Lower Extremity Fusion Device with Guide Instrument Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current partial foot or ankle fusion devices and methods lack consistency and reproducibility, leading to unpredictable clinical outcomes and inadequate pain relief, as the placement and orientation of bones during fusion procedures are not reliably standardized.
Innovation Solution
A fusion device and method involving a fusion implant with longitudinally extending bone fusion members and a surgical instrument that includes a frame member, outrigger member, and guide member, allowing precise alignment and orientation of the implant to achieve consistent bone fusion, utilizing a fusion implant with externally and internally threaded portions for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plates, implants, screws and other prior art fusion devices are used to achieve partial foot or ankle fusion, then fusion of selected bones can be attempted, but the exact placement and orientation from surgeon to surgeon and patient to patient are rarely consistent, resulting in low predictability of clinical outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide instrument as an intermediary device that mediates between the surgeon's intent and the actual placement of fusion devices. The guide instrument includes alignment features and positioning mechanisms that ensure consistent placement of plates and screws relative to anatomical landmarks, eliminating variability between different surgeons and patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-defining the optimal placement and orientation of fusion devices through the guide instrument before actual implantation. The guide instrument is designed with pre-configured alignment features that establish the correct position and angle for screw insertion and plate placement, ensuring reproducibility before the surgical procedure begins.
2Reliability
If total foot or ankle arthrodesis is performed to maximize pain relief, then pain alleviation is very effective, but almost all foot or ankle motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective fusion of specific bone segments while preserving motion in other areas. The fusion device system allows surgeons to target only the painful or unstable articulations for fusion, while leaving other joints intact to maintain necessary mobility. This localized approach provides pain relief where needed without sacrificing overall foot function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes segmentation by dividing the foot or ankle into distinct bone segments and articulations, allowing independent treatment of each. The fusion device can be configured to fuse specific segments (e.g., tarsal bones, metatarsals) while preserving adjacent joints, enabling customized fusion strategies that balance pain relief with motion preservation based on the patient's specific condition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If partial foot or ankle arthrodesis is performed to preserve motion, then residual motion can be maintained, but consistent and reproducible fusion is not achieved, resulting in inadequate pain relief
Solution Approach 1:
The guide instrument serves as an intermediary that ensures consistent fusion placement while preserving motion in partial arthrodesis. By providing standardized alignment and positioning features, the guide instrument enables reproducible fusion of selected bones while maintaining the desired motion in adjacent joints, resolving the inconsistency problem in partial fusion procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion device system is designed with universal features that can accommodate different partial fusion configurations. The guide instrument and fusion devices can be adapted to various anatomical scenarios and fusion patterns, providing consistent results across different patients and surgical indications while preserving the necessary motion for each specific case.
Data Source
AI summary
A fusion implant and fusion members for fusing target fusion bones of a lower extremity. The fusion implant including internally threaded apertures of a first thread lead, and fusion members including threading of the first thread lead and threading of a second thread lead that is less than the first thread lead. The fusion implant and a targeting instrument being configured to couple to one another in a predefined orientation. The predetermined orientation resulting in alignment of aspects of the fusion implant with aspects of the targeting instrument. The targeting instrument providing both distraction and compression to the joint between the target fusion bones. A guide instrument for preparing one of the target fusion bones for fusion thereof. A surgical method for applying compression to the joint between the target fusion bones to facilitate fusion thereof utilizing a fusion implant, fusion members, a targeting instrument and a guide instrument.