Patient-Specific Prosthetic Positioning Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional osteotomy templates are not adapted to individual patient anatomies, leading to reduced precision and increased risk of errors and complications, especially in patients with anatomical deviations, due to limitations in adjustment possibilities.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus with a custom-configured locating block and placement indicator, guided by pre-operative imaging, which includes a mating surface for precise tissue contact and a cutting plane indicator for accurate resection, and a spacing arm for positioning the prosthetic implant component in a desired three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional osteotomy templates are used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability are worsened due to inability to adapt to individual patient anatomies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing pre-operative imaging and planning to create a custom-configured locating block before surgery. The block is designed based on patient-specific anatomy from CT or MRI scans, allowing precise adaptation to individual anatomical variations. This pre-planning enables the locating block to be manufactured with exact dimensions and contours that match the patient's bone structure, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision while avoiding the need for complex intraoperative adjustments.
2Reliability
If traditional osteotomy templates are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to increased risk of errors and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a locating block with patient-specific anatomical contours that match the unique geometry of the individual patient's bone structure. Rather than using a generic template, the block is customized with specific curvature, size, and surface characteristics that correspond to the patient's anatomy. This local adaptation ensures reliable positioning and reduces surgical errors while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive anatomical matching.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom-configured positioning apparatus is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time is worsened due to custom manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing all custom configuration and manufacturing of the locating block before the surgical procedure. Pre-operative imaging (CT or MRI) is performed, followed by digital planning and custom fabrication of the locating block. This allows the precise, patient-specific guide to be ready prior to surgery, eliminating intraoperative delays. The time investment is made in advance, allowing the actual surgery to proceed efficiently with the pre-prepared custom apparatus.
Data Source
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AI summary
A positioning apparatus for guiding resection of a patient tissue and guiding placement of a prosthetic implant component in a desired implant position with respect to the resected patient tissue and method of use are described. A locating block includes a mating surface contoured for mating contact with the patient tissue. A cutting plane indicator provides a physical indication of a desired cutting plane for the resection. A placement indicator is spaced apart from the locating block and includes a component-contacting feature. An elongate spacing arm is operative to space the placement indicator apart from the locating block. The spacing arm is configured to place the component-contacting feature of the placement indicator at a predetermined placement position in three-dimensional space relative to the patient tissue. The placement position predetermination is at least partially based upon pre-operative imaging of the patient tissue.