Integrated Bone Cutting Guide with Rotatable Fulcrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack a comprehensive solution for efficiently and accurately cutting bones and realigning joints, particularly in procedures like hallux valgus correction, where precise alignment and minimal tissue disruption are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A combined bone cutting and joint realignment instrument featuring an integrated spacer body, bone preparation guide, and rotatably coupled fulcrum body, allowing for precise positioning and manipulation during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate instruments are used for bone cutting and joint realignment, then each function can be performed with dedicated tools, but the procedural time increases and alignment accuracy decreases due to multiple instrument exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines bone cutting guide and joint realignment spacer functions into a single integrated instrument. The guide body includes both cutting guide surfaces for osteotomy and a spacer component for joint realignment, eliminating the need for separate instruments and reducing procedural time through simultaneous positioning of both functions
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed rigid connection is used between spacer and fulcrum, then alignment precision is maintained, but flexibility in positioning and manipulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic connection mechanism between the spacer and fulcrum components, allowing relative movement and adjustment during positioning. This enables the instrument to adapt to anatomical variations while maintaining alignment precision through controlled flexibility rather than rigid fixation
3Ease of operation
If the fulcrum body is freely rotatable relative to the spacer body, then flexibility in manipulation is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates due to excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controlled dynamic connection between the fulcrum body and spacer body that permits limited rotation and adjustment during positioning, then stabilizes the relationship once optimal alignment is achieved. This provides both manipulation flexibility and alignment stability through regulated movement rather than complete freedom or rigid fixation
Data Source
AI summary
A bone cutting and joint realignment instrument may include an integrated spacer body, bone preparation guide, and fulcrum body. The spacer body is configured to be inserted into a joint space between a metatarsal and an opposed cuneiform of a foot. The bone preparation guide body is affixed to the spacer body with the spacer body extending downwardly from the bone preparation guide body. The bone preparation guide body can define at least one guide surface configured to be positioned over at least one of the metatarsal and the opposed cuneiform. The fulcrum body may be rotatably coupled to the spacer body within a bounded range of rotation, such as a bounded range of less than 45 degree. The fulcrum body can be configured to be inserted in an intermetatarsal space between the metatarsal and an adjacent metatarsal.