Design and development of implantable and remote controlled distraction osteogenesis device for limb lengthening practice in children

Mario Eduardo Rodriguez De La O, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Recent technology improvements have been positively affecting medical industry in recent years since procedures and equipment are more precise and reliable. Nevertheless, there are still surgical procedures and medical devices that not fully address specific needs according to medical experts. One of those necessities is focused on options available for children patients when subjected to a surgical procedure named distraction osteogenesis. In general, distraction osteogenesis is performed when skeletal deformities need to be corrected or when bone lengthening is required, typically a mechanism is utilized to elongate bone at a controlled rate. The existing osteodistraction methods for limb lengthening and feasible to be used in children are cumbersome ring metallic structures surrounding the leg, these external rings have metallic pins or wires penetrating the skin and muscle to finally get attached to the bone, it results in constant painful open wounds and high infection risk exposure for several months. On the other hand, most comfortable methods available in the market are designed for usage in adult patients only. For that reason, an implantable device is developed and proposed in this work. In addition, device conceptualization is guided by formal engineering design tools and established engineering design methods to simplify integration of the final device. Moreover, a design flow sequence exclusively developed for this thesis was dictating how components are affected among each other and facilitated design integration. Furthermore, when design revisions were needed the proposed design scheme facilitated the final device concept refinement and integration, solving modifications for one or more particular conditions, even if revisions were related to one particular sub-component only. Design flow sequence allowed replication of design decisions and ordered its occurrence chronologically.

Subject Area

Biomedical engineering|Mechanical engineering

Recommended Citation

Rodriguez De La O, Mario Eduardo, "Design and development of implantable and remote controlled distraction osteogenesis device for limb lengthening practice in children" (2014). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1569920.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1569920

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