Curved Drill Guide for Arthroscopic Microfracture Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microfracture therapy using picks or awls is challenging in locations where direct linear access is difficult or impossible, particularly in arthroscopic procedures like hip surgery, due to anatomical constraints, which limits the application of microfracture therapy to areas such as the acetabular cup.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a curved drill guide and flexible drill bit to create microfractures in an 'outside-in' manner, allowing blood to flow from cancellous bone to the cortical bone bed, combined with a suture passer and retriever to secure soft tissue to the bone, enabling microfracture therapy even in angled or hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional picks or awls are used to create microfractures, then microfracture therapy can be provided, but direct linear access to the bone surface is required which is difficult or impossible in certain anatomical locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to microfracture siteVSAvoidapplicability to different anatomical locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a curved drill guide instead of a straight pick or awl to access the acetabular cup. The curved geometry of the drill guide allows it to navigate around anatomical obstacles and reach the target bone surface in locations where direct linear access is blocked, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to different anatomical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a curved path in three-dimensional space to reach the target site, transitioning from a constrained two-dimensional linear approach to a three-dimensional curved trajectory. This dimensional change enables access to previously unreachable areas while maintaining the microfracture therapy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If direct linear access is required for microfracture therapy, then conventional picks or awls can be used, but anatomical structures can make it difficult or impossible to obtain such access in certain locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of procedureVSAvoidaccessibility to treatment site

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curved drill guide serves as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the target bone surface. It mediates the interaction by providing a curved pathway that bypasses anatomical obstacles, allowing the microfracture instrument to reach the treatment site without requiring direct linear access through obstructing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved geometry of the drill guide enables it to conform to the anatomical curvature of the hip joint and reach the acetabular cup through a path that avoids obstructing structures, thereby maintaining procedural simplicity while improving accessibility to the treatment site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Force

If conventional picks or awls are used, then microfracture holes can be created, but forces required to penetrate hard cortical bone are difficult to generate when access is not substantially aligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration force into cortical boneVSAvoidalignment with bone surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curved drill guide aligns the microfracture instrument with the bone surface by following a curved path, ensuring that the penetration force is applied in the correct direction. This alignment eliminates the need to generate excessive forces at awkward angles, making the procedure easier to perform while maintaining effective bone penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective microfracture therapy and secure attachment of soft tissue to bone in previously inaccessible areas, promoting cartilage regeneration and minimizing interference with articular surfaces, thus addressing the limitations of conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a curved drill guide and flexible drill bit to create microfractures in an 'outside-in' manner, allowing blood to flow from cancellous bone to the cortical bone bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical drilling:

Implementation Method 2

allowing blood to flow from cancellous bone to the cortical bone bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

combined with a suture passer and retriever to secure soft tissue to the bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical attachment: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11234715B2Method and apparatus for providing arthroscopic microfracture therapy

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A method for providing therapy to a patient, the method comprising:providing microfracture therapy to the acetabular cup of the patient, wherein providing microfracture therapy to the acetabular cup of the patient comprises forming at least one hole extending from the acetabular shelf to the cortical bone bed of the acetabular cup, such that blood may flow from the cancellous bone underlying the cortical bone bed to the surface of the cortical bone bed, whereby to form a blood clot at the surface of the cortical bone bed.