Robotic Knee Bone Resection via Electronic Reference Plane Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing the proximal surface of the tibia and distal end of the femur for prosthetic knee joint components require specific joint liners and complex mechanical arrangements, making the process inconvenient and inefficient for achieving optimal balance and stability throughout the knee's arc of motion.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement featuring a tibia and femoral stability gap preparation plate with user-operable height adjustable extension tabs and an electronic system that communicates measured data to align a cutting implement, allowing for precise replication of reference planes on the bone surfaces, facilitated by a robotic arm for efficient and accurate final bone resections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If specific joint liners and complex mechanical arrangements are used to establish reference planes and guide cutting, then manufacturing precision of bone resections is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of bone resectionVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical cutting guide arrangements with an electronic system that uses measured data to directly control the cutting implement. The electronic system receives input signals, processes measured data to determine reference planes, and controls the cutting implement to replicate these planes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical mounting arrangements and joint liner modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential function of reference plane establishment from the complex mechanical system and implements it through electronic data processing. By separating the measurement function from the cutting guidance function, the system eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex mechanical mounting arrangements are used to replicate reference planes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of reference plane replicationVSAvoidconvenience of cutting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic system replaces manual mechanical mounting and alignment operations with automated electronic control. The system receives measured data, processes it to determine reference planes, and automatically controls the cutting implement, eliminating the need for surgeons to manually assemble and align complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement and self-guidance functions through the electronic control architecture. The electronic system automatically processes measured data and generates cutting guidance without requiring external mechanical reference structures, making the operation more convenient while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical cutting guides with slots and indicators are used, then manufacturing precision of bone resection is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of final bone resectionVSAvoidtime for cutting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic system eliminates the time-consuming process of mechanically mounting cutting guides, aligning slots with reference planes, and manually positioning indicators. The electronic system rapidly processes measured data and directly controls the cutting implement, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining or improving resection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic system performs preliminary data processing and reference plane determination before cutting begins. By pre-calculating cutting parameters from measured data, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming mechanical adjustments during the actual cutting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250099115A1Arrangements and methods in the preparation of the proximal surface of the tibia and/or femur and posterior femoral condyle proximal surfaces for the components of a prosthetic knee joint

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 CABOT JONATHAN PETER

AI summary

An arrangement for the preparation of the proximal surface of the tibia and/or the proximal surface of the distal end of the femur and the posterior femoral condyle for a tibia component and/or a femoral component of a prosthetic knee joint. The arrangement includes an electronic system arrangement that receives or measures data information to which the electronic system can utilise this information to communicate control of a blade and/or cutting implement to resect the proximal surface of the tibia and/or distal end of the femur and/or the posterior femoral condyle to required reference plane cuts that provide for balanced angular movement between the femoral component and the tibia component of the prosthetic knee joint throughout an arc of motion from extension, mid-flexion and flexion.