Adjustable Finger Alignment Plate for Acetabular Cup Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for positioning prosthetic implants, such as acetabular cups, often result in misalignment and incorrect placement due to inefficiencies in anatomical alignment and reaming depth, leading to pain, limited range of motion, increased wear debris, and reduced implant lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an alignment plate with adjustable fingers and a sleeve member, which includes a depth indicator and adjustable mechanisms to ensure precise alignment and correct reaming depth, utilizing image data for personalized anatomical alignment and allowing for preselected orientations and depths during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional visual identification methods are used to align and confirm placement of the acetabular cup, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simple tools, but the alignment precision and placement accuracy deteriorate, resulting in misaligned implants and incorrect reaming depths
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment plate is pre-configured with patient-specific anatomical landmarks and orientation indicators based on pre-operative imaging data. The bone contacting surfaces are predetermined to engage specific anatomical features, establishing the correct implant orientation before the actual implantation occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intraoperative alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment plate serves as an intermediary device between the patient's anatomy and the implant. It includes bone contacting surfaces that engage the patient's anatomy and implant engaging surfaces that guide the implant placement. This intermediary structure translates anatomical features into precise implant orientation, improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional alignment methods are used, then the surgical procedure is faster to perform, but the implant placement accuracy deteriorates, leading to pain and limited range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
Patient-specific alignment parameters are determined pre-operatively using imaging data. The alignment plate is manufactured with predetermined bone contacting surfaces and orientation indicators that encode the optimal implant placement geometry. This shifts the time investment to the pre-operative planning phase, enabling rapid execution during surgery with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system is divided into distinct functional components: bone contacting surfaces for anatomical engagement, orientation indicators for visual guidance, and implant engaging surfaces for precise implant placement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates efficient assembly and use during surgery.
3Measurement precision
If visual identification methods are used for acetabular cup alignment, then the surgical procedure requires fewer specialized tools, but the reaming depth accuracy deteriorates, resulting in increased wear debris and reduced implant lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment plate includes a reaming depth indicator that acts as an intermediary measurement reference. This indicator provides visual feedback on the correct reaming depth, ensuring accurate bone preparation without requiring complex measurement equipment. The indicator is integrated into the alignment plate structure, maintaining device simplicity while improving measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment plate can comprise a body having an exterior-facing surface and an implant-facing surface, at least one adjustable finger extending in a direction transverse to a plane defined by the body, and at least one patient-engaging surface positioned on the at least one adjustable finger. The adjustable finger can be adjustable to vary the distance between the patient-engaging surface and the implant-facing surface. The patient-engaging surface can be configured to engage a portion of a patient to align the alignment plate relative to the patient in a selected orientation. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.