Defect Gauge Instrument for Bone Defect Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing bone defects, such as those on articular surfaces, lack effective tools for accurately evaluating and preparing the surgical site to ensure proper graft sizing and positioning, leading to potential instability and pain due to incomplete or misaligned bone reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
A defect gauge instrument with a housing, angle and thickness legs, and pivotable components that allow for precise measurement of retroversion angles and thicknesses of bone defects, enabling accurate dimensioning of grafts and implants to match the defect's characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional bone grafting methods are used without precise measurement tools, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster, but the accuracy of graft sizing and positioning deteriorates, leading to joint instability and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The defect gauge instrument is divided into separate functional components: a housing with channels, an angle leg with actuation pin, a thickness leg, and pivotable arms. Each component performs a specific measurement function (angle measurement via angular ruler, thickness measurement via thickness indicator), allowing the complex measurement task to be broken into manageable segments that can be operated independently yet integrated together.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument introduces intermediary measurement elements (angular ruler, thickness indicator, guide pins) that mediate between the surgeon's needs and the bone defect characteristics. These intermediaries translate complex geometric parameters of the bone defect into readable measurements, enabling accurate graft dimensioning without requiring the surgeon to directly measure the defect with multiple separate tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed measurement tool is used for bone defects, then the device structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different defect geometries and locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument incorporates dynamic elements including pivotable arms that can rotate to align with different defect orientations, slideable thickness legs that adjust to varying defect depths, and actuation pins that move along slots to accommodate different angle measurements. This dynamic design allows the same instrument to adapt to various defect geometries and locations on the articular surface without requiring multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The defect gauge instrument is designed as a universal measurement tool that can measure multiple parameters (retroversion angle, defect thickness, orientation) at different locations on the bone. The combination of pivotable components, adjustable legs, and multiple rulers enables a single instrument to perform functions that would otherwise require several different measurement devices, making it versatile for various defect types and locations.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed measurements of bone defects are taken, then the graft placement accuracy is improved, but the time required for surgical site evaluation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device. The angle leg, thickness leg, and pivotable arms with their respective rulers can all be operated simultaneously or in sequence from one positioned platform on the bone surface. This consolidation allows the surgeon to obtain comprehensive measurements (angle, thickness, orientation) in a single evaluation step rather than requiring multiple separate measurement procedures, reducing total evaluation time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed to be positioned on guide pins that are inserted into the bone surface before detailed measurements are taken. This preliminary positioning establishes a stable reference framework that enables subsequent rapid and accurate measurements. The pre-positioned guide pins and the stable platform they create allow the measurement legs and indicators to be quickly read without requiring repeated positioning or adjustment, thus reducing measurement time while ensuring precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to a defect gauge instrument and method for repairing bone defects. The defect gauge instrument disclosed herein may be utilized to determine one or more characteristics of a bone defect prior to positioning a graft and/or implant at a surgical site.