Collapsible Glenoid Reamer for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoulder arthroplasty procedures face challenges in accessing the glenoid due to the need for large incisions, which can lead to increased bleeding, longer recovery times, and larger scars, making it desirable to develop a glenoid reamer with a reduced profile for minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bone reamer with a collapsible and expandable design, featuring a first and second member with elongated hubs and cutting arms that can transition between a collapsed position for insertion through small incisions and an expanded position for effective reaming, utilizing a track system and biasing mechanism to facilitate rotation and movement between these positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large incision is made to allow reamer insertion and glenoid access, then the reamer can effectively contact and ream the glenoid, but the procedure causes increased bleeding, longer recovery time, and larger scars
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer employs a dynamic collapsing mechanism that allows the cutting arms to transition between an expanded operational position and a collapsed storage position. This dynamic transformation enables the reamer to fit through small incisions when collapsed and expand to full functionality when engaged with the glenoid, resolving the contradiction between minimal incision size and effective glenoid access
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer design nests the cutting arms within the hub structure when in the collapsed position. The first and second cutting arms are positioned within the confines of the first and second hubs respectively, allowing the entire reamer assembly to pass through small incisions while maintaining all necessary cutting components for effective glenoid reaming
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the reamer has a reduced profile for small incision insertion, then tissue damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to collapsing and expanding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer is segmented into distinct functional modules: a first member with a first hub and first cutting arms, and a second member with a second hub and second cutting arms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently simplified and manufactured, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the collapsing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically returns the cutting arms to the collapsed position after engagement with the glenoid, eliminating the need for manual retraction mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the biasing member to automatically reset the cutting arms, reducing operational complexity and improving ease of use
3Productivity
If the cutting arms remain in expanded position, then glenoid reaming is effective, but the reamer cannot be inserted through small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer employs a dynamic collapsing mechanism that allows the cutting arms to transition between an expanded operational position and a collapsed storage position. This dynamic transformation enables the reamer to fit through small incisions when collapsed and expand to full functionality when engaged with the glenoid, resolving the contradiction between minimal incision size and effective glenoid access
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting arms are pre-positioned in the collapsed state within the hubs, ready to be deployed when the reamer is properly positioned in the glenoid. This preliminary configuration allows easy insertion through small incisions, and the cutting arms are then rotated into the expanded position to perform effective reaming
Data Source
AI summary
A bone reamer includes a first member having a first hub and a second member having a second hub. The first hub can extend along a first axis and have a pair of elongated cutting arms that are fixed to the first hub. The elongated cutting arms can extend along a second axis that is generally perpendicular relative to the first axis. The first hub can define a track thereon. The second hub can extend along a third axis. The second member can have a second pair of elongated cutting arms that are fixed to the second hub and extend along a fourth axis that is generally perpendicular to the third axis. The second member can have a track follower extending thereon and that is configured to slidably advance along the track causing the first and second members to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position.