Circular Fixator for Ankle Alignment and Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current total ankle replacement surgeries face challenges in stabilizing the ankle joint, aligning bones, and placing implants due to joint destabilization from incompetent ligaments and bone removal, making it difficult for surgeons to achieve accurate alignment and proper implant positioning.
Innovation Solution
A fixation apparatus is developed that includes a base with a foot plate and support structures for stabilizing the ankle, allowing for simulated weight-bearing and internal/external foot rotation, enabling precise alignment and fixation of the tibia and talus for accurate placement of a total ankle prosthesis, including the use of reamer bases to enlarge voids for augment components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a total ankle replacement is performed, then the ankle joint can be replaced, but it is difficult to stabilize the ankle joint and align bones due to joint destabilization from incompetent ligaments and bone removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a fixation apparatus before implant placement to stabilize the ankle joint and align bones. The apparatus includes a base with foot plate and support structures that are attached to the patient's foot and leg bones prior to prosthesis insertion, creating a stable framework that compensates for ligament incompetence and bone removal. This preliminary stabilization allows subsequent implant placement to proceed with proper alignment and positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If bone removal is performed during total ankle replacement, then the prosthesis can be implanted, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to joint destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation apparatus is segmented into multiple independent components including a base, foot plate with multiple members, support structures, and positioning assemblies. Each segment can be independently attached to specific bone structures (tibia, talus, foot bones) to provide localized stabilization and alignment control. This segmentation allows precise positioning of each bone relative to the others while accommodating the changes from bone removal.
3Reliability
If the foot plate is fixed to the base, then the foot can be stabilized, but the ability to rotate the foot plate for alignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the foot plate and base transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The positioning assembly includes mechanisms that allow the foot plate to be rotated and adjusted to different orientations relative to the base during the surgical procedure. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to optimize alignment while maintaining stable fixation of the foot bones through the foot plate members.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a base. A support is attached to the base. The support is shaped to receive a calf of a person and adapted to receive a wire or pin for securing a tibia of a person. A foot plate is attachable to the base. The foot plate has a plurality of attached members. The members are configured for receiving at least a first wire or pin to fix a foot of the person relative to the foot plate while the foot plate is oriented normal to a superior-inferior direction of the foot. The foot plate is rotatable relative to the base while the foot plate is attached to the base.