Decoupled Resection Guides for Total Ankle Replacement Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current total ankle replacement (TAR) procedures face challenges in achieving stable and properly aligned prosthetic joints, which is crucial for maintaining the full range of motion in the ankle joint.
Innovation Solution
The use of resection guides with specific patterns of alignment pin through-holes and guide through-holes, along with sweeping reamers and decoupled resection guides, facilitates precise resection of anatomical structures and alignment of prosthetic components during TAR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional resection guides are used in total ankle replacement, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but achieving stable and properly aligned prosthetic joints with full range of motion is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resection guide is divided into multiple bodies (first body and second body) that can be positioned independently on alignment pins. Each body contains its own pattern of guide through-holes, allowing separate control of different resection aspects. This segmentation enables precise alignment control without requiring a single complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide through-holes are arranged in specific two-dimensional patterns on opposite sides of each guide body. The first pattern on the first side and the second pattern on the second side provide different dimensional control for drill hole placement. This dimensional arrangement allows precise control of resection geometry from multiple angular perspectives simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If multiple resection guides with different guide through-hole patterns are used, then accurate sizing and positioning of TAR components is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple guide functions are merged into a single integrated resection guide assembly. The first guide body and second guide body are both supported on the same alignment pins, combining alignment, positioning, and multiple resection guidance functions in one assembly. This reduces the need for multiple separate guide components while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The resection guide assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the alignment pin through-holes provide positioning, the first pattern of guide through-holes guides one set of resection holes, and the second pattern guides another set. This multi-functionality allows accurate component sizing and positioning without requiring separate specialized tools for each function.
3Ease of operation
If alignment pins are used to support the resection guide, then the guide can be properly positioned on the anatomical structure, but the procedure requires additional fixation steps
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment pins are inserted into the anatomical structure before the resection guide is positioned. This preliminary action establishes the positioning framework in advance, allowing the guide to be quickly attached without complex alignment steps during the actual resection process. The alignment pins are prepared and placed beforehand to facilitate subsequent guide attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pins serve as intermediary elements between the anatomical structure and the resection guide. Rather than directly attaching the guide to the bone, the pins mediate the connection, providing a stable intermediate platform that simplifies guide positioning and ensures proper alignment without requiring direct complex fixation to the anatomical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Resection guides include a body a plurality of alignment pin through-holes and a plurality of guide through-holes so that the pattern of guide through-holes is operable for receiving a drill for use in resecting the at least a portion of the anatomical structure of the patient. Sweeping reamers include a body having a plurality of alignment pin through-holes and an elongated opening, and a reamer extendable through the elongated opening of the body. Decoupled resection guides include a first body having a plurality of alignment pin through-holes and a second body having a plurality of fixation pin through-holes and at least one guide aperture operable for guiding a cutting tool for use in resecting a portion of the second anatomical structure of the patient. Methods employing the same are disclosed and operable in, for example, total ankle replacement.