Low-Profile Acetabular Reamer with Relief Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for total hip replacement surgery involve invasive procedures that cause significant blood loss, muscle and tendon damage, and lengthy rehabilitation due to the need for extensive surgical exposure to prepare the hip joint for prosthetic implantation, which can be traumatic and lead to increased recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile orthopedic reaming instrument with a partial sphere distal arcuate region and a central support hub, designed for minimally invasive procedures, allowing for smaller incisions and reduced soft tissue disturbance, while maintaining the strength and accuracy needed for preparing the acetabulum for a prosthetic hip cup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If extensive surgical exposure is used to prepare the hip joint for prosthetic implantation, then the surgeon can adequately prepare the acetabulum and femur, but significant blood loss, muscle and tendon damage, and lengthy rehabilitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into two distinct approaches: a small incision for acetabular preparation using the low-profile reamer, and a separate approach for femoral preparation. This segmentation allows each bone to be prepared through minimally invasive techniques, reducing overall tissue damage while maintaining preparation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer body transitions from a traditional full-hemisphere shape to a low-profile design with relief surfaces that reduce the instrument's cross-sectional dimensions. This dimensional change allows the reamer to access the acetabulum through a smaller incision while maintaining the spherical cutting action needed for accurate acetabular preparation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a low-profile reamer design is used to reduce incision size, then soft tissue disturbance is minimized, but the reamer may lack the strength and rigidity needed for effective reaming
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer incorporates localized reinforcement features including a thickened wall structure at the distal end and a centrally located support hub that extends along a portion of the reamer body. These local quality enhancements provide the necessary strength and rigidity for effective reaming while maintaining an overall low-profile design that minimizes soft tissue disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer combines materials with different properties to achieve both low profile and high strength: a thin-walled arcuate body for minimal tissue disruption, reinforced with a dense support hub structure for mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the instrument to function effectively despite the reduced overall dimensions.
3Strength
If traditional hemispherical reamers are used, then adequate reaming strength is provided, but the incision size must be large and soft tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer eliminates the proximal hemispherical portion that traditionally increased the instrument's overall size, creating a low-profile design with relief surfaces that reduce the cross-sectional dimensions. This dimensional change allows the reamer to be inserted through a smaller incision while the distal spherical cutting surface maintains adequate reaming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaming function is concentrated at the distal end where a spherical cutting surface with cutting teeth provides adequate reaming strength and capability. This localized functional design allows the majority of the reamer body to be minimized in size, reducing the incision requirement while maintaining effective reaming at the critical distal interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An acetabular reamer is provided. The acetabular reamer includes a body having a peripheral surface. The peripheral surface is defined by a radius extending from an origin. The body defines an axis of rotation of the body. The body defines an end surface operably connected to peripheral surface of the body. The body further defines a relief surface spaced from the axis of rotation and operably connected to peripheral surface. The acetabular reamer also includes a cutter operably associated with the body for reaming a portion of the acetabulum and a support structure secured to the relief surface.