Modular TPLO Implant and Drilling Guide for Stable Tibial Reattachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TPLO implants for stabilizing the tibial plateau in dogs and cats are inadequate in providing effective reattachment and stabilization of the cut segment, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased invasiveness.
Innovation Solution
A modular implant system with U- or V-shaped extensions and screw holes designed for optimal fit and compression, featuring screw holes with thread and ramp structures for secure attachment, and a drilling guide for precise hole placement, allowing for shorter incisions and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional TPLO implants are used to stabilize the tibial plateau, then the implant can be attached to the bone, but the stability and reattachment of the cut segment is insufficient leading to prolonged recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple functional segments: a head portion for attaching to the cut caudal fragment, a cranial extension for attaching to the cranial tibial head fragment or cranial surface of tibia, and a caudal extension for attaching to the caudal surface of tibia. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific stabilization function optimally, improving overall reliability of the osteotomy site stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant extends in multiple spatial dimensions with the cranial extension projecting in the cranial direction and the caudal extension projecting in the caudal direction from the head portion. This multi-dimensional configuration provides stabilization along multiple axes, enhancing the mechanical stability of the reattached cut segment and reducing recovery time.
2Ease of operation
If existing TPLO implants are used, then the procedure can be performed, but larger incisions are required making the surgery more invasive to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The implant's segmented design with distinct head, cranial extension, and caudal extension portions allows for minimally invasive insertion through separate small incisions. Each segment can be introduced through its own access point, avoiding the need for a single large incision and reducing tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-dimensional configuration of the implant with extensions in different directions (cranial and caudal) enables access to multiple attachment sites through small separate incisions rather than requiring one large incision. This spatial arrangement minimizes the surgical footprint and reduces invasiveness to surrounding soft tissues.
3Device complexity
If traditional TPLO implants are used, then the basic stabilization function is achieved, but the overall length of implant required is longer increasing surgical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes three-dimensional spatial configuration with cranial and caudal extensions projecting in opposite directions from the head portion. This allows the implant to achieve the necessary span and stabilization function with a more compact overall design compared to linear configurations, reducing the implant's footprint while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the implant into functional segments (head portion and two extensions) that can be positioned independently at different anatomical locations, the overall implant length is optimized to match the specific anatomical requirements without excessive length, simplifying the surgical procedure.
4Reliability
If standard screw attachment methods are used, then screws can be inserted, but the risk of screw pullout is increased reducing fixation reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The screw holes in the implant are equipped with thread structures that change the mechanical parameters of the screw-implant interface. The threads increase the friction and mechanical interlocking between the screw and implant, preventing screw pullout and enhancing fixation reliability at the osteotomy site.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of the implant material with threaded screw holes creates a composite fixation system where the threads act as mechanical interlocking elements. This composite structure of smooth implant surface with threaded attachment points significantly increases the holding power and prevents screw pullout under load.
Data Source
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AI summary
Implant for use in Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Surgery (TPLO), in particular for a dog or a cat, wherein the Implant (10) is attachable to the tibial corpus, in particular to a medial surface (58) of the tibia (20), and the tibial head (44) after circular-segment like cutting and rotating a caudal fragment (46) by screws (62a, 62b) through screw holes (64a, 64b) that extend along a screw hole axis (a, a1, a2, a3) from a medial surface (12) to a lateral surface (14), comprising a proximal head portion (24),a cranial extension (28) and a caudal extension (26).