed resilient means (160) once the knob (150) is turned to an opposite direction.

lOIn the preferred aspect, the pair of fixation pins is detachably mounted on the first arm and second arm respectively. Likewise, the first arm (170) and second arm (180) are detachably mounted on the tubular housing (110) in another embodiment.

Another aspect of the present invention further comprises a mounting means (200) 151ocated on the tubular housing (110) to allow the bone holding device (100) to attach on other apparatus (300).

In order to house the resilient means (160), in one embodiment, the first opening (111) is relatively smaller than the second opening (112) for the tubular housing 20(110).

For communicating the knob and the rod, in one aspect of the present invention, the receiving part (151) is a hollow tube with its inner surface threaded to match the threaded section (122) of the rod (120). 25

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disclosed bone holder;

30Figure 2 shows (a) release of the second guiding member from the housing and

(b) insertion of the second guiding member into the housing; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The most preferred embodiment of the invention is now described with reference tothe figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention, as in figure 1, involves a bone holding device (100) for limb comprising a tubular housing (110) having a first opening (111) and a second opening (112) at both ends; a rod (120) with one end (121) attached onto a first guiding member (130) and a threaded section (122) at another end, telescopically inserted intothe tubular housing (110) through the second opening (112); a knob (150) with a receiving part (151) inserted into the tubular housing (110) via the first opening (111) to accept the threaded section (122); a resilient means (160) positioned within the housing (110) in between the knob (150) and the first guiding member (130); a first arm (170) perpendicularly extended from the tubular housing (110) around the firstopening (111); a second arm (180) attached to a second guiding member (140) which is hingably connected to the first guiding member (160); and a pair of fixation pins (190a and 190b) that each mounted on the first (170) and second arms (180) respectively; whereby the first (130) and the second guiding members (140) are brought into the tubular housing (110) as well as compressing the resilient means(160) by turning the knob (150) in one direction that the second arm (180) is positioned to be perpendicular to the second opening (112) and oppositely facing the first arm (170) in parallel once substantial portion of the second guiding member (140) fitted into the tubular housing (110), while the first (130) and second guiding members (140) are pushed out of the tubular housing (110) by the compressedresilient means (160) once the knob (150) is turned to an opposite direction. The tubular housing (110) of the present invention is preferably fabricated in the shape of rectangular tube, circular tube or even polygonal tube though it is more preferable to be a rectangular tube. As in figure 1 shown, the first opening (111) is relatively smaller than the second opening (112) in the tubular housing. The rim 5around the first opening (111) extends perpendicularly converging towards center of the first opening (111) thus forming a relatively smaller opening thereon provide a base (117) to support the resilient means (160). In this way the resilient means will produce a constant force to push tubular housing (110) and the first guiding member (130) apart owing to its compressed state. Nevertheless, the base (117) is not lOessentially fabricated in such way. For example, the base (117) can be a plurality of wedge members positioned within the tubular housing to support the resilient means (160) that the resilient means (160) still capable of pushing apart the connected knob (150) and the first guiding member (130). Still, in further embodiment which the rim does not extend to form the base (117), the surface of the knob (150) facing the

15tubular housing (110) can perform as the ground to support the resilient means (160) instead and a locking mechanism can be used in conjunction to mount the knob (150) onto the tubular housing (110) to avoid exposing the resilient means (160).

Referring to figure 1, the receiving part (151) of the knob (150) is inserted into the 0first opening (111) to connect to the threaded end (122) of the rod (120). The receiving part is preferably a hollow tube with its inner surface threaded to match the threaded section (122) of the rod (120). Turning the knob (150) in one direction shall pull the rod (120) and the attached first guiding means (130) closer to the first opening (111) and vice versa. Following the preferred embodiment, the present 5invention may equipped with a locking mechanism to securely fix the knob (150) onto the tubular housing (110). Particularly, the locking mechanism prevents the knob

(150) falling off from the tubular housing (110) when it is turned to a direction to disengage the connected threaded section (122) of the rod (120). The locking mechanism can be a screw sandwiching the knob (150) and the tubular housing (110)

30without affecting turning movement of the knob (150) or it can be a stopper simply avoiding overly turning of the knob (150). Considering that any slight looseness in the connection of each element in the present invention, particularly in between the knob (150) and the first guiding member (130), can interfere proper bone holding function, it is crucial to enhance structure integrity of the disclosed device (100). In the more preferable embodiment, the resilient means(160) is positioned within the tubular housing (110) entangling around the rod (120). Thus, the inner diameter of the resilient means, such as spring, is bigger than the diameter of 150. Further embodiment, the resilient means (160) can be disposed in the gap between the rod and the tubular housing (110) with its tips pushing the convergence extension at the first opening (111) and the first guiding member (130).It is important to be noted that the resilient means is maintained in a compressed state as long the rod (120) connected to the knob (150). The compressed resilient means (160) generates a pushing force tended to pull the connected part thus increasing friction at the connected part which means greater external force has to be applied to move the connected parts. Specifically, the compressed resilient means (160) providesthe necessary force to ensure that the connection in between the knob (150) and the first guiding member (130) as well as other attached elements thereof are structurally strong in terms of integrity. Preferably, resilient means (160) is one or more spring and the like.

According to the preferred embodiment, the arms (170 and 180) serves as a pair of clamps to push the fixation pins (190a and 190b) into the fractured bone for traction or reduction in conjunction with the use of a holding or traction device. When the disclosed bone holding device (100) is in use, the fixation pins (190a and 190b) located at different arms shall face one another oppositely at an approximate similar1evel on the corresponding arm mirroring one another. Preferably, the fixation pins (190a and 190b) are located around the tip of the arms. It is most preferred that the fixation pins (190a and 190b) is disposable after each used. Hence, the fixation pins (190a and 190b) are detachably mounted on the arms (170 and 180) in the most preferred embodiment. Pursuant to this embodiment, a pair of female receptivestructures (181a and 181b) may be fabricated on the first arm (170) and second arm (180) respectively; while each of the detachable pair of fixation pins (190a and 190b) bore a sharp tip (191a or 191b) and a male attaching structure (192a or 192b) to be mounted onto the female receptive structures (181a and 181b) on the first (170) and second arms (180). The female receptive structure and the male attaching structure can be matched via thread fixing as illustrated in figure 1.

5It is important to be noted that thickness of each cortex is about 3 to 4 mm in the calcaneum bone and both the cortex may not be of same hardness as well as one pin will probably penetrate first thus leading to unilateral penetration. To avoid unilateral penetration of the bone where one of the fixation pins (190a and 190b) may not penetrate the cortex whilst using the disclosed invention, the fixation pin (190a and

10190b) of the present invention is designed to have a slight protuberance or expanded rim encircling circumference of the tapered section of the fixation pin that forming the sharp tip. Particularly, the expanded rim can be considered as "wedge" to render greater resistance towards the fixation pin (190a and 190b) at certain point while fixing the fractured bone. For example, the first fixation pin (190a) penetrated the

15 cortex and reached the shoulder that the increased resistance will stop its progression and allows the opposite fixation pin (190b) to penetrate the second cortex. In the present invention, the fixation pins (190a and 190b) will be forced into the bone (compressing the bone from both sides) without any rotator motion.

20Similarly, it is possible to make the arms (170 and 180) to be changeable using the same thread fixing mechanism permitting detachment of the arms (170 and 180) from the tubular housing (110) in one embodiment. Specifically, the first arm (170) and second arm (180) are detachably mounted on the tubular housing (110).

25The inventor found that it is important for the present invention to be applicable for different patients. For example limb of a child and an adult can be varied in size. To attain this object, one of the arms, namely the second arm (180), is fabricated to be hingably connected to the first guiding member (130) via the second guiding member (140). When the second guiding member (140) is not positioned inside the tubular

30housing (110), the hinge (135) allows the second guiding member (140) along with the attached second arm (180) to rotate at the horizontal planar. Consequently, the gap in between the fixation pins (190a and 190b) on the two arms (170 and 180) becomes larger as illustrated in figure 3. This feature offer flexibility for the present invention to accommodate a limb section which may be too big to be fitted in between the pins when the second arm (180) is perpendicular to the second opening (112). Subsequently, once the limb section is placed at the desired position, the knob (150) is 5turned to bring the second guiding member (140) back into the tubular housing while the fixation pins (190a and 190b) punch through the skin and fixed on the bone.

Both the first (130) and second guiding members (140) can be snugly fitted into the tubular housing (UO) to avoid potential movement of the second arm (180) caused by lOlooseness. Upon fitting the second guiding member (140) into the tubular housing (110), the second arm (180) is set to the above mentioned position perpendicular to the second opening (112) and mirroring the first arm (170) poised to secure the fixation pins (190a and 190b) onto the fracture bone by turning the knob (150).

15 Apart from that, further embodiment may comprise a mounting means (200) located on the tubular housing (110) to allow the b (100) to attach on other apparatus (300) as in figure 4 to be secure on a limb support frame (300). The mounting means can be a pair of protrusion extending downwardly to fit in slots pre-fabricated on the limb support frame (300). The slots can be lined with insulation material to prevent

20electricity conduction between the whole device and the limb support frame 300.

Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the scope of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bone holding device (100) for limb traction frame comprising a tubular housing (110) having a first opening (111) and a second opening (112)at both end; a rod (120) with one end (121) rotatably attached onto a first guiding member

(130) and a threaded section (122) at another end, telescopically inserted into the tubular housing (110) through the second opening (112); a knob (150) with a receiving part (151) inserted into the tubular housing (HO) via the first opening (111) to accept the threaded section (122); a resilient means (160) positioned within the housing (110) in between knob

(150) and the first guiding member (130); a first arm (170) perpendicularly extended from the tubular housing (110) around the first opening (111); a second arm (180) hingably attached to the first guiding member (160) via a second guiding member (140); and a pair of fixation pins (190a and 190b) with sharp tips that each mounted on the first (170) and second arms (180) respectively; whereby the first (130) and the second guiding members (140) are brought into the tubular housing (110) as well as compressing the resilient means (160) by turning the knob (150) in one direction that the second arm (180) is positioned to be perpendicular to the second opening (112) and oppositely facing the first arm (170) in parallel once substantial portion of the second guiding member (140) fitted into the tubular housing (110), while the first (130) and second guiding members (140) are pushed out of the tubular housing (110) by the compressed resilient means (160) once the knob (150) is turned to an opposite direction.

2. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the pair of fixation pins (190a and 190b) is detachably mounted on the lϊrst arm (170) and second arm (180) respectively.

3. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixation pin has an expanded rim encircling circumference of the sharp tip.

4. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first arm (170) and second arm (180) are detachably mounted on the tubular housing (110).

5. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a mounting means (200) located on the tubular housing (110) to allow the it to attach on other apparatus (300).

6. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first opening (111) is relatively smaller than the second opening (112).

7. A bone holding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving part (151) is a hollow tube with its inner surface threaded to match the threaded section (122) of the rod (120).

8. An bone holding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient means (160) is a spring.