Modular Knee Replacement Instruments for Joint-Gap Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee joint replacement instruments are limited to a single surgical technique, lacking versatility and flexibility in adapting to different surgical approaches.
Innovation Solution
A modular instrument system comprising a tibial component, first and second femoral components, spacer elements, and additional components that can be configured in various ways to accommodate different surgical techniques, allowing for versatile use in measuring and balancing joint gaps during knee joint replacement operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-purpose instrument system is used for one surgical technique, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different surgical techniques deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument system is divided into separate modular components: a base element, spacer elements, and femoral components. Each component can be independently selected and combined based on the specific surgical technique being performed (MRT or gap balancing), allowing the system to adapt to different surgical approaches without requiring a completely different instrument set.
Solution Approach 2:
The base element and spacer elements are designed with universal connecting portions that can interface with different femoral components and surgical instruments. The spacer elements can serve multiple functions: defining joint gaps, supporting trial components, and facilitating measurements. This multi-functionality allows a single modular system to support both MRT and gap balancing techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized instrument systems are provided for different surgical techniques, then the adaptability to specific techniques is improved, but the device complexity and quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate instrument systems for MRT and gap balancing into a single unified modular system. The base element, spacer elements, and femoral components can be combined in different configurations to perform both surgical techniques, reducing the total quantity of components needed while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and multiple functions. The spacer elements can be used in both MRT for defining resection depths and in gap balancing for establishing joint gaps. The femoral components can interface with various surgical instruments, allowing the same component set to serve multiple surgical purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument system uses fixed thickness components, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different patient anatomies and surgical techniques deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness adaptation is achieved through segmentation of the spacer into base elements and additional spacer elements that can be stacked or combined. This allows the total thickness to be precisely adjusted in discrete increments to match different patient anatomies and surgical requirements, while each individual component can be manufactured with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument system transitions from fixed thickness components to a dynamic, adjustable thickness configuration. The spacer elements can be selectively added or removed to change the total thickness, allowing the system to adapt to different patient anatomies and surgical techniques while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized component dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular instrument system for use in a knee joint replacement operation includes a tibial component, a first femoral component, a second femoral component and at least one spacer element. The different components of the modular instrument system are releasably connectable to one another to form different instrument configurations.