Autonomous Bone Resection Mechanism for Preplanned Surgical Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical resection devices for bone procedures, particularly in total knee replacement, require manual guidance by surgeons and computer-aided navigation systems, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A resection device that operates autonomously, comprising a fastening element, a base element, and rotatable and movable connecting elements with independent drives, allowing for precise bone resection without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual guidance by surgeon is used, then ease of operation is improved, but procedure time increases and precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual guidanceVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The resection device autonomously executes the resection procedure without requiring continuous manual guidance or real-time surgeon intervention. The device self-regulates its movements along the predefined path using its own drive mechanisms, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resection path is planned and predefined before the actual resection procedure. The device follows this pre-calculated path automatically, eliminating the need for real-time alignment and navigation during surgery, thus reducing procedure time while ensuring precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If computer-aided navigation system is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition precisionVSAvoidnavigation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external computer-aided navigation systems by integrating all necessary positioning and control functions directly into the resection device. The device uses its own drive mechanisms and predefined path information to achieve precise resection without external navigation equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The resection path is copied from the pre-planned virtual model directly to the physical execution by the device. The device follows the predefined path information stored in its control unit, eliminating the need for real-time navigation systems while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time alignment is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresection precisionVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The resection path and positioning information are calculated and predefined before the surgical procedure begins. The device follows this pre-established path without requiring real-time alignment adjustments during surgery, thereby maintaining precision while significantly reducing the time spent on alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If autonomous operation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidautonomous control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous resection device is divided into modular functional components: a control unit for path planning, drive mechanisms for movement, and a resection tool. This segmentation allows the complex autonomous function to be achieved through coordinated simple modules, improving productivity while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4659689A1Resection device
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 MEDIVATION AG
  • EP4659689A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4659689A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4659689A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A resection device (10) for resection of at least one bone of a bone assembly (8) without user interaction comprises a fastening element (4) for rigid attachment to the bone assembly (8) and a base element (5) rigidly connected to the fastening element (4). The base element (5) has a base element longitudinal axis (15). The resection device further comprises a rotatable connecting element (1), which is rotatably arranged about the base element (5), wherein the base element longitudinal axis (15) forms an axis of rotation (11) for the rotatable connecting element (1), and a sliding connecting element (2). The sliding connecting element (2) performs a translation along the axis of rotation (11) relative to the base element (5). The resection device (10) further comprises a connecting element (3), which is connected to the sliding connecting element (2) or the rotatable connecting element (1) via a pivot joint (32).The pivot joint (32) includes a pivot axis (31) so that the connecting element (3) can rotate about the pivot axis (31). The connecting element (3) includes an end effector (6) for bone resection.