Patient-Specific Orthopedic Cut Guides for Accurate Bone Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic surgical procedures face challenges in accurately locating and orienting bone cuts due to variations in patient anatomy, leading to increased surgical time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of patient-specific virtual surgery planning systems and adjustable cut guides that facilitate precise positioning and alignment of resection guides based on individual anatomical measurements, reducing the need for manual adjustments and simplifying the surgical process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional alignment and cut guides are used, then bone resection can be performed, but surgical time and complexity increase due to the need for manual anatomical measurements and adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-customizing the cut guide to match the patient's specific anatomy before surgery. The guide is designed with patient-specific anatomical features (such as curvature matching the femur) and pre-configured alignment references, eliminating the need for intraoperative measurements and adjustments. This pre-planning approach directly reduces surgical time and procedural complexity while maintaining high precision.
2Measurement precision
If traditional cut guides are used, then bone resection can be performed, but positioning accuracy decreases due to variations in patient anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing specific portions of the cut guide to match the patient's unique anatomical characteristics. The guide features patient-specific curvature profiles, customized reference surfaces, and tailored alignment markers that correspond to the individual's bone geometry. This localized customization ensures high positioning accuracy for each patient's specific anatomy rather than using a generic one-size-fits-all approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the cut guide with adjustable and modular components that can adapt to different anatomical configurations. The guide system includes movable elements and interchangeable parts that allow optimization of positioning for various patient anatomies, combining the benefits of customization with operational flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If manual measurements and adjustments are performed, then cut guide positioning can be achieved, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the cut guide to automatically self-align and self-position on the patient's anatomy without requiring manual measurements or adjustments. The patient-specific anatomical features of the guide (such as custom-curved contact surfaces and predefined alignment references) enable the device to find its correct position autonomously when placed on the bone, dramatically reducing the time and skill required for positioning while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Various orthopedic systems and techniques are disclosed. The systems according to one example can include a first portion configured to moveably couple to the first end of a body and configured to reference a first surface of the bone positioned to a first side of a longitudinal axis of the bone and a second portion configured to moveably couple to the second end of the body and configured to reference a second surface of the of the bone positioned to a second side of the longitudinal axis of the bone. Other orthopedic systems utilize an arm and a plurality shims. Each shim can be configured to couple with the arm and can reference a junction between a neck of the femur and a lesser trochanter of the femur.