Coordinate Mapping System for Subchondral Bone Defect Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical methods for treating joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, such as HTO and TKA, are invasive, have limited durability, and provide inconsistent pain relief, as they often focus on articular surface defects rather than subchondral bone issues.

Innovation Solution

A coordinate mapping system using anatomical landmarks and a radial grid template to accurately locate bone defects, combined with treatment modalities like injectable bone substitutes and osteogenic agents to stabilize and stimulate subchondral bone healing, offering an alternative to traditional joint replacement procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional joint replacement procedures (HTO or TKA) are performed, then pain relief and joint function restoration are achieved, but the procedure is invasive, has limited durability, and provides inconsistent pain relief

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepain relief consistencyVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the treatment approach by separating the diagnostic mapping phase from the treatment delivery phase. The coordinate mapping system independently identifies subchondral defects, allowing targeted treatment without requiring full joint replacement. This segmentation enables less invasive procedures while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by focusing treatment precisely on identified subchondral bone defects rather than treating the entire joint. The coordinate mapping system locates specific defect coordinates, enabling localized injection of osteogenic agents or bone substitutes only where needed, reducing overall surgical invasiveness while improving pain relief consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If surgical focus is placed on articular surface defects, then cartilage damage is addressed, but subchondral bone issues remain untreated leading to inconsistent outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsubchondral defect localization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds a new dimensional aspect to joint assessment by introducing coordinate mapping that reveals subchondral bone defect locations not visible on standard radiographs. This dimensional change from surface-level imaging to deep bone structure mapping enables identification and treatment of previously undetected subchondral issues, improving overall treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinate mapping system acts as an intermediary between standard radiographic imaging and treatment delivery. It translates conventional X-ray images into precise defect location coordinates, bridging the gap between visible articular surface changes and hidden subchondral bone pathology, thereby enabling accurate localization and targeted treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If invasive surgical procedures are performed to ensure accurate defect treatment, then subchondral defects can be addressed, but recovery time increases and patient morbidity rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect treatment precisionVSAvoidrecovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical surgical intervention with a coordinate-based mapping and targeted injection system. Instead of using invasive mechanical procedures to access and treat subchondral defects, the system uses precise coordinate identification followed by minimally invasive injection of therapeutic agents, thereby maintaining treatment precision while dramatically reducing recovery time and patient morbidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2501281B1Coordinate mapping system for joint treatment
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS INC
  • EP2501281B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2501281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2501281B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A coordinate mapping system is provided for locating a defect in a bone. The system comprises a positioning instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target site, the instrument comprising a main body and a rail extending from the main body, the rail including a series of indicia corresponding to predefined grid lines, and a template configured to overlay an image of a bone having a defect at the target site, the template including a predefined grid for determining a set of coordinates to locate the target site using the positioning instrument. A method of accessing a target site near a defect in a bone using the radial coordinate mapping system is also provided.