Humeral Surgical Guide for Tissue-Sparing Shoulder Arthroplasty

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoulder arthroplasty tools are not suitable for tissue sparing procedures as they require detachment of the subscapularis tendon for full access, limiting the ability to apply consistent downward force and maintain tissue integrity.

Innovation Solution

The development of humeral surgical guides and handle assemblies that allow for precise placement and orientation of instruments within the limited joint space of the shoulder, enabling reaming and broaching while keeping the subscapularis tendon intact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the subscapularis tendon is detached to provide full access to the surgical site, then access and visibility are improved, but tissue integrity and surrounding tissue damage worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to surgical siteVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specialized surgical guides and instruments as intermediary tools that enable bone preparation through the intact subscapularis tendon. The guide frame and reaming instruments act as mediators to transmit force and precision tools through the limited space created by the intact tendon, eliminating the need for tendon detachment while maintaining surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional approach to bone preparation by transitioning from direct anterior access (requiring tendon detachment) to a transhumeral approach through the rotator interval. This dimensional shift allows instruments to reach the humeral head from a different spatial path, enabling bone preparation without compromising the subscapularis tendon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional arthroplasty tools are used with intact subscapularis tendon, then tissue sparing is achieved, but consistent downward force application and surgical precision worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidbone preparation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide frame serves as a precision intermediary that transmits and amplifies downward force from the surgeon's hand to the bone preparation instruments. The guide frame's rigid structure ensures consistent force application and maintains alignment, enabling precise bone preparation while the subscapularis tendon remains intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical system is segmented into modular components including the guide frame, bone preparation instruments, and reaming tools. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve precise bone preparation through the limited space defined by the intact tendon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If the humeral head is externally rotated to expose the joint space, then visibility is improved, but the subscapularis tendon must be detached and reattached, worsening tissue integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of joint spaceVSAvoidtendon integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide frame acts as an intermediary that provides a stable reference structure for instrument placement and bone preparation. This intermediary tool enables the surgeon to work with the humeral head in its anatomical position without requiring external rotation, thereby maintaining tendon integrity while achieving sufficient visibility and access through the rotator interval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating the humeral head externally to access the joint space, the patent inverts the approach by using the intact subscapularis tendon and rotator interval as the access pathway. This inverted approach allows bone preparation to be performed from the anterior aspect through the rotator interval, eliminating the need for tendon detachment and external rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20250072910A1Humeral surgical guides, instruments, and techniques for use in tissue sparing shoulder arthroplasties

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

Surgical systems and instruments for performing shoulder repair procedures using a transhumeral approach are disclosed. The systems include a humeral guide configured to set a path of travel for a guide pin that operates bone preparation instruments with a transhumeral approach. The guide pin can selectively engage one or more bone preparation instruments disposed at a humeral resection surface and operate the tool(s) by powering the guide pin from below the humeral resection surface. A handle assembly can be used to position bone preparation instruments at the surgical site, with the handle assembly being selectively mountable to the humeral guide. The humeral guide can also have a sizer attachment coupled to it to assist in measuring and sizing locations for an implant to be placed on the humeral resection surface. Measuring, reaming, broaching, and implanting actions can all be performed with assistance from the humeral guide.