Modular Ankle Distractor Boot for Surgical Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ankle distraction methods in surgical procedures often impair circumferential access to the foot and ankle due to direct restraint, limiting the surgeon's ability to perform procedures effectively.

Innovation Solution

A modular distractor system comprising a support frame attached to an operating table side rail, a manual distractor unit, and a knee support pad with a strap system that applies pressure to the patient's knee, allowing for controlled ankle distraction while maintaining access to the ankle area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct ankle restraint and traction equipment are used, then ankle distraction is achieved, but circumferential access to the foot and ankle is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveankle distractionVSAvoidcircumferential access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a knee as an intermediary structure to apply distraction force indirectly to the ankle. By positioning a support pad under the knee and applying upward force, the ankle is distracted without requiring direct equipment at the ankle site, thus maintaining surgical access while achieving reliable distraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying distraction force directly at the ankle (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by applying force at the knee level. This reverse approach allows the distraction to be transmitted through the leg while keeping the surgical field clear for circumferential access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If simple strap and knee pressure method is used, then complete access to ankle is maintained, but controlled distraction precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ankleVSAvoiddistraction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic support pad positioned under the knee that can be adjusted in position and angle. This dynamic positioning allows precise control of the distraction force vector while maintaining complete surgical access, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support pad's position, orientation, and applied force parameters can be adjusted to achieve precise control over ankle distraction. By changing these parameters, the system maintains both complete surgical access and precise distraction control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10357237B2Boot for limb and ankle trauma surgery using modular distractor

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 INNOVATIVE MEDICAL PRODS

AI summary

A boot assembly apparatus, system and method for elevating the patient's limb when using a manual distractor unit is mounted upon a support frame attached to an operating table side rail. A foot strap is attached to the boot assembly apparatus and to the patient's ankle with a patient's knee support pad, extending from the distractor unit, is positioned under the patient's knee to provide traction to the patient's ankle, which is secured to the support frame. The boot assembly apparatus may be formed with a plurality of attachment points for the foot strap so as to provide improved access to the ankle area with advantages of allowing additional types of procedures a surgeon could perform on the patient and/or the ability of the surgeon to access the ankle area and lower leg.