Patient-Specific Orthopedic Alignment Guide Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current joint arthroplasty techniques lack precise alignment and anchoring methods, leading to potential instability and complications during surgery, particularly due to variations in patient anatomy.

Innovation Solution

The development of patient-specific alignment guides with anchoring elements that are designed based on individual patient anatomy, featuring cartilage-engaging and bone-engaging portions to securely anchor the guide on the bone surface, ensuring precise alignment and stability during joint arthroplasty procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If patient-specific alignment guides with anchoring elements are used, then alignment precision and stability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment guide is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion for positioning, multiple anchoring elements (at least three) distributed across the surface, and cartilage-engaging portions. Each anchoring element is a separate component that can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the complex function of precise alignment to be achieved through modular segments rather than a monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment guide is designed and manufactured in advance with pre-positioned anchoring elements and cartilage-engaging portions that are optimized for specific patient anatomies. The guide is prepared before surgery with all alignment features and anchoring structures already in place, eliminating the need for intraoperative construction or adjustment, thus achieving high precision without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If patient-specific anchoring elements with variable lengths are used, then anchoring stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each anchoring element is designed with locally optimized characteristics matched to the specific patient anatomy at its location. The length, diameter, and engagement depth of each anchoring element are customized according to the local cartilage thickness and bone structure requirements, allowing maximum stability at each specific location rather than using uniform standardized elements throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring elements feature variable parameters including different lengths, diameters, and engagement depths tailored to local anatomical requirements. These parameter variations are achieved through computer-guided manufacturing processes that can precisely control dimensions, allowing the manufacture of customized elements without requiring complex manual fabrication procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If cartilage-engaging portions of anchoring elements are used, then alignment accuracy is improved, but risk of cartilage damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidcartilage damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cartilage-engaging portions of the anchoring elements serve as intermediary structures that bridge the alignment guide body and the cartilage surface. These portions are designed to engage the cartilage in a controlled manner, providing the necessary anchoring force while distributing stresses to minimize localized damage. The intermediary design allows the rigid alignment guide to be securely attached without directly transmitting excessive forces to the cartilage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring elements are designed with pre-calculated engagement characteristics that account for cartilage protection. The cartilage-engaging portions are shaped and sized to insert into and engage the cartilage surface in a controlled manner, with sufficient length to provide anchoring while remaining short enough to avoid penetrating deep into the cartilage or underlying bone. This beforehand design ensures that the cartilage is engaged sufficiently for alignment accuracy while protecting against excessive damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8864769B2Alignment guides with patient-specific anchoring elements

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

An orthopedic device for joint arthroplasty includes an alignment guide and a number of patient-specific anchoring elements. The alignment guide can be mounted on a bone of a patient during joint arthroplasty. The patient-specific anchoring elements extend from an inner surface of the alignment guide and have a patient-specific length relative to an outer bone surface of the bone of the patient.