Ankle Replacement Alignment Instrument Linkage System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ankle replacement surgery faces challenges in accurately aligning the ankle joint due to the complexity of manually aligning the tibial and talar bones, leading to higher failure rates compared to other joint replacements, necessitating improved tools and methods for precise bone resection cuts.
Innovation Solution
The development of instruments with linkage systems that allow for adjustable varus-valgus angular position and slope adjustments relative to the tibial bone, utilizing screw or gear features to rotate about a fixed point, enabling precise alignment within specific angular ranges (+75° to −75° and +45° to −45°) to facilitate accurate implant placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used for ankle joint alignment, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simple tools, but the alignment precision and surgical success rate deteriorate due to the complexity of manually aligning six degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment instrument is divided into multiple independent adjustment mechanisms, each responsible for specific degrees of freedom (varus-valgus, slope, rotation). This segmentation allows precise control of each alignment parameter while maintaining manageable instrument complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the surgeon to adjust varus-valgus angle, slope, and rotation independently. This dynamic system enables precise alignment adaptation to patient-specific anatomy while maintaining instrument manageability through structured adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-angle instruments are used for bone resection, then the instrument structure is simple, but the adaptability to different patient anatomies and alignment requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument features multiple adjustable components including varus-valgus adjustment (±75°), slope adjustment (±45°), and rotation adjustment, allowing adaptation to diverse patient anatomies and surgical requirements while maintaining a structured, manageable instrument design.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument allows independent adjustment of multiple alignment parameters (varus-valgus angle, slope angle, rotation angle) to match patient-specific anatomy and surgical requirements, providing versatile adaptability without requiring completely different instruments for each case.
3Loss of time
If multiple separate instruments are used for each degree of freedom adjustment, then each instrument can be simple and specialized, but the overall procedural complexity and time required deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment functions (varus-valgus, slope, rotation) that would traditionally require separate instruments are merged into a single integrated alignment system. This allows all six degrees of freedom to be adjusted using one instrument, reducing procedural steps and surgical time while managing complexity through modular integration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally discloses instruments and methods of using those instruments for performing various aspects of ankle replacement surgery. In one embodiment, an alignment assembly for adjusting a position of a guide tool relative to a patient is provided. The alignment assembly includes a proximal housing; a distal housing configured to be connected to the guide tool; and at least one linkage system configured to adjust a relative angle between at least two portions of the alignment assembly. A surgical guide wire is also disclosed. The surgical guide wire includes a distal tip having a tapered or trocar end configured for insertion into a bone; a distal region adjacent to the distal tip; a transition region adjacent to the distal region; and a proximal region adjacent to the transition region.