Condylar Knee Implant Introducer With Rotating Attachment Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments for knee arthroplasty face challenges in providing stable and efficient attachment and detachment of trial and actual implants across a wide range of sizes and geometries, particularly at the extremes, affecting workflow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The instrument features a casing with slots for attachment elements that allow rotation and a lever-operated drive element with a biasing unit, enabling quick and stable connection and disconnection of implants through distinct transition phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional femoral introducer is used to attach and detach trial and actual implants, then the implant can be positioned and impacted, but the attachment stability is insufficient particularly at extreme sizes and geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidrange of implant sizes and geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements are designed to be movable between a first state position (disengaged from implant) and a second state position (engaged with implant). This dynamic configuration allows the attachment elements to adapt to different implant sizes and geometries while maintaining stable engagement through the driven movement mechanism that ensures proper positioning and retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the attachment elements are designed to accommodate a wide range of implant sizes and geometries, then versatility is improved, but the attachment stability at extreme sizes and geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of implant sizes and geometriesVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements can move between different state positions to adapt to various implant geometries while maintaining stable engagement. The driven movement mechanism ensures that regardless of the implant size or geometry, the attachment elements are properly positioned and secured in the engaged state, providing consistent attachment stability across the full range of accommodated implants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the surgical instrument is designed for quick attachment and detachment of implants, then surgical workflow efficiency is improved, but the attachment stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical workflow efficiencyVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements are designed to quickly transition between disengaged and engaged state positions through driven movement, enabling rapid attachment and detachment of implants to improve surgical workflow efficiency. The driven movement mechanism ensures that despite the speed of engagement, the attachment elements achieve proper positioning and stable engagement with the implant, maintaining attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a simple attachment mechanism is used for quick detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but the attachment stability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick attachment and detachmentVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements are designed to move between state positions in response to user input, providing intuitive and easy operation for attachment and detachment. The driven movement mechanism ensures that this simple user interaction results in reliable and stable engagement by properly positioning and securing the attachment elements to the implant, thus maintaining attachment stability despite the simplicity of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a robust and efficient connection mechanism that stabilizes the attachment of implants and trials, enhancing surgical workflow by allowing rapid attachment and detachment across various sizes and geometries, improving surgical efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the drive element may provide a mount for a biasing unit, such as a spring, particularly a compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The lever may be pivotally mounted relative to the casing. The lever may be connected to a shaft[s] that is pivotally mounted on the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

The casing proximal end may include or be a planar surface. The casing proximal end may provide an impact surface... convey impact forces to the implant to assist in its positioning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4052684B1Instrument and system for condylar knee replacement procedures
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 DEPUY (IRELAND) LTD
  • EP4052684B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4052684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4052684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surgical instrument, system and methods of use are provided, particularly for use in condylar knee replacement procedures, where the instrument comprises: a casing (42), the casing having a casing proximal end and a casing distal end; a drive element (66), the drive element being slidably mounted within the casing, the drive element having a drive element distal end (100); an attachment unit connected to the drive element distal end, the attachment unit including two or more attachment elements (30, 32), the attachment elements having a first state position and a second state position; wherein one or more of the attachment elements are rotatably mounted.