Patient-Specific Orthopaedic Guide for Implant Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopaedic implant alignment methods fail to account for patient-specific data, leading to misalignment and excessive wear, particularly in patients deviating from standard models or engaging in different post-implant activities, resulting in remedial surgery needs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a guide with a socket engaging portion manufactured according to patient-specific data, using guide indicia generation means and a reference marker for precise alignment, along with an impactor for accurate implant placement, considering geometric features and desired post-implant activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If standard models of the human body are used for implant alignment, then the implant alignment process is simplified and faster, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates for patients deviating from the standard model

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment speedVSAvoidimplant alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Patient-specific alignment data is calculated and stored in advance using imaging data and functional activity analysis. The guide is pre-configured with this personalized alignment information before surgery, allowing the surgeon to directly apply accurate alignment parameters without complex intraoperative calculations, thus maintaining surgical efficiency while achieving patient-specific precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A customized guide acts as an intermediary device that translates patient-specific anatomical and functional requirements into precise alignment parameters. The guide incorporates patient-specific data and geometric features to physically guide the implant placement, bridging the gap between standard surgical tools and individualized alignment needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If patient-specific data and customization are used for implant alignment, then the implant alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment accuracyVSAvoidguide complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide incorporates patient-specific geometric features and alignment parameters only at the critical interfaces and engagement points that directly affect alignment accuracy. The majority of the guide structure can remain standardized, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining personalized precision where it matters most

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide utilizes asymmetric geometric features that match the patient's specific anatomy and alignment requirements. These asymmetric features are strategically placed to provide unique engagement with patient-specific landmarks, ensuring accurate orientation and positioning without requiring complete customization of the entire device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If patient-specific data and functional activities are considered for implant alignment, then the implant durability is improved by reducing wear, but the time required for alignment planning and execution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant durabilityVSAvoidalignment planning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Patient-specific alignment parameters are calculated and optimized in advance by considering the patient's desired functional activities and biomechanical requirements. This pre-planning allows the surgical team to proceed directly to implementation without time-consuming intraoperative analysis, ensuring both durability optimization and surgical efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from imaging data and functional activity analysis to optimize alignment parameters before surgery. This pre-surgical feedback loop allows for iterative refinement of alignment predictions based on patient-specific biomechanics, ensuring durable outcomes without extending surgical time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9980829B2Method, guide, guide indicia generation means, computer readable storage medium, reference marker and impactor for aligning an implant

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 CORIN

AI summary

There is provided a method (100) for aligning and positioning an implant (305). The method (100) comprises creating a reference using a guide (500) configured in accordance with patient specific data; fixing the reference using a reference marker (920) and delivering the implant (305) with an impactor (1005) aligned in accordance with the reference. Guide light emission means (515a) may be employed to create the reference, reference marker light emission means (515b) may be employed to fix the reference and impactor light emission means (515c) may be employed to align an impactor (1005).