Expandable Locking Reamer With Double-Sided Blades for Precise Bone Reaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reamers struggle with precise control of reaming diameter during surgical procedures, leading to potential over-reaming and unnecessary removal of cortical bone, which can weaken the bone structure.
Innovation Solution
An expandable locking reamer with double-sided blades that can be locked into various positions, allowing for controlled expansion of the cutting diameter without removing the reamer from the bone, ensuring accurate reaming diameters are achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable reamer is used to control reaming diameter, then the ability to adjust cutting diameter is improved, but the control precision of reaming diameter deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer employs dynamically adjustable cutting blades that can be expanded and locked at multiple predetermined diameters. The blades transition from a static fixed-diameter design to a dynamic adjustable design, allowing the surgeon to select and lock at specific diameter increments (e.g., 0.5mm or 1mm steps), thereby maintaining both adaptability and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of cutting diameter from a continuously adjustable variable to a discretely controlled parameter with predetermined lockable positions. This parameter transformation allows the reamer to offer multiple diameter options while preventing over-reaming, as the locking mechanism restricts adjustment to specific safe increment levels.
2Manufacturing precision
If progressive reaming with multiple reamers is performed to achieve desired diameter, then the precision of bone fit is improved, but the surgical time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable locking reamer combines multiple reaming diameters into a single multi-functional instrument. The device can be adjusted and locked at various predetermined diameters, allowing one reamer to perform the work of multiple fixed-diameter reamers, thereby reducing surgical time and instrument exchanges while maintaining precise bone fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer incorporates predetermined diameter settings and locking mechanisms that are prepared in advance during device manufacturing. This preliminary configuration of multiple diameter options eliminates the need for sequential exchange of multiple reamers during surgery, as all required diameter adjustments are pre-programmed into the single device's adjustment range.
3Reliability
If larger reaming diameter is used to ensure adequate space for implant, then the implant stability is improved, but the bone strength deteriorates due to excessive cortical bone removal
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides preliminary anti-action against over-reaming by preventing the cutting blades from exceeding predetermined safe diameter limits. The surgeon can confidently expand the blades to the maximum locked position knowing the locking mechanism will prevent further expansion that would compromise cortical bone strength, thus ensuring implant stability without excessive bone removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides tactile and visual feedback to the surgeon at each predetermined diameter increment. This feedback system allows the surgeon to monitor the reaming process in real-time and stop at the optimal diameter that provides adequate implant space while preserving sufficient cortical bone strength, preventing both under- and over-reaming.
Data Source
AI summary
A reamer comprises a handle, a first shaft extending from the handle in a fixed manner, first and second pivoting blades connected to a distal end of the first shaft, a second shaft extending from the handle in a translatable manner, wherein the handle is rotatable to adjust a position between the first and second shafts to adjust a cutting diameter of the pivoting blades, and a locking mechanism to lock the pivoting blades into different cutting diameters. The pivoting blades can comprise double-sided blades. A method of reaming a bone with an expandable reamer comprises adjusting a cutting diameter of a cutting tip to a first diameter, locking the cutting tip at the first diameter, reaming a first diameter bore into the bone, unlocking the cutting tip, expanding the cutting diameter to a second diameter, relocking the cutting tip, and expanding the first diameter bore.