Ankle Replacement Surgical Guide with Integrated Alignment and Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical tools for ankle replacement surgeries are cumbersome, lack visibility during procedures, and require multiple components, hindering efficient manipulation and alignment.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical guides with reduced size and enhanced visibility features, including alignment features and visualization indicators, which facilitate precise alignment and manipulation during ankle replacement surgeries by simplifying the instrumentation and reducing the number of components needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional surgical tools are used for ankle replacement surgeries, then the procedures can be performed with standard instrumentation, but the tools are cumbersome and lack visibility during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: alignment features (fluoroscopic markers), visualization indicators (notches and steps), and tool reception features are combined in one structure. This eliminates the need for separate alignment tools, visualization aids, and positioning devices, directly resolving the contradiction between visibility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical guide incorporates visual indicators including notches and steps that provide enhanced visibility of surfaces to be cut. These visual features allow the surgeon to clearly see alignment and depth information during the procedure, improving illumination intensity/visibility without adding complex instrumentation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical guides are used, then standard procedures can be followed, but multiple components are required which hinders efficient manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical functions are merged into a single guide structure: alignment features for fluoroscopic positioning, visualization indicators for surface identification, and tool reception features for secure tool placement. This consolidation improves ease of operation by eliminating the need to manipulate multiple separate components during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides alignment references for fluoroscopic imaging, visual indicators for cut depth and surface location, and secure reception for various surgical tools. This multi-functionality in a single device directly addresses the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If reduced size surgical guides are developed, then manipulation ability is improved, but durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide is made from a single piece of durable material that provides both the reduced size needed for easy manipulation and the strength required for durability. The monolithic construction eliminates weak points from assembly joints while maintaining a compact, surgeon-friendly size.
Solution Approach 2:
While the guide itself is a single piece, it contains integrated segments or features within its structure (alignment features, notches, steps, tool reception features) that provide specific functions without requiring separate components. This internal segmentation allows functional complexity without external complexity, maintaining both small size and durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical guide includes a body having a shape that corresponds to a shape of an implant to be implanted. The body defines a first opening and at least one hole that is sized and configured to receive a tool. A first alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the surgical guide with a first anatomic plane is coupled to the body. Systems and methods also are disclosed.