Modular Femoral Sizer With Reversible Guide for Knee Arthroplasty
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing femoral sizers for knee arthroplasty are complex, difficult to sterilize, time-consuming, and obstruct the surgeon's view, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in alignment with anatomical landmarks.
Innovation Solution
A modular femoral sizer system with a main block, anterior stylus, and reversible orientation guide that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, reduced complexity, and improved visualization, using a single orientation guide for both left and right knees by reversing its attachment direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple rotational orientation guides with different angles are used for left and right knees, then external rotation alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single rotational orientation guide that can be used for both left and right knees through reversal. The guide is configured with reference lines and drilling holes that can be oriented in different directions, allowing one guide to perform the function of multiple guides by simply flipping it over for different sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by enabling the rotational orientation guide to be reversed for use on opposite sides. The guide can be flipped over to present different reference line orientations and drilling hole configurations, allowing the same physical object to serve opposite functions for left and right knees without requiring separate dedicated guides for each side.
2Measurement precision
If a traditional femoral sizer system is used, then sizing measurement is achieved, but the surgeon's view of anatomical landmarks is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sizer system into separate modular components: a main block for posterior referencing, a separate rotational orientation guide, and an anterior stylus. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently, reducing visual obstruction and enabling the surgeon to see anatomical landmarks while performing measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference lines and indicator features as intermediary visual aids that help the surgeon align the sizer components with anatomical landmarks. These intermediaries provide visual guidance without requiring the surgeon to directly view the landmarks through the sizer itself, thus maintaining visibility while enabling precise alignment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple orientation guides for different angles are used, then alignment accuracy is improved, but sterilization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single reversible orientation guide that can be used for both left and right knees, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be sterilized. Instead of requiring separate sterile guides for each side and angle, one universal guide suffices, simplifying the sterilization process while maintaining alignment accuracy through proper orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple orientation guides into a single reversible component. By combining left and right knee guidance capabilities into one guide that can be flipped, the system reduces the number of separate sterilizable items while preserving all necessary alignment functions.
4Measurement precision
If traditional femoral sizer systems are used, then sizing is achieved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design allows surgeons to quickly assemble and configure the sizer system by attaching only the necessary components (main block, single reversible orientation guide, anterior stylus) rather than selecting from multiple specialized guides. This reduces setup time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible orientation guide eliminates the need to switch between different guides for left and right knees. By simply flipping the same guide, surgeons can rapidly adapt to different sides without time-consuming guide changes, thereby increasing operational efficiency while preserving alignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A femoral sizer system for knee arthroplasty includes a main block having a back surface that contacts a processed distal face of a femur. A fixed foot extends away from the back surface for posterior referencing. A docking unit docks with a connecting unit. An anterior stylus has a stylus tip for contact with an anterior face of the femur. The stylus is attachable to the main block and can adjust a position of the stylus tip. An orientation guide has referencing orientation points for implementing referencing pins in the femur. The orientation guide can be coupled to and uncoupled from the docking unit via its connecting unit with different sides of the orientation guide resulting in different positions of the orientation points relative to the main block, so that the femoral sizer system can be used for the right knee joint or the left knee joint.