Ankle Replacement Alignment Guide with Radiopaque Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle replacement surgeries face challenges in achieving precise alignment and implantation of prosthetic components due to the complex anatomy of the ankle joint, leading to potential inaccuracies and complications.
Innovation Solution
A surgical alignment system comprising a guide arm, ratchet arm frame, ratchet arm, and sagittal sizing guide body with radiopaque objects for precise alignment and fluoroscopic verification, along with a cutting system and insertion device for accurate placement of prosthetic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ankle replacement surgery is performed without specialized alignment tools, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster, but the alignment precision and implantation accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical alignment system is divided into multiple independent components including guide arms, ratchet arms, sizing guides, and fixation elements. Each component performs a specific function (alignment, positioning, sizing, or fixation) and can be independently manipulated during surgery, allowing complex alignment tasks to be broken down into manageable steps while maintaining overall system precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specialized intermediary tools such as guide arms and ratchet arms that act as mediators between the surgeon and the bone structure. These intermediaries provide precise mechanical guidance and control during implantation, enabling accurate alignment without requiring the surgeon to directly manipulate complex alignment geometry, thus improving precision while managing system complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment systems with multiple components are used, then alignment precision and implantation accuracy are improved, but the surgical procedure time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs pre-configured alignment guides and pre-marked positioning features that are prepared before surgery. The guide arms and ratchet arms come with predetermined geometric relationships and adjustment ranges, allowing surgeons to quickly establish accurate alignment without performing complex calculations or adjustments during the procedure, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining high implantation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system incorporates self-aligning features such as tapered fittings, self-locking ratchet mechanisms, and auto-positioning guide structures. These features automatically adjust and lock into optimal positions during assembly, reducing the need for manual fine-tuning and minimizing the time required to achieve precise implantation alignment
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
Enhances the precision and accuracy of ankle replacement surgeries by providing a systematic approach for aligning and implanting prosthetic components, thereby improving surgical outcomes and patient quality of life.
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
A surgical positioning system including a rotation guide slide and a rotation guide pointer configured to be coupled to the rotation guide slide. The rotation guide pointer includes a base and a pointer extension. The base includes protrusion and a hole extending through the base and the protrusion where the protrusion is sized and configured to be received within a channel such that the rotation guide pointer can translate parallel to a plane defined by the first side of the rotation guide slide. The hole is sized and configured to receive a screw to fix the position of the rotation guide pointer relative to the rotation guide slide, with the protrusion configured to expand when the screw is advanced in the hole.