Patient-Specific Orthopedic Surgical Guide for Fluoroscopy-Free Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for total joint replacement, such as ankle surgery, rely heavily on intra-operative fluoroscopy for alignment, which increases procedure length and exposes patients to ionizing radiation, posing health risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The development of custom, patient-specific surgical guides and instruments created using CT or MRI scans, allowing for precise alignment and resection without the need for fluoroscopy, by utilizing conformal bone engaging surfaces and modular components for secure fitting and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intra-operative fluoroscopy is used to check alignment of intramedullary cavities, then alignment accuracy is improved, but surgery time increases and patient exposure to ionizing radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Patient-specific surgical guides are manufactured before surgery based on pre-operative imaging (CT or MRI scans). These guides incorporate alignment features and bone resection surfaces that are customized to the patient's anatomy, allowing precise alignment to be established before the surgical procedure begins, eliminating the need for intra-operative fluoroscopy checks
2Measurement precision
If intra-operative fluoroscopy is used to check alignment of intramedullary cavities, then alignment accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to ionizing radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pre-operative imaging and custom guide manufacturing are performed before surgery, establishing the alignment plan in advance. The patient-specific guides incorporate this pre-planned alignment information physically, allowing the surgeon to achieve accurate alignment without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the radiographic measurement system (fluoroscopy) with a mechanical guidance system (patient-specific surgical guides). The guides use physical geometric constraints and conformal bone engagement to ensure accurate alignment through mechanical means rather than radiographic visualization
3Device complexity
If standard surgical guides are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and patient-specific alignment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guides are customized for each patient's specific anatomy and surgical requirements. Each guide incorporates local geometric features that conform to the patient's unique bone surfaces and alignment needs, ensuring precise fit and orientation specific to that patient's anatomy rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A surgical device includes an elongate body (1002) extending from a proximal end (1006) to a distal end (1004). The distal end of the elongate body defines a notch (1018) sized and configured to receive a reamer (66). A coupling assembly ((1154) is supported by the elongate body and includes a reamer guide body (1054) disposed at the distal end of the elongate body. The reamer guide body configured to move between a first position and a second position in which the reaming guide body extends at least partially across the notch. A locking assembly (1122) is supported by the elongate body and is configured to releasably engage the coupling assembly to maintain the reamer guide body in the second position.