Medical Aligning Device for Guide Wire Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for aligning guide wires with bones, particularly in hip resurfacing procedures, face challenges in accurately determining varus/valgus and anteversion angles, especially in minimally invasive surgery, leading to potential femoral neck fractures and component loosening due to inadequate positioning and visibility constraints.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a scissor clamp with a centring mechanism and adjustable alignment means that securely attaches to the femoral neck, allowing independent adjustment of varus/valgus angles and anteversion, eliminating the need for lateral pins and providing stability through a self-locking mechanism and retractable spikes, enabling precise guide wire placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide wire is positioned in the exact centre of the femoral neck to avoid notching, then the risk of femoral neck fracture is reduced, but the positioning precision becomes difficult to achieve because the neck cross section is not circular
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment device with a circular reference surface that mediates between the non-circular femoral neck and the guide wire. The device includes a centring mechanism with a circular reference surface that can be positioned against the femoral neck, providing a standardized circular reference for accurate guide wire placement without requiring direct measurement of the non-circular neck geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the positioning problem by changing the reference parameter from the non-circular neck cross-section to a circular reference surface. The alignment device incorporates a circular reference surface with a defined radius, allowing the guide wire position to be determined relative to this circular geometry rather than the irregular neck shape, thereby standardizing the positioning process
2Manufacturing precision
If the surgeon attempts to align the guide wire with correct varus/valgus and version angles using traditional devices, then the implant positioning accuracy may be improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation decreases due to the need for simultaneous angle adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the angle alignment function into separate, independent components. The alignment device includes a support arm that can be independently adjusted to establish the varus/valgus angle, and a separate alignment guide that can be independently adjusted to establish the version angle. This segmentation allows each angle to be set and verified independently rather than requiring simultaneous coordination of multiple parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities with movable support arms and rotatable alignment guides that can be independently positioned and locked. The support arm is movable relative to the base to allow adjustment of the varus/valgus angle, and the alignment guide is rotatable to allow adjustment of the version angle, providing flexibility and ease of operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgery techniques are used to reduce exposure and access, then patient trauma is reduced, but the surgeon's ability to detect and correct positioning errors decreases due to reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators including colored markings and transparent or translucent components that enhance visibility. The alignment device includes colored markings on the support arm and alignment guide to indicate correct positioning, and transparent components allow the surgeon to visualize the alignment geometry through the device itself, compensating for reduced external visibility in minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment device serves as an intermediary that brings the measurement and verification functions directly to the surgical site through the limited incision. The device includes integrated visual indicators and alignment features that are visible through the small incision, allowing the surgeon to detect and correct positioning errors without requiring extensive exposure
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for aligning a guide wire with a bone, comprising: an attachment means (2) reversibly attachable to a bone; an alignment means (31) connected to the attachment means, the alignment means being moveable so as to locate a portion of the bone for insertion of the guide wire. A method for aligning a guide wire with a bone.