Design of an external fixator, extension and angular corrector of tibia using the analytical method of hierarchy

Abstract

In this research, an external fixation device was designed, capable of lengthening and angularly correcting the bad bone formation of the tibia through the process of osteosynthesis. In the design stage of the device, research related to: the process of bone formation, study of the background of existing fixator models in the market, anthropometric study of the Venezuelan population, among other data, was reviewed. From the information, the concept and various design proposals organized by systems were generated, requiring the application of the analytical process of hierarchy for the evaluation and objective selection of the final proposal considering multiple criteria and attributes of the product design. After the selection, the design proposal was materialized through the use of CAD programs, allowing through these programs to define geometries, shapes and materials of the different components of the fixture, which were then validated through static stress and deformation analysis, fatigue studies and convergence of results carried out in CAE computer-assisted engineering programs. With the research carried out, it was possible to develop an external fixator based on Venezuelan anthropometric measurements, with a 33% reduction in its total weight compared to previous designs, as well as a notable simplification in the manufacturing processes, benefiting from the decrease in manufacturing costs.