Guide Instrument System for Bone Access Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical access devices, such as cannulas and trocars, face challenges during bone treatments due to high resistive forces and the risk of over-insertion or damage to cortical and cancellous bone, leading to incomplete fill and extravasations, which necessitate improved control and alignment during insertion.

Innovation Solution

A guide instrument system with a cartridge and translatable arm, including a probe and handle, provides depth and trajectory control for access devices like cannulas or needles, allowing power-driven insertion with alignment markers and a depth control sleeve to ensure precise placement within the bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard trocar and cannula are used to create a portal for bone treatment, then access into the bone is achieved, but the cannula plunges too far forward when overcoming large resistive forces, causing damage to cortical and cancellous bone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of cannula insertion depthVSAvoiddamage to cortical and cancellous bone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guide instrument is introduced as an intermediary device between the cannula and the bone. The guide instrument includes a guide shaft that is inserted into the bone first, serving as a mediator to define the precise insertion path and depth for the subsequent cannula placement, thereby preventing over-insertion and bone damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide instrument is inserted into the bone before the cannula to establish the correct insertion trajectory and depth marker in advance. This preliminary action creates a reference framework that guides the subsequent cannula insertion, ensuring accurate depth control before the actual treatment begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the cannula is manually twisted into the bone to create access, then insertion is achieved, but an oval cavity is created in the cortical bone negating the seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrity in cortical boneVSAvoidoval cavity in cortical bone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The manual twisting mechanical action is replaced by a powered drilling mechanism. The guide instrument is rotated using a power tool, which provides controlled rotational force to create a round burr hole in the cortical bone, eliminating the oval cavity formation caused by manual twisting while maintaining seal integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If powered tools are used to drive the access device directly into the bone, then insertion speed is improved, but depth control and alignment precision are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion speed of access deviceVSAvoiddepth control and alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide instrument serves as a mediator that combines powered insertion capability with precise depth control. The guide shaft, when rotated by a power tool, maintains accurate alignment and depth markers throughout the insertion process, allowing high-speed insertion while preserving measurement precision through the guide's structural reference system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide instrument incorporates depth markers and alignment features that provide real-time feedback on insertion depth and trajectory. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to monitor and control the insertion process continuously, ensuring precise depth and alignment even when using powered tools for rapid insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2967595B1Surgical access tools, guide instruments and accessories for subchondral treatment of bone
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 ZIMMER KNEE CREATIONS INC
  • EP2967595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2967595B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2967595B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

One embodiment disclosed provides a guide instrument for controlling the depth and trajectory of a surgical access device into a bone.