Knee Resection Surgical Instrument with Plug-In Tibial Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments for knee joint replacement operations, particularly those aiming for kinematic alignment, are complex, prone to errors, and costly, lacking a simple and effective means to compensate for defects in the tibial plateau during resection cuts.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a main body, movable styluses, and a compensation element that attaches via a plug-in connection, allowing for simple dimensional compensation of tibial plateau defects, reducing the risk of errors and maintaining a cost-effective, easy-to-clean design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustment mechanism with linear guide and ratchet is used to compensate for tibial plateau defects, then dimensional compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases and error-proneness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation system is segmented into separate, interchangeable compensation elements that can be individually selected and attached to styluses. Each compensation element is a discrete component with a specific thickness dimension, allowing the surgeon to choose the appropriate element without complex adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies the overall device while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation elements are designed as simple, interchangeable components that can be easily attached and removed. Rather than using a complex permanent adjustment mechanism, the system employs simple plug-in elements that can be quickly exchanged during the procedure, reducing device complexity and error potential.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stylus positions are made adjustable to compensate for defects, then dimensional compensation is achieved, but the design becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation capability is achieved through separate, standardized compensation elements rather than making the entire stylus assembly adjustable. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of each component and reduces overall device cost while maintaining the ability to compensate for defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation elements are designed with universal plug-in sections that can be attached to different styluses (first and second styluses) interchangeably. This universal design simplifies manufacturing by using standardized components across multiple functions, reducing cost and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a plug-in connection system is used for compensation elements, then ease of cleaning is improved, but assembly precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in connection system is designed with self-aligning features where the complementary plug-in sections guide the compensation element into proper alignment during attachment. The geometry of the plug-in and complementary plug-in sections ensures correct positioning without requiring additional alignment procedures, maintaining precision while enabling easy removal for cleaning.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument and system for use in a knee joint replacement operation. The instrument has a main body fastenable to a tibial cutting block. A first stylus and second stylus are each mounted on and movable relative to the main body, and are elongate between a first end and a second end. The first ends each have a reference surface for contacting a tibial plateau of the tibia. A compensation element is attachable to one of the styluses and has a plug-in section and a contact surface. The first ends each have a complementary plug-in section configured for releasable connection to the plug-in section. The contact surface is configured—when the compensation element is attached to the respective stylus—for contacting the tibial plateau instead of the respective reference surface and is spaced apart from the respective reference surface by a thickness dimension.