Ankle Replacement Alignment System with Radiopaque Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle replacement surgeries lack efficient and precise systems for aligning and positioning prosthetic components, leading to challenges in achieving optimal joint alignment and ensuring accurate implant placement.
Innovation Solution
A surgical alignment system comprising a guide arm, ratchet arm frame, ratchet arm, sagittal sizing guide body with radiopaque objects, and a cutting system with adjustable cutting guides, along with a surgical positioning system using elongate shafts and diverging portions, and an insertion device with a plunger rod mechanism, to facilitate precise alignment and implantation of ankle prosthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ankle replacement surgery is performed without specialized alignment systems, then the surgical procedure can be completed with basic instruments, but the precision and accuracy of implant placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical alignment system is divided into multiple independent components including guide arms, ratchet arms, sizing guides, and cutting guides. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing complex alignment tasks to be broken down into manageable steps while maintaining high precision implant placement
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates movable and adjustable components such as guide arms that can be positioned at different angles, ratchet arms that can be adjusted to various heights, and cutting guides that can be repositioned. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different patient anatomies and surgical requirements while ensuring accurate implant placement
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex surgical alignment system is implemented, then implant placement accuracy improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs pre-configured guide arms and positioning devices that are prepared before surgery. The guide arms can be pre-positioned on the tibia and talus, and the cutting guides can be pre-aligned to ensure accurate resection angles. This preliminary setup reduces the complexity of intraoperative adjustments and improves ease of operation while maintaining high alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediary components such as guide blocks, positioning pins, and reference markers that facilitate the transfer of alignment information from the surgeon's intent to the actual implant placement. These intermediaries simplify the operational process by providing clear visual and physical guides for each surgical step, making the complex system easier to operate
3Measurement precision
If multiple radiopaque objects and guide components are used, then measurement and alignment precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates radiopaque objects with different radiographic densities and visual characteristics that appear distinct under fluoroscopy. This allows multiple components to be visualized simultaneously with clear differentiation, enabling precise measurement and alignment verification without confusion from the multiple components present in the surgical field
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables accurate and reliable alignment of prosthetic components, improving the precision and effectiveness of ankle replacement surgeries by ensuring proper joint alignment and secure implant placement, thereby enhancing surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The sagittal sizing guide body includes a first radiopaque object disposed at a first position and a second radiopaque object disposed at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position
Data Source
AI summary
Various surgical devices and methods are disclosed herein. Also disclosed is multi-component prosthesis, which can be used as an ankle prosthesis. One of the disclosed surgical alignment systems includes a guide arm, a ratchet arm frame configured to be coupled slidably to the guide arm, a ratchet arm configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm frame, and a sagittal guide body configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm. The sagittal sizing guide body includes a first radiopaque object disposed at a first position and a second radiopaque object disposed at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position.