Patella Drill Guide with Spikes for Anchor Hole Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopaedic surgical instruments lack an efficient method for accurately preparing and aligning the patella for prosthetic implantation, particularly in securing the prosthetic patella component to the patient's natural patella, which can lead to suboptimal fit and stability of the prosthetic joint.
Innovation Solution
A patella drill guide and trial instrument with a posterior trial bearing surface, anterior spikes, drill guide holes, and an alignment bore is used to securely position and align the drill guide on the resected patellar surface, allowing for precise drilling of anchor holes and ensuring proper fit of the prosthetic patella component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical instruments are used for patella preparation, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but accurate alignment and secure fixation of the prosthetic patella component cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the patella bone, providing a stable platform that mediates the alignment and drilling processes. The guide's bearing surface articulates with the femoral component while spikes secure it to the patella, enabling precise anchor hole placement for reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill guide combines multiple functions in a single device: it provides alignment reference, secures to the patella via spikes, guides drill bit placement, and articulates with the femoral component. This multi-functionality ensures both accurate alignment and secure fixation simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If the patella is resected to receive the prosthetic component, then the prosthetic can be implanted, but accurate positioning and alignment become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide is designed to be applied to the resected patella surface before final implantation. The bearing surface is pre-configured to articulate with the femoral component's trochlear groove, establishing correct positioning and alignment prior to drilling anchor holes and implanting the prosthetic patella.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual positioning methods with a mechanical guide system that uses the geometry of the femoral component's trochlear groove to automatically establish correct alignment. The bearing surface geometry substitutes for surgeon judgment and manual alignment techniques.
3Reliability
If multiple drill holes are made in the patella, then secure fixation of the prosthetic component is achieved, but the alignment and drilling process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drill guide features multiple pre-formed drill hole openings positioned at precise locations for optimal anchor placement. Each opening is segmented and prepared in advance, allowing simultaneous or sequential drilling of multiple anchor holes without requiring complex repositioning or realignment during the surgical procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella trial and drill guide that may be used to both perform a surgical trial of the patellofemoral joint and guide the surgeon in drilling a number of anchor holes in the patella of the patient.