Charcot Foot Implant Alignment Guide System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate for effectively correcting and stabilizing flat foot or rocker-bottom deformities, such as Charcot foot, as they lack precise alignment and fixation solutions for bone and elongate member implants.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bone implant with a proximal and distal end, a longitudinal hole, and openings, an elongate member with a coupling mechanism, and an alignment guide that includes a drive tube, driver, and guides for precise insertion and alignment of the implants into the patient's bones, allowing for the correction of flat foot deformities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional implant methods are used, then the procedure is simpler, but alignment precision and fixation stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is divided into multiple functional components: bone implants with specific geometric features, elongate members for stabilization, and alignment guides for precise positioning. Each component serves a specific function, allowing the system to achieve high alignment precision while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment guides serve as intermediary tools that facilitate the precise positioning of bone implants and elongate members during insertion. These guides act as mediators between the surgeon and the implant components, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring complex surgical techniques.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment guides are used, then insertion precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment guides are pre-configured with specific geometric features and attachment mechanisms that enable straightforward attachment to bone implants. The guides incorporate pre-defined trajectories and positioning features that automatically ensure correct insertion angles and depths, reducing the skill level required for precise insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guides and implant components are designed with self-aligning features such as complementary geometric shapes, self-centering mechanisms, and automatic positioning features. These features allow the components to self-correct minor misalignments during insertion, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant system, alignment guide, bone fusion system and surgical method for correction of a flat foot or rocker-bottom deformity, such as a Charcot foot. The implant system includes a bone implant and an elongate member. The bone implant includes a proximal end, a distal end, a hole along a longitudinal axis, and at least one opening intersecting the hole. The elongate member includes a first end with a head portion, a second end with a coupling mechanism, and an opening along a longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism of the elongate member engages the at least one opening to couple the bone implant to the elongate member.