Navigation Array Fixation Device for Knee Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing optical navigation arrays to bones during robotic-assisted surgery, such as in Total Knee Arthroplasty, face challenges including the need for rigid connection, minimal tissue and bone damage, and reduced risk of nerve/vascular damage, while also being minimally invasive and easily placeable without navigation, which are not adequately met by existing cortical pin techniques.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device comprising a trocar, a cortical pin, and a dowel that prevents rotation within the bone, along with a navigation array that can be removably attached, allowing for precise alignment and registration in robotic-assisted surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cortical pins are used to secure navigation arrays to bones, then rigid connection is achieved, but the risk of infection and bone damage increases due to multiple incisions and pin placement
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into separate functional components: a trocar for minimally invasive insertion, a cortical pin for bone anchoring, and a dowel for securing the navigation array. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while minimizing overall trauma to the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The trocar serves as an intermediary tool that enables the cortical pin to be inserted through a single incision rather than requiring direct exposure of the bone. This mediator reduces the number of incisions needed and consequently lowers infection risk while maintaining the rigid connection requirement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple cortical pins are implanted to ensure rigid connection, then stability is improved, but the risk of nerve/vascular damage and bone breaking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the trocar provides minimally invasive access, the cortical pin creates the bone anchor, and the dowel secures the navigation array. This multi-functional design achieves rigid connection with fewer bone penetrations, reducing the cumulative risk of nerve/vascular damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cortical pins are placed using traditional methods, then rigid connection is achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and requires significant surgeon experience
Solution Approach 1:
The trocar is inserted and positioned beforehand to create a pre-defined pathway for the cortical pin. This preliminary action establishes the correct orientation and depth, simplifying the subsequent pin insertion and reducing the reliance on surgeon experience for achieving proper placement geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for resecting a knee joint using a navigated pin guide driver system. The navigated pin guide driver system communicates with a navigation system to aid a user in placing cut block pins into the knee joint. The navigated pin guide driver system may include a handle, a reference element that electronically communicates with the navigation system, one or more pin guide tubes that may correspond to one or more cut blocks, and a distal tip that is configured to attach to the bone.