Guide Wire Alignment Apparatus for Shoulder Arthroplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mal-alignment of replacement anatomy during medical procedures, such as total shoulder arthroplasty, due to poor visibility and limited access, leads to inefficiencies and potential premature loosening or pain, necessitating further procedures.
Innovation Solution
A guide wire placement apparatus comprising a guide plate and axis guide, which form an alignment unit to accurately position guide wires at anatomical axes, allowing for precise alignment of prosthetic devices despite obstructing anatomical features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If patient-specific instruments are fabricated to facilitate accurate alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but fabrication cost, time, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is divided into separate modular components: a guide plate that couples to the guide wire, and an axis guide that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the components to be manufactured separately using standard processes rather than requiring complex custom fabrication, while still achieving precise alignment when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate and axis guide are designed as universal components that can be used across multiple patients and procedures. The guide plate couples to guide wires of standard dimensions, and the axis guide can be positioned at various angles and orientations, making the system reusable and eliminating the need for patient-specific custom instruments.
2Productivity
If guide wires are placed without alignment assistance, then procedure time is reduced, but alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is pre-coupled to the guide wire before the procedure, and the axis guide is pre-configured with reference markings and angular measurements. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex alignment calculations during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to quickly and accurately position the guide wire by simply following the pre-established alignment features.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If anatomical features are obstructed or have limited access, then visibility is reduced, but alignment accuracy can be maintained with proper tools
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate and axis guide serve as intermediary tools that translate difficult-to-visualize anatomical relationships into easily observable alignment features. The axis guide provides external reference markings and angular measurements that allow the surgeon to accurately determine anatomical axes without directly visualizing the deep anatomical structures, effectively mediating between limited visibility and precise alignment requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
A method for placing a first guide wire in a patient is disclosed. The method can include locating a model axis in a model and placing a second guide wire at the model axis, the model axis corresponding to an anatomical axis of an anatomical feature. The method can include coupling a guide plate to the second guide wire and the model. The method can include coupling an axis guide to the guide plate. The method can include decoupling the guide plate and the axis guide as an alignment unit from the second guide wire and coupling the guide plate and the axis guide as an alignment unit to the anatomical feature of the patient. The method can include using the alignment unit to place the first guide wire in the anatomical feature of the patient at the anatomical axis of the anatomical feature.