Quadruped Stifle Arthroplasty With Anatomy-Matched Cutting Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unicompartmental knee replacements are not well established for non-human subjects, such as horses, despite their potential therapeutic benefits.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for performing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in non-human mammals, including cutting devices and implant devices tailored to their anatomical differences, to secure implants in the tibial and femoral surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicompartmental knee replacement is performed in non-human mammals, then therapeutic benefits for arthritis are achieved, but the procedure is not well established due to anatomical differences
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting devices are designed with specific geometries and configurations that match the local anatomical features of quadruped knees. The tibial cutting device has a blade oriented to cut the tibial plateau at specific angles, while the femoral cutting device has corresponding orientations for the femoral condyle, ensuring each cut is adapted to the local anatomy rather than using a universal approach
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting devices incorporate asymmetric designs where the tibial cutting device and femoral cutting device have different geometries and cutting orientations. The tibial cutting device cuts at one angle while the femoral cutting device cuts at a different angle, reflecting the asymmetric anatomical structure of quadruped knee joints rather than using symmetric or human-anatomy-based designs
2Manufacturing precision
If cutting devices are used to form precise cut surfaces in tibial plateau and femoral condyle, then implant mounting precision is improved, but the complexity of the surgical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate functional modules: a tibial cutting device for cutting the tibial plateau, a femoral cutting device for cutting the femoral condyle, and separate implant devices. Each module is independently designed and can be used in sequence, allowing precise cuts to be made without requiring all components to be present simultaneously, thus managing complexity through functional segmentation
3Stability of the object's composition
If implants are securely mounted using multiple pegs in aligned holes, then implant stability is improved, but the time required for the surgical procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting devices are designed to create cut surfaces with pre-aligned hole positions that match the implant peg locations. The tibial cutting device creates a first cut surface with holes at specific orientations, and the femoral cutting device creates a second cut surface with holes at corresponding orientations, so that when implants are placed, the pegs naturally align with the pre-prepared holes without requiring additional alignment time during implantation
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for performing a quadruped unicompartmental stifle arthroplasty. The method includes cutting a plateau of a tibia to form first cut surfaces. The method also includes cutting a medial condyle of a femur to form second cut surfaces. The method also includes aligning openings in a first trial device with the first cut surfaces and forming first holes in the first cut surfaces by passing a drill through the openings in the first trial device. The method also includes aligning openings in a second trial device with the second cut surfaces and forming second holes in the second cut surfaces by passing a drill through the openings in the second trial device. The method also includes mounting a first implant device to the first cut surfaces and mounting a second implant device to the second cut surfaces. A system is also provided for performing the method.