Bone Cut Guide Positioning via Machined Burr Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for positioning cut guides in orthopedic surgery, such as in total knee replacement, face challenges in accuracy, speed, and consistency, often requiring complex mental mapping and prone to errors due to limitations in traditional computer-aided navigation systems that rely on preoperative imaging or general population designs.
Innovation Solution
The development of an orthopedic surgical device comprising a primary positioning block and a secondary positioning component that engages machined features on the bone, along with a cutting block system that uses navigated instruments to create specific burr zones for precise placement of cutting guides, allowing for patient-specific adjustments without pre-imaging or expensive robotic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional computer-aided navigation systems using preoperative imaging are used, then positioning guidance is provided, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex preoperative imaging systems and robotic components by using a simple burr zone creation approach. The positioning functionality is achieved through direct bone engagement features rather than external imaging guidance systems, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable positioning blocks with engagement features that are machined directly into the bone during surgery. These single-use components eliminate the need for expensive reusable robotic systems and preoperative imaging infrastructure, achieving accurate positioning through simple, cost-effective means.
2Measurement precision
If traditional computer-aided navigation systems are used, then positioning guidance is provided, but surgical time increases due to complex setup and mental mapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating burr zones and engagement features directly on the bone surface during the surgical procedure itself, rather than requiring extensive preoperative planning and imaging. This eliminates time-consuming mental mapping and allows for direct, intuitive positioning of cutting guides during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning blocks serve themselves by engaging directly with the machined burr zones on the bone through complementary geometric features. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for complex computer-guided positioning and mental mapping by the surgeon, significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If general population design cutting guides are used, then standardization is achieved, but patient-specific anatomical variations cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating patient-specific burr zones and engagement features at the specific surgical site on the patient's bone. While the positioning blocks themselves can be standardized components, the engagement features are customized to match the patient's unique anatomy, achieving both manufacturability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the burr zones and engagement features based on patient-specific anatomical measurements taken during surgery. This allows standardized positioning blocks to be adapted to individual patient anatomy by modifying the machined features on the bone rather than requiring custom-made guides for each patient.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples of an orthopedic surgical device for use in operating on a target bone and methods for operating a system for use in orthopedic surgery on a bone are generally described herein. An orthopedic surgical device can include an primary positioning block, and a secondary positioning component removably coupled to the primary positioning block. The secondary positioning component can be configured to: engage a prepared engagement feature machined into the target bone, and guide the primary positioning block to a predetermined position on a target bone. The orthopedic surgical device can include a first cutting block configured to: removably couple to the primary positioning block, and guide a cutting tool to cut the target bone.