Multi-purpose Measurement Tool for Total Knee Arthroplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures face challenges in achieving accurate and repeatable placement of prosthetic components, which affects patient satisfaction and functionality, especially with the increasing variety of patient sizes and anatomical complexities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a multi-purpose measurement tool with a combination of depth and thickness gauges, level indicators, and a drill guide, designed to facilitate precise measurements and alignments during TKA procedures, ensuring accurate positioning of femoral and tibial components relative to natural anatomical axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prosthetic component sizes are introduced to match patient sizes, then adaptability to different patients improves, but measurement and placement precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool is designed as a multi-functional instrument that combines depth gauge, thickness gauge, level indicator, and drill guide features in a single device. This universal tool can accurately measure and align components for various prosthetic sizes, maintaining precision across different patient anatomies without requiring multiple specialized instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a streamlined multi-functional tool that uses optical levels, calibrated scales, and geometric guides to achieve precise measurements. The level indicator and drill guide features provide automated alignment references that reduce manual measurement errors when working with multiple component sizes.
2Reliability
If accurate placement of prosthetic components is achieved, then patient function and satisfaction improve, but surgical complexity and instrument requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement and alignment functions into a single integrated tool. The depth gauge, thickness gauge, level indicator, and drill guide are combined in one device, reducing the number of separate instruments needed and simplifying the surgical workflow while maintaining high placement accuracy through coordinated measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional tool is designed to handle various surgical tasks including measuring anterior-posterior offset, thickness measurements, level alignment, and drill guide positioning. This universal instrument reduces surgical complexity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools while providing comprehensive measurement and alignment capabilities for accurate component placement.
3Reliability
If kinematically aligned TKA is performed to improve patient satisfaction, then functional outcomes improve, but measurement and alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical level indicators and geometric alignment guides to replace complex manual alignment procedures. The level indicator provides precise angular references for achieving kinematic alignment, while the drill guide features automate the positioning of surgical cuts relative to anatomical landmarks, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring alignment parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the complex alignment requirements. The level indicator and drill guide features translate complex kinematic alignment objectives into simple visual and mechanical references, making it easier to achieve and verify accurate alignment without requiring extensive expertise in measurement techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-purpose measurement tool comprises an elongate beam and a slide. The elongate beam extends from a first end to a second end, and comprises a first fixed jaw, a second fixed jaw, and a track. The first fixed jaw extends from the beam at the first end. The second fixed jaw extends from the beam opposite the first jaw and spaced from the first end. The track extends across the elongate beam through the first end. The slide has a first end extending from the track and a second end extending into the track. The slide has a moveable jaw extending from the slide opposite the first fixed jaw. The slide can also have a front face and a back face, each face with readable measurement indicia thereon.