Orthopedic Drill Guide System with Conical Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill guide systems for orthopedic surgical procedures can only accommodate either variable angle or fixed angle bone screw placements, lacking the flexibility to handle both methods efficiently and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drill guide system comprising a bone plate, a guide block, a fixed angle drill guide, and a variable angle drill guide, where the guide block has conically-shaped inner surfaces aligning with corresponding drill guide passages, allowing the fixed angle drill guide to maintain a predetermined orientation and the variable angle drill guide to adjust to various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a drill guide system is designed for fixed angle bone screw placement, then the angular orientation is predetermined and accurate, but the system lacks flexibility for variable angle placements
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide system is designed to perform multiple functions by integrating both fixed angle drill guides and variable angle drill guides into a single system. The guide block can selectively receive different drill guide attachments, allowing it to accommodate both fixed angle and variable angle bone screw placement methods, thereby providing universality and multi-functionality to resolve the contradiction between precision and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates both static (fixed angle) and dynamic (variable angle) drill guide capabilities. The variable angle drill guide allows dynamic adjustment of angular orientation during surgery, while the fixed angle drill guide provides stable predetermined angles. This combination of static and dynamic elements enables the system to adapt to different surgical requirements while maintaining accuracy
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for fixed angle and variable angle drill guide functions, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and device interchange is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate fixed angle and variable angle drill guide devices into a single integrated system. The guide block serves as a common base that can selectively receive different drill guide attachments, combining multiple functions into one system. This reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining the reliability and functional optimization of both fixed and variable angle placement methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If a comprehensive drill guide system accommodates both fixed and variable angle methods, then procedural flexibility is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide system is segmented into modular components: a guide block and interchangeable drill guide attachments. The guide block contains multiple drill guide passages for different bone screw openings, while separate drill guide attachments provide fixed angle or variable angle functionality. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate both fixed and variable angle methods without requiring a completely complex integrated structure, as components can be selectively assembled based on surgical needs
Data Source
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AI summary
A drill guide system and method including a bone plate and a guide block removably engaged with the bone plate, and with drill guide passages in the guide block substantially aligned with bone screw openings in the bone plate and each having a conically-shaped inner guide surface. A fixed angle drill guide includes a distal portion selectively positioned within a selected one of the drill guide passages and has a conically-shaped outer guide surface matingly engaged with the conically-shaped inner guide surface of a selected drill guide passage to maintain orientation of the fixed angle drill guide at a predetermined fixed angular orientation. A variable angle drill guide includes a distal portion selectively positioned within a selected one of the drill guide passages and has an outer guide surface sized smaller than the conically-shaped inner guide surface of a selected drill guide passage to permit orientation of the variable angle drill guide at a variable angular orientation. The drill guide system and method may further include a depth gauge and/or an orthopedic driver instrument.