Flexible Bone Reamer with Variable Diameter Cannula

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone reaming techniques for procedures like reverse shoulder arthroplasty lack efficiency in addressing bone deformities and erosion, leading to inconsistent results and prolonged surgical times due to limitations in tool design and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A bone reamer system with a flexible shaft and cutting element, including a cannula with varying diameters and link members, allows for angled alignment and flexible positioning, enabling precise reaming by coupling with a guide that adjusts to the bone's geometry, minimizing excessive reaming and ensuring consistent results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid shaft is used for bone reaming, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to adapt to bone deformities and erosion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bone deformitiesVSAvoidshaft structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is designed with a flexible portion that allows dynamic bending and adaptation to the bone's geometry while maintaining structural integrity through the cannula structure. The flexible portion enables the shaft to conform to deformities and erosion during reaming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft incorporates a flexible portion with a cannula structure that provides both flexibility for adapting to bone deformities and sufficient structural stability to maintain rigidity during the reaming process, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If conventional reaming techniques are used, then standard procedures are followed, but surgical time is prolonged and results are inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidreaming consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer includes a variable diameter cannula with a first portion and a second portion having different diameters, allowing adjustment to match the specific geometry of the bone being reamed. This parameter variation enables consistent reaming results while improving surgical efficiency by reducing the need for multiple trial procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If excessive reaming is performed to address bone deformities, then bone deformities are corrected, but excessive bone removal occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformity correction precisionVSAvoidbone loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer features a variable diameter cannula with different portions having different diameters, allowing the surgeon to apply the appropriate diameter at the appropriate location along the shaft. This local quality variation enables precise correction of bone deformities while minimizing excessive bone removal, as each section of the cannula can be matched to the specific geometry of the bone at that location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11311301B2Flexible bone reamer

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

A bone reamer is provided and may include a shaft and a cutting element. The shaft may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion. The flexible portion may be disposed between the proximal and distal ends. The cutting element may be carried by the shaft and may include a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft may be offset from the cutting surface.