Bi-Planar Bone-Cutting Instrument for Precise Joint Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments lack efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility in correcting bone deformities such as hallux valgus, particularly in realigning the first metatarsal relative to adjacent metatarsals and cuneiforms, leading to functional disability and foot pain.
Innovation Solution
A bi-planar instrument comprising a spacer body and fulcrum body, with a connecting member, is used to position and stabilize the bones, allowing precise bone preparation and realignment by guiding bone preparation instruments and preventing lateral shifting during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical instruments are used for bone realignment, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility of correcting bone deformities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated instrument: the spacer body for positioning, the fulcrum body for realignment, and the connecting member for structural linkage. This merging of components eliminates the need for multiple separate instruments, thereby improving both accuracy and surgical efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer body is inserted into the joint space before the actual bone cutting and realignment procedures. This preliminary positioning action establishes the correct spatial relationship and alignment between bones beforehand, ensuring accurate subsequent operations and reducing the need for adjustments during surgery
2Manufacturing precision
If bone realignment is performed without a stabilizing fulcrum, then the procedure is simpler, but the bone may shift laterally during realignment, reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum body acts as an intermediary element between the metatarsal and adjacent structures. It provides a stable pivot point that mediates the realignment process, preventing direct contact and potential lateral shifting between the metatarsal and surrounding tissues, thereby improving positioning accuracy
3Reliability
If a connecting member is added to link the spacer body and fulcrum body, then the relative position is controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into distinct functional modules: the spacer body for positioning, the fulcrum body for realignment, and the connecting member for linkage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining controlled relative positions through the connecting member, improving reliability without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument that defines a spacer body connected to a fulcrum. The spacer body portion of the instrument can be inserted into a joint space between opposed bone ends. The fulcrum body can be inserted between adjacent metatarsals. An angle set between the spacer body and fulcrum body can help properly position both features within different joint spaces for ensuring that subsequent steps of the surgical procedure are properly performed and instrumentation is appropriately aligned.