Output details

Wire Retainer for Surgical Device

During our interdisciplinary research activities in theatre we identified an issue concerning k-wires in fracture management. The locking and tightening methodologies were archaic and inappropriate. Our research devised a more versatile k-wire management method; this output describes the resulting solution. It has been used in over 2000 procedures and has resulted in dramatic reduction (circa 50%) in the time to achieve wire tensioning. It has the potential to impact on the thousands of patients/year treated with frame fixation, where wire tension maintenance is an issue.

The fundamental research for this patent was conducted at Staffordshire University and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Fundamental issues requiring attention were related to steady state tension within use, and fatigue failure induced by insertion technique. However, are more fundamental aspect was the profile of the locking device that enables the surgeon to lock the wire in place in one simple, safe movement. 3The patent is granted under PCT and is being exploited. Current research is investigating further applications.