Integrated Chamfer Guidance Tools for Faster Talus Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing total ankle arthroplasty procedures require numerous surgical tools and steps, leading to prolonged surgeries and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Development of multi-purpose surgical tools and guides that integrate trial sections, base components, arm components, and cutting tools to streamline talus preparation, allowing for fewer components and faster procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multiple separate surgical tools are used for talus preparation, then each tool can perform its specific function, but the number of components increases and surgery time prolongs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate surgical tools into a single integrated guide assembly that includes a base component with multiple slots for different cutting tools, an arm component with additional slots, and a trial section. This merging allows all necessary cutting operations to be performed with one consolidated tool rather than multiple separate tools, directly reducing component count while maintaining full functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated guide assembly is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple cutting operations through its various slots and attachments. The base component provides slots for different cutting tools, the arm component adds more slot options, and the trial section can also serve as a cutting guide. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools while preserving all required surgical functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If numerous surgical tools and steps are used for talus preparation, then comprehensive bone preparation can be achieved, but surgery duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated guide assembly is pre-configured with multiple slots and attachment points for different cutting tools before the surgical procedure begins. The base component, arm component, and trial section are assembled in advance with all necessary guidance pathways established. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to perform multiple cutting operations sequentially without needing to reposition or reconfigure tools during surgery, thereby maintaining high bone preparation quality while reducing overall surgery time.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for ankle arthroplasty, then each component can be optimized for its function, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple separate surgical tools into a single integrated guide assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and sterilized. Although the integrated assembly is complex, consolidating functions into one tool reduces overall manufacturing costs compared to producing multiple separate specialized tools, while maintaining all required functional performances through its multi-slot design and various attachment capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool includes a handle and a trial section coupled to the handle by an engagement section. The trial section includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a shape that corresponds to an upper surface of an implant. The trial section defines a first slot extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and inwardly from a first side. A second slot extends from the upper surface to the lower surface and inwardly from a second side.