Patient-Specific Orthopedic Guide With Laser Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthopedic implantation techniques lack precise and convenient methods for aligning cutting tools relative to anatomical features during surgery, often resulting in inaccurate bone cuts and increased surgical complexity.

Innovation Solution

A patient-specific guiding system comprising a guide with removably connected portions that conform to anatomical surfaces, equipped with a laser indicator for precise alignment, allowing for accurate positioning and cutting of instruments relative to the patient's anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional alignment methods are used, then surgical procedure is simpler, but alignment precision and cutting accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidalignment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment guide is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) that can be removably connected. Each portion can be independently positioned and secured to different anatomical features, allowing the system to achieve high alignment precision through modular assembly rather than a single complex monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a laser indicator as an intermediary device that projects reference lines to visually indicate the precise alignment position and cutting path. This intermediary visual guidance system enables accurate cutting without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If patient-specific custom guides are manufactured, then alignment precision improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical alignment precisionVSAvoidguide manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patient-specific guide is segmented into multiple portions that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific anatomical region while using standard manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to producing a single custom monolithic guide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide portions are designed with standardized interfaces and connection mechanisms that allow for flexible assembly. By standardizing the parameters of the connection system, the patent enables easy assembly of patient-specific guides using conventional manufacturing techniques, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high precision through custom anatomical conforming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple guide portions are used, then adaptability to different anatomical features improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical feature adaptabilityVSAvoidguide structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system is segmented into multiple portions, each designed to conform to specific anatomical features (e.g., first portion for proximal femur, second portion for distal femur). These portions are connected through standardized interfaces, allowing the system to adapt to different anatomical configurations without requiring a completely different guide design for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized connection mechanism and interface design allow the same guide portions to be used across different anatomical regions and patient cases. This universality enables a single set of guide portions to serve multiple functions and adapt to various surgical scenarios, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables highly accurate and minimally invasive alignment and cutting of anatomical features, reducing surgical complexity and improving the precision of orthopedic procedures by using patient-specific guides and laser alignment for precise cutting tool placement.

Implementation Method 1

The alignment guide may also include a laser indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS11324522B2Patient specific alignment guide with cutting surface and laser indicator

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.