Adjustable Osteotomy Wedge for Mid-Foot Joint Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for flatfoot reconstruction often neglect or find it difficult to correct the medial column of the foot, leading to a lack of reliable and effective methods for mid-foot disorders such as osteoarthritis and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of instrumentation and methods for mid-foot joint fusion, arthrodesis, and arthroplasty, including adjustable osteotomy wedge systems, arcuate distractors, and non-circular dowel implants, to facilitate correction and realignment of the medial column and other foot joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current surgical procedures for flatfoot reconstruction are used, then hindfoot correction is achieved, but medial column and mid-foot correction is neglected or too difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into multiple specialized components including midfoot joint finders for joint identification, adjustable osteotomy wedge systems for bone realignment, arcuate distractors for spacing, and various dowel implants for fusion. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of mid-foot correction independently, making the overall procedure more manageable and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary instruments such as midfoot joint finders that act as mediators between the surgeon and the target joint structures. These intermediaries facilitate precise identification and access to mid-foot joints, which are otherwise difficult to locate and correct, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional fusion methods are used, then joint fusion is achieved, but precise realignment and spacing control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The osteotomy wedge system is designed to be adjustable rather than fixed. The wedges can be modified intraoperatively to achieve precise alignment angles, and the arcuate distractor allows dynamic control of spacing during the procedure. This dynamic capability enables precise realignment while providing flexibility to adapt to anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in the osteotomy configuration, including wedge angles, distractor arc radii, and implant dimensions. These parameters can be selected and adjusted based on the specific anatomical requirements of each patient, enabling precise control over realignment and spacing outcomes.
3Strength
If simple dowel implants are used, then fusion is achieved, but rotational control and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dowel implants incorporate asymmetric features including non-circular cross-sections (oval, triangular, or irregular shapes) that provide inherent rotational stability. The asymmetric geometry prevents rotation of the dowel within the fused joint, enhancing fusion stability without requiring additional complex fixation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Some dowel designs incorporate curved or conical geometries that facilitate insertion while providing stability. The curved surfaces and tapered shapes allow for controlled insertion into the prepared bone channels while maintaining positional stability once in place, improving fusion strength without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for surgical treatment of mid-foot disorders such as osteoarthritis, spacing disorders, or alignment disorders, including mid-foot arthroplasty devices and systems for the 2nd and 3rd tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint, implants for post-osteotomy spacing and realignment, arthroplasty articular implants, dowel grafts for TMT arthrodesis or fusion, dowel grafts for navicular cuneiform (NC) arthrodesis, dowel grafts for intercuneiform arthrodesis, and/or locking dowels for joint fusion.