External Fixation System for Orthopedic Surgery

Sammanfattning

External fixators are a crucial tool for stabilizing time-sensitive large-bone fractures during trauma care. Due to high forces from surrounding soft tissue, particularly in the case of diaphyseal femoral fractures, significant manual effort is often required for fracture reduction, tying up equipment and personnel. This thesis addresses this challenge by improving a novel device that integrates multiple functions into a single, universal apparatus. With its ability to assist in bone fragment alignment and secure fixation while counteracting tissue loads, the device enables a single professional to perform the surgery. Advanced mechanical joints have been developed to enhance the device’s functionality, with a focus on guiding bone alignment in a controlled manner. These joints allow the operator to gradually limit the device’s degrees of freedom during their locking process. The designs were thoroughly validated through multibody finite element analysis, and prototypes were produced using additive manufacturing.