Lapidus Fusion Guide System for Bone Deformity Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for repairing bone deformities, such as the Lapidus procedure for bunions, lack precise instrumentation for accurately positioning cutting instruments and fixation elements, which can lead to suboptimal fusion and healing of joint surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of a guide assembly for orthopaedic procedures that includes a cutting guide and a trajectory guide. The cutting guide features a moveable guide sleeve and block to restrict the movement of cutting instruments and sweep them along predetermined planes for precise tissue removal. The trajectory guide is used to accurately place fixation elements across joints, ensuring proper alignment and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical methods are used for bone deformity repair, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but precise positioning of cutting instruments and fixation elements cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is positioned and secured to the patient's anatomy before the surgical procedure begins. The guide sleeve and trajectory guide are pre-configured to establish accurate cutting planes and fixation element pathways, eliminating the need for intraoperative positioning adjustments and ensuring precise instrument placement throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the patient's anatomy. It provides a mechanical interface that translates anatomical landmarks into precise cutting planes and fixation trajectories, mediating the interaction between surgical intent and physical execution to achieve accurate positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide assembly with moveable guide sleeve is used, then precise tissue removal can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve is designed to be moveable along the drive shaft, allowing dynamic adjustment of the cutting instrument's position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to adapt the cutting plane to specific anatomical variations while maintaining precise control, with the guide assembly transitioning from a static to a dynamic positioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a drive shaft for rotational actuation, a moveable guide sleeve for positioning control, and a cutting instrument interface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall precision of tissue removal.
3Measurement precision
If trajectory guide is used for fixation element placement, then alignment accuracy improves, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory guide is pre-configured on the guide assembly to define the optimal pathway for fixation element placement. By establishing this trajectory beforehand during guide assembly positioning, the surgeon eliminates the need for intraoperative trial-and-error positioning of fixation elements, reducing procedure time while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for repairing bone deformities. The systems may include one or more guides for positioning instruments relative to bones and/or joints.