Adjustable Acetabular Reamer Head with Selective Cutting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic reamer systems require multiple handles and reamer heads of different sizes, leading to inefficiencies in surgical procedures, increased instrument handling, and higher risks of cross-contamination due to the need for multiple instruments.
Innovation Solution
A reamer system with a reamer head featuring a plurality of cutting elements that can be selectively configured to change geometry, allowing incremental reaming using a single device, thereby reducing the number of instruments needed and simplifying the surgical process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple reamer handles and reamer heads are used to achieve incremental reaming, then the desired bone surface preparation and implant fit are achieved, but the number of instruments increases, surgical time increases, and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer head is designed with multiple cutting elements of different sizes that can be selectively engaged, allowing a single reamer head to perform multiple reaming sizes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple reamer heads and handles, reducing instrument complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve precise bone surface preparation and incremental reaming
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer head incorporates a mechanism that allows dynamic selection and engagement of different cutting elements during the surgical procedure. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to switch between different reaming sizes without changing the entire reamer assembly, thereby reducing instrument handling while maintaining manufacturing precision for bone surface preparation
2Productivity
If multiple reamer handles are used to maintain continuous reaming workflow, then surgical productivity is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination and sterilization burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal reamer head that can perform multiple reaming sizes through selective engagement of cutting elements, the system eliminates the need for multiple reamer handles. This reduces the number of instruments that require sterilization and handling, thereby decreasing cross-contamination risk while maintaining surgical workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple reaming functions into a single reamer head assembly by integrating multiple cutting elements. This consolidation reduces the number of separate instruments needed, simplifying sterilization protocols and reducing cross-contamination risks associated with handling multiple reamer handles during the surgical procedure
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple reamer heads of different sizes are used to achieve incremental reaming, then the proper bone surface and implant fit are obtained, but the time required for instrument handling and sterilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer head includes a dynamic mechanism that allows selective engagement of different cutting elements during the procedure. This enables the surgeon to switch between reaming sizes without removing and replacing entire reamer heads, significantly reducing instrument handling time while maintaining the precision needed for proper implant fit
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting elements are pre-configured in the reamer head in different sizes and positions. This preliminary arrangement allows the surgeon to select the appropriate cutting element for each incremental reaming step without requiring separate reamer heads, thereby reducing instrument handling time while maintaining implant fit precision
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are examples of adjustable orthopedic reamer heads and methods for preparing a bone to receive an implant. The adjustable reamer heads and methods can include changing a cutting characteristic such as the size of an adjustable reamer head. In an illustrative example of an adjustable reamer head, the reamer head can include a housing, an actuator and a plurality of cutting elements. The plurality of cutting elements can be retained by the housing and can be operably coupled to the actuator. The plurality of cutting elements can include a first size cutting element and a second size cutting element. When the actuator is actuated, the first size cutting element and the second size cutting element can move relative to one another to change from a first cutting size to a second cutting size.