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Sterile temporary plate fixation clamps

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Create a zip-tie clamp with an attachment to guide a drill during plate fixation surgery

Project Overview

In open fixation orthopedic surgery, bone clamps are necessary in order to stabilize both portions of a fracture while drilling in a bone plate to avoid slippage and erroneous attachment. It has been found that current bone clamping instruments are inefficient and difficult to use. Many current bone clamps are too flexible while others are too rigid, bulky, and difficult to remove. Therefore, the team theorizes a disposable bone clamp fastens around the bone using a zip tie while providing a tab that locks into the bone plate and guides the surgical drill through the open holes in the plate. Using the current prototype from the past semester of this project, a new and improved approach will be taken to make the prototype better. This clamp will still resemble that of a zip tie, with the detachable tab on the end. However, on this improved design there will be a wire lead that will guide the zip tie around the bone during surgery, moving through any tough connective tissue. In addition, the clamp will be adjusted to better adhere to the plate by having the attachment cup over the plate making it more effective and accurate. The device will also be optimized in material composition to allow for proper removal from the body cavity without complications or small remaining pieces. Using this new zip tie design, it can bring in a modernized approach of making surgery easier and reducing the risks that would be present with a traditional bone clamp.

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Madison Bugel - Team Leader
  • Benjamin Dreher - Communicator
  • Tessa Christopherson - BSAC
  • Sadie Houston - BWIG
  • Jack Maher - BPAG
  • Bethany Erb

Advisor and Client

  • Dr. Colleen Witzenburg - Advisor
  • Dr. Ken Noonan - Client

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