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Kinematic Study of an Innovative Dynamic Bridging Wrist External Fixator with Arthrodiatasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2011

K.-S. Shih ,
S.-C. Lin ,
Y.-H. Liu ,
T.-H. Chang ,
S.-M. Hou  and
T.-W. Lu
K.-S. Shih*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R. O. C. Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 22060, R.O.C. Institute of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan 10607, R.O.C.
S.-C. Lin*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan 32001, R.O.C. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan 32001, R.O.C.
Y.-H. Liu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.
T.-H. Chang*
Affiliation:
Institute of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan 10607, R.O.C.
S.-M. Hou*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 11101, R.O.C.
T.-W. Lu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.
*
* M.D.
** Ph.D.
*** M.SC.
*** M.SC.
**** M.D., Ph.D., corresponding author
***** Ph.D
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Abstract

External wrist fixators have been widely used to stabilize distal radial fractures. Ideally an external fixator would create a stable environment for the fracture to heal while allowing proper mobility for the wrist. However, this has been a great challenge to the designers.

The current study aimed to develop a bridging wrist external fixator that is easy for surgeons to create a stable environment for the fracture to heal while allowing proper wrist mobility for rehabilitative purposes. The kinematic geometry of the wrist-fixator system was described using loop equations defined by homogeneous transformation matrices (HTM) of the joints involved, and was evaluated numerically for a set of system parameters that are determined by surgeons during surgery. The results were validated with geometric models and computer simulation. The contributions of individual clinical parameters to the kinematic geometry of the wrist-fixator system were also analyzed using the Taguchi method.

Adequate pin placement and hinge alignment function were found to be critical for the postoperative bridged wrist motion. The results of the current study will be helpful for surgeons to perform fixation using the new wrist fixator and for designers to design new fixators in the future.

Keywords

External fixatorWrist fractureBridgingArthrodiatasis
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2010 , pp. 187 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C. 2010

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