Patient-Specific Glenoid Transfer Guide for Precise Implant Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for joint reconstruction fail to address the challenges of bone deficiencies in the glenoid bone, leading to joint instability and pain, and existing methods for implant placement are inefficient in securing implants to the glenoid.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system utilizing a patient-specific orthopaedic transfer guide with a locating component and a bushing to accurately position and secure orthopaedic implants on the glenoid, using guide elements to establish precise trajectories and recesses for implant fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional implant placement methods are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the implant placement lacks precision and secure fixation is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement precisionVSAvoidimplant fixation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Patient-specific locating components are fabricated before surgery based on pre-operative imaging and planning. These components are custom-designed to match the patient's unique bone anatomy, ensuring precise implant placement trajectories are established before the actual implantation occurs during surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A bushing acts as an intermediary element between the locating component and the implant. The bushing is positioned through the locating component's passageway and into the bone, serving as a mediator that guides the implant along a pre-determined precise trajectory while ensuring secure fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If patient-specific locating components are used, then implant placement precision is improved, but the device complexity and customization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory positioning accuracyVSAvoidguide system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locating component is designed with multiple functions integrated into a single device: it provides patient-specific anatomical positioning, establishes precise trajectories, guides the bushing placement, and ensures accurate implant orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate surgical tools and customization steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing is nested within the locating component structure, with the bushing passage positioned relative to the locating passageway. This nested arrangement allows the smaller bushing to be guided by the larger locating component, creating a hierarchical guidance system that simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250359874A1Patient-specific orthopaedic transfer guides and associated methods of repair

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates to surgical systems, devices and methods for planning and implementing surgical procedures. The systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized to establish surgical guides for positioning implants relative to the anatomy.