Bi-Planar Wedge Osteotomy Cut Guide for Foot Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bi-planar wedge osteotomy in Charcot foot deformity lack precision in aligning planar cuts, leading to inconsistent restoration of a plantigrade foot structure and incomplete reduction of Meary's angle.
Innovation Solution
A cut guide and method involving the use of wires to pivot and align a cutting guide with the longitudinal axes of foot bones, allowing precise guidance of a cutter to make planar cuts that reduce Meary's angle by forming a bi-planar wedge osteotomy, with the cut guide having a slot for guiding a blade and alignment holes for wire fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional cutting methods are used for bi-planar wedge osteotomy, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the alignment precision of planar cuts is insufficient leading to inconsistent restoration of plantigrade foot structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cut guide is pre-configured with slots and alignment features that establish the precise orientation of cuts before the actual cutting process. The guide is positioned and secured to the bone surface in advance, ensuring that subsequent cuts follow the predetermined accurate path, thereby achieving consistent plantigrade foot restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut guide acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the cutting instrument. It translates the desired cut orientation into physical guidance through its structured geometry, mediating the transfer of precise alignment from the guide body to the cutting blade, thus ensuring accurate and reproducible planar cuts.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used, then the surgical procedure can be completed, but Meary's angle reduction is incomplete due to imprecise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The cut guide incorporates radiopaque members that appear distinct under imaging modalities, enabling precise visualization and verification of the guide's alignment with the bone's longitudinal axis. This visual feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to accurately assess and achieve the desired Meary's angle reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut guide extends alignment control from a single plane to multiple dimensions by incorporating features that constrain orientation in both the coronal and sagittal planes. This multi-dimensional guidance ensures that cuts are precisely oriented to achieve accurate bone repositioning and complete Meary's angle correction.
3Manufacturing precision
If a simple cutting guide is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it lacks the alignment features needed for precise bone cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The cut guide is designed as a modular structure with distinct functional segments: a body portion for positioning, slot features for blade guidance, alignment features for orientation, and fixation means for securing to bone. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision, balancing manufacturing feasibility with functional requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The cut guide comprises a body having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, and a straight slot therethrough for guiding a blade, the slot extending from the first face to the second face and being perpendicular to a first axis of the body. The body has a row of holes extending therethrough from the first face to the second face, the row of holes being parallel to the slot. The body is designed to receive or have an elongated member aligned with the first axis.