Ankle Replacement Tibial Positioning for Precise Resection and Trialing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle replacement systems face challenges in accurately sizing and positioning prosthetic components during surgery, leading to potential misalignment and reduced precision in resectioning and trial procedures.
Innovation Solution
A position adjustment device with a tool holder locked to pins on the tibia, allowing for precise adjustments in proximal-distal, medial-lateral, and anterior-posterior directions, facilitating accurate drilling and cutting guides, and enabling the use of tibia and poly trials for optimal sizing and alignment of ankle replacement system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ankle replacement systems are used without a position adjustment device, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the accuracy of component positioning and alignment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjustment device is divided into multiple independent components: a base component that attaches to the tibia, adjustable arms that can be positioned in multiple directions, and locking mechanisms. Each component performs a specific function, allowing precise control over the positioning of surgical tools and trial components while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The position adjustment device is assembled and configured before the actual implantation procedure. The base component is pre-attached to the tibia with appropriate positioning, and the adjustable arms are set to the required positions before beginning the resection and implantation process. This preliminary setup ensures accurate positioning from the start of the critical surgical steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If a position adjustment device with multiple adjustment capabilities is used, then the alignment accuracy of prosthetic components is improved, but the time required for surgery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjustment device incorporates dynamically adjustable components that can be easily repositioned during surgery. The adjustable arms can be moved along guided paths and locked into position using simple locking mechanisms, allowing quick adjustments without time-consuming procedures. This dynamic design enables precise positioning while minimizing the time required for adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces complex manual measurement and positioning procedures with a mechanical system that provides inherent guidance and positioning. The built-in guides, stops, and alignment features mechanically ensure accurate positioning without requiring extensive manual measurement and calculation, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining high precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional drilling and resectioning methods are used without a guided position adjustment device, then the surgical procedure is faster, but the precision of bone preparation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjustment device serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's positioning decisions and the actual bone preparation. It provides physical guides for drill bit placement, resection plane definition, and component alignment. This intermediary structure ensures that each bone preparation step is performed with high precision while maintaining a straightforward workflow that does not significantly slow down the surgical process.
Data Source
AI summary
A position adjustment device having a tool holder is locked to at least two pins projecting from respective anterior facing locations near a distal end of a tibia of a patient. The position adjustment device is adjusted. The position adjustment device is locked with the tool holder at first coordinates in the proximal-distal and medial-lateral directions. The distal end of the tibia is resectioned with a tool positioned on the tool holder, while the tool holder is in the first coordinates in the proximal-distal and medial-lateral directions. The tool is removed from the tool holder. A tibia trial is placed on the resectioned tibia using the tool holder, while the tool holder is in the first coordinates in the proximal-distal and medial-lateral directions. The tibia trial has a size and shape of a tibial tray of an ankle replacement system.