Bunion Osteotomy Instrument Assembly for Precise Bone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments and guides fail to adequately address the unique properties of joint anatomy, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes in procedures such as bunion correction.
Innovation Solution
An instrument system comprising a first cut guide, an actuation instrument with a handle and a paddle, and a compression mechanism, designed to manipulate and align bones like the first metatarsal, ensuring precise cuts and alignments during bunion procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current surgical instruments and guides are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the precision and accuracy of bone alignment is insufficient due to failure to account for joint anatomy properties
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument system is divided into multiple specialized components including cut guides, actuation instruments, and compression mechanisms. Each component performs a specific function in the bone realignment process, allowing for precise control at each stage while maintaining overall system manageability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument system incorporates features specifically designed to account for local joint anatomy properties. The cut guides and actuation instruments include anatomical references and positioning features that adapt to the specific geometry of the first metatarsal and adjacent bones, enabling precision alignment that respects the unique characteristics of each patient's joint structure.
2Reliability
If current surgical methods are used, then the procedure can be completed, but the success rate is decreased due to inadequate addressing of joint anatomy properties
Solution Approach 1:
The cut guides are designed to be positioned and secured to the first metatarsal before making the actual cut. This preliminary positioning ensures that the subsequent bone resection and realignment will achieve the desired anatomical correction. The guides include pre-configured references that automatically account for joint anatomy properties, reducing the need for complex intraoperative adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation instrument serves as an intermediary tool that transfers force and control from the surgeon to the bone structures. It includes a paddle that contacts the resected surface of the first metatarsal and a shaft that transmits actuation forces, enabling precise control of bone movement while protecting surrounding tissues. The compression mechanism acts as another intermediary to apply controlled compression forces to stabilize the realigned bones.
3Measurement precision
If bone repositioning and rotation are performed manually, then some alignment can be achieved, but accuracy is insufficient without specialized instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation instrument is designed with multiple functions integrated into a single device. It includes a paddle for contacting and moving the first metatarsal, a shaft for transmitting forces, and can be combined with the compression mechanism. This multi-functional design achieves precise bone positioning while reducing the total number of separate instruments needed, balancing measurement precision with manageable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument system includes a first cut guide and an actuation instrument. The actuation instrument includes an upper portion having a handle and a first cannulation, and a lower portion releasably couplable with the upper portion. The lower portion includes a shaft, a second cannulation, wherein the second cannulation is coaxial and in fluid communication with the first cannulation, and a paddle configured to abut a resected surface of a first bone. The instrument system also includes a compression mechanism releasably couplable with the lower portion, the compression assembly couplable with the first bone and a second bone The compression assembly includes an actuator configured to bias at least one of the first bone and the second bone toward the other of the first bone and the second bone. A method for using the instrument system is also disclosed herein.