Flexible Tibial Reamer Approach for Heel-Sparing Ankle Implant Preparation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ankle joint replacement procedures require additional incisions in the heel and extend recovery time due to traditional drilling methods, delaying weight-bearing post-surgery.

Innovation Solution

A method involving resecting the distal end of the tibia, forming a cavity, and using a flexible reamer with a pilot cutting bit to create an intramedullary canal for a tibial implant, guided by a stem reamer assembly for precise alignment and reaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional drilling methods are used to prepare the intramedullary canal, then the canal can be formed for receiving the tibial implant, but additional incisions in the heel are required and recovery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessibilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of drilling from the distal end (heel) upward, the flexible reamer is inserted from the proximal end (anterior side) and advanced downward into the intramedullary canal. This inverted approach eliminates the need for additional heel incisions while achieving the same canal preparation goal, directly resolving the contradiction between surgical accessibility and recovery time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of time

If manual reaming is used from the anterior side, then recovery time is reduced, but precise alignment and centering in the intramedullary canal become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery timeVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide wire is inserted first to establish the correct trajectory and position within the intramedullary canal. The flexible reamer then follows this guide wire, using it as an intermediary reference to achieve precise alignment and centering. This mediator approach maintains the benefits of anterior access while ensuring accurate canal preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid reamer is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to navigate the curved intramedullary canal and achieve proper trajectory is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereamer stabilityVSAvoidtrajectory adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible reamer with a bendable shaft that can conform to the natural curvature of the intramedullary canal. This flexibility allows the reamer to navigate the curved anatomy and achieve proper trajectory while maintaining cutting effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and trajectory adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12440227B2Preparing a tibia for receiving tibial implant component of a replacement ankle

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of preparing a tibial intramedullary canal for receiving a tibial implant such as a stem component of a total ankle replacement prosthesis where an extended cavity is prepared in the tibial intramedullary canal by pulling a tibial reamer bit in the proximal direction from the distal end of a tibia into the tibial intramedullary canal by using a flexible neck tooling introduced through the tibial intramedullary canal from a position proximal to the distal end of the tibia.