Bone Tunnel Measurement Indicator for Surgical Drill Guides

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical devices lack a feature to provide precise measurements of the bone tunnel length during surgical procedures, which is crucial for the successful reconstruction of joints like the knee.

Innovation Solution

A surgical apparatus comprising a first member coupled with a drill guide and a second member in spaced relation, providing an indication of the thickness of the boney member and measuring the length of a potential bone tunnel, facilitating precise positioning and length determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional drill guides are used, then the bone tunnel can be formed, but the length of the bone tunnel cannot be measured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone tunnel length measurementVSAvoiddrill guide structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator member is positioned within the drill guide structure, with the indicator extending through the curved tip opening. The indicator can move independently within the constrained space of the drill guide, allowing measurement functionality to be nested within the existing guide structure without significantly increasing external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator acts as an intermediary element that translates the position of the drill bit relative to the bone surface into a measurable indication of tunnel length. By introducing this intermediate measuring component, the system gains measurement capability without requiring the entire drill guide to be redesigned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a guide with bent or curved tip is used, then the bone tunnel positioning is facilitated, but the ability to precisely identify location and trajectory is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone tunnel positioningVSAvoidtunnel location and trajectory identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator provides visual information about tunnel trajectory and position through its extension state and position relative to the curved tip opening. The visual indication system allows the surgeon to assess trajectory accuracy without compromising the ease of positioning provided by the curved tip design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator provides real-time feedback to the surgeon about the drill bit's position and trajectory relative to the bone surface. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to maintain ease of operation while achieving precise identification of location and trajectory by observing the indicator's position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If no measurement feature is included, then the device is simple, but the surgeon lacks information to determine bone tunnel placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone tunnel length informationVSAvoidmeasurement feature structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement function is achieved through a simple mechanical indicator system rather than complex electronic or optical measurement devices. The indicator's physical extension and position provide length information through mechanical means, minimizing the addition of complexity while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12290269B2Indicating position and length of a bone tunnel and implementations thereof

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 CONMED CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for indicating the position and length of a bone tunnel, including a first member configured to couple with a drill guide; and a second member in spaced relation to the first member, the second member comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication of thickness of a boney member with the first member disposed on a first side of the boney member and the second member disposed on a second side of the boney member.