Patella Joystick for Controlled Knee Cap Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

During knee arthroscopy, manually tilting and lifting the patella with bare hands is difficult and impractical, making it challenging for surgeons to perform procedures like subchondral drilling or debriding effectively.

Innovation Solution

A patella joystick device with an elongated body, including a shank portion, tapered portion, and screw portion, which is securely attached to the knee cap, allowing for controlled tilting and lifting of the patella, facilitating arthroscopic procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tilting and lifting of the patella with bare hands is used, then the surgeon can perform arthroscopic procedures, but the operation becomes difficult and impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tilting and lifting patellaVSAvoidcomplexity of manual operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patella joystick acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the patella. Instead of directly manipulating the patella with bare hands, the surgeon uses the joystick's handle to apply controlled forces through its specialized geometry (tapered portion and frustum shape) that efficiently tilts and lifts the patella, converting manual hand movements into precise patellar positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a patella joystick device is used for tilting and lifting the patella, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tilting and lifting patellaVSAvoidstructural complexity of joystick

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patella joystick is segmented into distinct functional portions: a shank portion for structural support, a tapered portion for force distribution, a frustum-shaped working end for patellar engagement, and a handle for surgeon control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a complex mechanical system with motors and actuators to achieve patellar tilting and lifting, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple lever-based joystick that relies on the surgeon's manual dexterity. The tapered geometry and frustum shape inherently provide the mechanical advantage needed, eliminating the need for complex actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11744570B2Patella joystick and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 NG

AI summary

The disclosure provides a patella joystick for tilting a knee cap in an operation of knee arthroscopy and a method of using the patella joystick. The patella joystick can include a handle, a shank, a tapered portion, and a screw portion. The tapered portion has a diminishing diameter and provides a structural transition between the shank and the screw portion. The screw portion can include a thread and a screw point. The thread can have a buttress form, and the screw point can have an inverted cone shape with a cone angle of at or about 90°. The method of using the patella joystick can include: drilling a pilot hole into the patella; screwing the patella joystick onto the pilot hole; and holding the patella joystick to tilt and/or lift the knee cap.