Arthroplasty Cutting Guide with Virtual Pin Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning cutting guides in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors due to the complexity of manual adjustment mechanisms and the variability of patient anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a plurality of bone pins inserted within a virtual plane relative to a cut plane, with a cutting guide configured to be received onto these bone pins, and guide slots within the cutting guide to guide a surgical saw for precise bone cuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are used to align cutting guides, then the cutting guide can be positioned on the bone, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical plan is created in advance using pre-operative imaging data, defining the precise location and orientation of bone cuts and implant placement. Virtual pin planes are generated beforehand to guide pin insertion, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative manual adjustments and significantly reducing operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a computer-assisted system that uses tracked instruments and real-time feedback. The system provides electronic guidance for pin insertion and cutting guide placement, substituting labor-intensive manual alignment with automated computational guidance.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then the cutting guide can be accurately oriented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a computer-assisted system that uses tracked instruments and real-time feedback. The system provides electronic guidance for pin insertion and cutting guide placement, substituting mechanically complex multi-degree-of-freedom adjustments with simpler, guided procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical plan and virtual pin planes act as intermediaries between the surgeon's intent and the physical cutting guide placement. The computer system processes the surgical plan and provides step-by-step guidance, mediating the alignment process and eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If anatomical landmark referencing is used to align cutting guides, then the guide can be positioned without complex mechanisms, but patient anatomy variability causes alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces anatomical landmark referencing with a computer-assisted system that uses pre-operative imaging data and virtual pin planes. The system provides precise, patient-specific guidance based on individual anatomy captured in advance, eliminating variability issues while maintaining simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from using variable anatomical landmarks to using fixed, pre-determined virtual pin planes derived from pre-operative imaging. This parameter change ensures consistent, accurate alignment tailored to each patient's unique anatomy without relying on variable intraoperative anatomical references.
4Manufacturing precision
If passive navigation or image-guidance is used, then the cutting guide alignment can be monitored, but the surgeon must constantly reference a monitor introducing error and prolonging the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time tracking of instruments and cutting guides with immediate visual feedback displayed to the surgeon. This active feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to see alignment status directly during the procedure, enabling quick corrections without constantly referencing external monitors and reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system acts as an intermediary that processes tracking data and provides real-time guidance information directly to the surgeon. This intermediary function consolidates monitoring and guidance into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate monitor references and reducing procedural delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to facilitate the insertion of the bone pins coincident with the one or more virtual planes.