In this paper we aim to improve the understanding of the relationship between unilateral-uniplanar external fixator design parameters and their influences on fixator performance. Stability and strength of bone-fixator construct as well as the quality of healing were defined as our major concerns in order to evaluate the performance of fixator. The roles of six key design parameters were assessed during the early stage of healing by using finite element models. Tissue differentiation within the callus was predicted through the implementation of a mechanoregulation theory of bone healing. Taguchi and ANOVA methods were used to achieve optimal design sets for outputs and to determine contribution percentage of each design parameter on outputs. For improving overall fixator performance, optimal set of design parameters consisting of 2 mm, 8 mm, 120 mm, 20 GPa, 50 mm and 20 mm were determined by Taguchi for pin diameter, rod diameter, rod elevation, fixator Young’s modulus, distance of the nearest pin to fracture site and distance between adjacent pins, respectively. Also, results of ANOVA revealed that rod elevation is the most important design parameter, with 43 % effectiveness on overall fixator performance, which was followed by fixator material and pin diameter with 28 % and 19 %, respectively. Results of this study can assist orthopedic surgeons to achieve an optimal fixator device with respect to the patient’s condition and give insight into the importance of different design parameters.

在本文中，我们旨在增进对单侧-单平面外固定器设计参数之间的关系及其对固定器性能的影响的理解。为了评估固定器的性能，将骨固定器构造的稳定性和强度以及愈合质量定义为我们的主要关注点。通过使用有限元模型在愈合的早期阶段评估了六个关键设计参数的作用。通过实施骨愈合的机械调节理论可预测愈伤组织内的组织分化。Taguchi和ANOVA方法用于获得最佳的输出设计集，并确定每个设计参数对输出的贡献百分比。为了提高整体固定器性能，最佳的设计参数集包括2 mm，8 mm，120 mm，Taguchi用销钉直径，杆直径，杆高，固定器杨氏模量，最近的销钉到断裂部位的距离以及相邻销钉之间的距离分别确定20 GPa，50 mm和20 mm。此外，方差分析的结果表明，杆高是最重要的设计参数，对整体固定器性能的影响为43％，其次是固定器材料和销钉直径，分别为28％和19％。这项研究的结果可以帮助整形外科医生针对患者的状况获得最佳的固定器设备，并深入了解不同设计参数的重要性。分别。此外，方差分析的结果表明，杆高是最重要的设计参数，对整体固定器性能的影响为43％，其次是固定器材料和销钉直径，分别为28％和19％。这项研究的结果可以帮助整形外科医生针对患者的状况获得最佳的固定器设备，并深入了解不同设计参数的重要性。分别。此外，方差分析的结果表明，杆高是最重要的设计参数，对整体固定器性能的影响为43％，其次是固定器材料和销钉直径，分别为28％和19％。这项研究的结果可以帮助整形外科医生针对患者的状况获得最佳的固定器设备，并深入了解不同设计参数的重要性。