Orthopedic Fixation Guide With Alignment Index for Bone Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic surgeries, particularly those involving Lisfranc injuries and Lapidus bunionectomies, face challenges in achieving accurate alignment and fixation of displaced bones, complicating recovery and healing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a body featuring pin holes, bone fastener holes, and an alignment index for precise positioning, allowing for minimally invasive surgical procedures and ensuring proper alignment and fixation of bones using markers or robotic navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If open reduction and internal fixation is performed to treat Lisfranc injuries, then proper anatomical reduction can be achieved, but the surgical complexity and difficulty increase due to the intricacies of the bony architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the correct anatomical alignment through its alignment index and guide structures before the actual fixation occurs. The alignment index provides pre-defined reference markers that guide the surgeon in achieving proper bone positioning prior to screw insertion, thereby simplifying the complex anatomical reduction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment index serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the complex bony architecture. It provides visual reference markers and guide structures that mediate the alignment process, making the intricate anatomical relationships more manageable and easier to visualize during surgery.
2Reliability
If traditional surgical methods are used for bone fixation, then adequate fixation can be achieved, but recovery time is extended due to larger incisions and more invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the surgical procedure into distinct functional components: the alignment index for positioning, the guide structures for screw placement, and the fixation elements. This segmentation allows for a more controlled, minimally invasive approach where each component performs a specific function, reducing overall surgical trauma and facilitating faster recovery while maintaining fixation reliability.
3Measurement precision
If precise alignment markers and guide structures are added to the device, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The alignment index, guide structures, and fixation elements are combined into one device that can be applied directly to the bone. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate instruments and procedures, thereby improving alignment accuracy without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for use in orthopedic procedures involving the alignment and fixation of bone. The device includes a body having a bone facing surface, an opposing surface, a lateral surface being disposed between the bone facing surface and the opposing surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the bone facing surface and the opposing surface. The body defines a pin hole extending through the body from the bone facing surface to the opposing surface, a bone fastener hole extending through the body from the bone facing surface to the opposing surface, a tool hole extending at least partially through the body and an alignment index for positioning the body relative to bone.