Patient-Specific Osteochondral Guide Tools for Joint Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteochondral transplantation methods lack precision in positioning and sizing of cartilage and bone plugs, leading to potential misplacement and increased wear on joints, which can result in pain, longer convalescence, and reduced effectiveness of the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising harvesting and transfer guide tools that are individually designed based on patient-specific data, featuring adjustable guide channels and pin-holes for secure attachment to the joint surfaces, allowing for precise sizing and placement of osteochondral plugs in a predetermined pattern to match the damaged area's curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional osteochondral transplantation methods are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the precision and accuracy of plug placement is poor leading to misplacement and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
Patient-specific guide tools are designed and manufactured before surgery based on pre-operative imaging data (CT or MRI). The guide tools incorporate predetermined plug placement patterns that are calculated in advance to optimize cartilage repair, eliminating the need for intraoperative decision-making and ensuring precise placement from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tools are created as precise digital and physical copies of the patient's specific joint anatomy. The cartilage contact surfaces are molded to exactly match the patient's articular surface geometry, and the guide channels are positioned according to pre-calculated optimal locations, ensuring that the physical guide tool perfectly replicates the virtual surgical plan.
2Manufacturing precision
If individually designed guide tools are used, then the precision of osteochondral plug placement is enhanced, but the complexity of the surgical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tool system is divided into distinct functional modules: a base component that interfaces with the articular surface, guide channel components that define plug trajectories, and attachment mechanisms. This modular design allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision, and facilitates easier manufacturing and sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tools are designed with adjustable parameters including plug diameter, depth, and spacing that can be customized based on the specific patient's anatomy and defect characteristics. The system allows modification of these parameters within predetermined ranges while maintaining the overall precision framework, reducing complexity by providing standardized adjustment options rather than完全 custom design.
3Measurement precision
If patient-specific data is used for designing guide tools, then the accuracy of matching the damaged area's curvature is improved, but the time and resources required for customization increase
Solution Approach 1:
All measurements, anatomical mapping, and surgical planning are completed using pre-operative imaging data (CT or MRI scans) before the patient arrives for surgery. The guide tools are manufactured in advance based on these measurements, so that when the patient enters the operating room, the custom-fitted guide tools are already ready, eliminating any customization time during the surgical procedure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes standardized manufacturing processes and material selections that can be applied across different patient cases. By establishing standard protocols for imaging acquisition, digital modeling, and tool fabrication, the complexity and time required for customization are reduced while maintaining patient-specific accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for performing osteochondral transplantation surgery in a joint is provided. The system comprises a harvesting guide tool (100) for harvesting one or more osteochondral plugs, a transfer guide tool (200) for insertion of each osteochondral plug in a damage site (51) on an articular surface of the joint, for example a knee joint (50). A cartilage contact surface (110, 210) of each respective guide tool is adapted to follow the shape of a surface (120, 220) of a cartilage or subchondral bone in a joint. The cartilage contact surface and the surface of the cartilage or subchondral bone conform to each other. Each respective guide tool comprises one or more guide channels (130, 230) adapted to receive a respective surgical tool such that the respective surgical tool slides within the guide channel, and is supported by the guide channel during surgery. The guide channels are configured to harvest and insert a plurality of osteochondral plugs of different sizes. T he interiors of the guide channels (130) of the harvesting guide tool (100) are provided with marking means for marking a rotational position of harvested plugs. The guide channels (230) of the transfer guide tool (200) are adapted to position the osteochondral plugs at a predetermined angle of rotation.