What it does
"The lower limb intelligent weight-bearing skeletal traction device" utilizes intelligent sensing and precise algorithms to address the shortcomings of traditional devices, such as complex operation, inaccurate force application, and poor comfort.
Your inspiration
The medical staff had to repeatedly manually adjust the cumbersome weights and pulleys, while the patients endured the discomfort of unstable fixation and skin injuries during the long treatment process. Since prosthetic limbs can dynamically adjust their gait through sensors, why can't this real-time feedback mechanism be transplanted to the bone traction system? So, I and my classmates deeply integrated flexible sensing technology with orthopedic biomechanics to develop this system that can automatically sense and precisely adjust the traction force like an "intelligent hand", thus changing the traditional mechanical traction method.
How it works
This intelligent traction device has redefined the treatment method for fractures through its sophisticated mechanical structure and intelligent control system. The core innovation lies in the fact that the orange telescopic arm is equipped with high-precision pressure sensors inside, which can sense the changes in traction force in real time like an "electronic scale". When the patient moves causing the tension to deviate from the set value, the built-in motor will silently compensate the difference like an "automatic temperature-regulating air conditioner". It can firmly lock different specifications of Stryker pins through a special snap-fit structure, avoiding the skin compression caused by traditional fixtures. The control panel at the bedside replaces the old-fashioned weight plate with an intuitive touch interface, and medical staff can complete the work that previously required repeated adjustment of pulleys by simply clicking the screen.
Design process
The evolution of this intelligent traction device began with upgrading the traditional mechanical traction to a "thinking" intelligent system. In the initial stage, the 3D-printed sensor telescopic arm had a delay problem. After seven iterations of motor and algorithm optimization, it achieved instant response like a mobile phone touchscreen. The fixed structure evolved from the easily sliding ordinary fixture to a "mountaineering buckle-style" double-security buckle, balancing firmness and comfort. The operation interface was simplified from physical knobs to three-step touch control, and the shell was enhanced with night-light markings to improve safety. Each iteration made the device more precise and more user-friendly, ultimately transforming the cumbersome mechanical traction into an intelligent and precise treatment system.
How it is different
This design is characterized by its perfect integration of medical precision and the humanization of intelligent technology. Traditional traction devices are like old-fashioned radios that require manual tuning, while my design uses a built-in "electronic scale" sensor to automatically maintain a traction force precisely to 0.1 kg, eliminating the cumbersome process of healthcare workers repeatedly adjusting weights. The dual-security fixation structure can lock different-sized steel needles in any 360-degree position, and through a silicone buffer layer, it avoids the skin injuries caused by traditional fixtures. The touch interface simplifies the complex mechanical operation into a three-step process of "select - set - run", combined with night-light markings, making this traction device not only have medical-grade precision but also be user-friendly.
Future plans
We will continuously enhance the core functions of this intelligent traction device - by implanting miniature biological sensors to track the healing status of bones in real time, just like installing a "visual progress bar" for the treatment process; at the same time, we will introduce AI algorithms to enable the device to intelligently adjust the traction parameters based on the patient's activities. We are developing a companion doctor platform that supports remote monitoring and multi-device collaboration, and integrates a VR training system, ultimately achieving a complete solution from precise traction to intelligent rehabilitation.
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