TALK CANCELLED - Fatigue and Fracture Resistance in Cephalomedullary Femoral Nailing Systems: Introducing a Novel Fixation Device Design

This study focuses on addressing challenges in fractured cephalomedullary femoral nailing systems, leading to the development of a new fixation device design. Previous models have exhibited failure mechanisms associated with damage during helical screw insertion, fatigue, and overloading, emphasizing the need for an improved design to enhance system integrity and performance.The primary objective is to understand failure mechanisms, with a specific focus on introducing a novel fixation device design that addresses issues identified in previous models. The aim is to improve the overall stability and durability of femoral nailing systems, thereby mitigating the risks associated with potential damage, fatigue striations, and overloading. The investigation utilizes optical and fractographic examinations, scanning electron microscopy, metallographic qualitative analysis based on ASME F620-00 and ASTM F2066-18 standards, and finite element analysis. Insights from the analysis of previous models inform the design of the new fixation device. Structural enhancements are incorporated to resist cyclic loading, with a focus on lessons learned from surface damage, crack initiation, and fatigue striations. Scanning electron microscopy reveals surface damage, crack initiation, propagation, and final failure areas. Fatigue striations, indicative of mechanical fatigue, are measured at an average length of 0.689 micrometers, suggesting potential failure in as few as 11,000 cycles. Finite element analysis identifies maximum stresses at the contact area between the nail and helical screw, with ultimate tensile and fatigue strengths at 950MPa and 240MPa, respectively. The new fixation device design introduces structural modifications to enhance resistance to damage during helical screw insertion and mitigate fatigue striations. The study presents a redesigned fixation device for fractured cephalomedullary femoral nailing systems, emphasizing improved fatigue resistance. This innovation represents a significant advancement in the evolution of femoral nailing systems, ensuring durability under daily activities and loading conditions, contributing to improvements in implant design and enhancing patient outcomes.