Articulated Knee Positioner for Precise UKA Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee positioners for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are not structurally rigid, easily sterilizable, and do not provide the desired positioning angles, often requiring disruption of the sterile field and additional hardware for full knee replacement conversions.
Innovation Solution
A structurally rigid and easily sterilizable knee positioner that allows precise 110-degree knee angle adjustment without patient movement, enabling setup on either side of the operating table and facilitating conversion to full knee replacement without disrupting the sterile field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional knee positioners are used for UKA surgery, then the basic positioning function is provided, but the structural rigidity and sterilizability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner is divided into multiple separable components including a base component with clamp assembly, an articulated arm assembly with multiple segments, and a leg holder component. This segmentation allows each component to be independently sterilized and assembled in a controlled manner, improving both sterilizability and positioning reliability through precise component alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioner incorporates a universal design with interchangeable adapters and a reconfigurable articulated arm that can accommodate both UKA and total knee replacement procedures. The base component can be configured for different surgical approaches, and the leg holder can be adjusted to provide stable positioning for various knee surgery types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If conventional knee positioners are used, then positioning is possible, but the positioning precision and angle control are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing real-time modification of the knee angle during surgery. The arm can be positioned at various angles and locked into place using simple indexing mechanisms, providing precise angle control without requiring complex adjustment procedures. The system maintains stability once positioned while allowing easy repositioning when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional positioners are used for UKA surgery, then the procedure can continue, but conversion to full knee replacement requires disrupting the sterile field and relocating the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner is designed as a universal system that can accommodate both UKA and total knee replacement procedures through interchangeable components and reconfigurable geometry. The articulated arm and leg holder can be adjusted to provide appropriate positioning for different surgical approaches, and the base component supports various mounting configurations. This eliminates the need to remove the patient from the table or disrupt the sterile field when converting between procedure types.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioner is pre-configured with interchangeable adapters and adjustment mechanisms that allow rapid reconfiguration between different surgical procedures. All necessary components are prepared and sterilized in advance, enabling the surgical team to switch from UKA to total knee replacement by simply adjusting the existing positioner rather than setting up a completely new positioning system.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional positioners are used, then basic positioning is achieved, but the hardware is not structurally rigid and requires pre-configuration for specific sides
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner incorporates asymmetric design elements in the articulated arm configuration and leg holder orientation that allow the same device to be used on either the left or right side of the patient. The arm assembly can be mirrored or repositioned to accommodate different anatomical configurations, eliminating the need for separate left-sided and right-sided positioners while maintaining structural rigidity and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a patient positioner and, more specifically, to an articulated armature configured to position a leg and knee at a precise angle, as needed in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty surgery. The positioner is adapted to connect to either side rail of a support table, without changing orientation, via drop pins disposed in a socket clamp. The socket clamp may couple to a ball coupled to a first arm and elbow joint, which in turn may couple to a second arm and wrist joint, which in turn may couple to a pad assembly adapted to hold the patient's thigh, thereby positioning the lower leg to dangle over the side or end of an operating table. The positioner is adapted for ease of disassembly, sterilization, and reassembly. The invention may be exchanged for a total knee replacement positioner without moving the patient or breaking the sterile field.