Surgical Tissue Resection Guide with Distractor Reference Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instrumentation for total joint replacement, particularly in ankle joint procedures, faces challenges in efficiently and accurately preparing the resected tissue surface with minimal bone removal, often requiring extensive measuring and free-hand cutting, which can lead to inconsistencies and increased risk of early loosening and failure.

Innovation Solution

The development of a surgical instrumentation system that includes a spacer guide and various tissue resection guides, alignment tools, and distractors to precisely position and resect bones, minimizing the need for repeated measurements and free-hand cutting, thereby ensuring accurate and repeatable preparation of the joint surface for the implant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If free hand cutting and repeated mounting of cut guides is used, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simple instrumentation, but the measurement precision and manufacturing precision of the resected tissue surface deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of instrumentationVSAvoidprecision of resected tissue surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cut guide is pre-mounted on the distractor device before the surgical procedure begins. The distractor is first positioned and secured to the bone, establishing a stable reference frame. The cut guide is then attached to this pre-established reference, eliminating the need for repeated mounting and measurements during the procedure. This preliminary positioning ensures consistent alignment and precision throughout the resection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the distractor device and cut guide into an integrated assembly. The cut guide is directly mounted on the distractor, creating a unified instrument that maintains fixed geometric relationships between alignment features and cutting paths. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and ensures that alignment precision is maintained throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If extensive measuring and free hand cutting are performed, then the surgical procedure can be completed with basic tools, but the productivity and efficiency of the procedure deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of basic surgical toolsVSAvoidefficiency of joint surface preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The distractor is positioned and secured to the bone before any cutting operations begin. This preliminary step establishes a stable, pre-measured reference frame that guides all subsequent cutting operations. By performing the alignment and measurement work beforehand, the actual resection process becomes faster and more efficient, as surgeons simply follow the pre-established guides rather than performing repeated measurements during cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cut guide acts as an intermediary device between the distractor reference frame and the cutting tool. It translates the pre-established alignment into precise cutting paths, eliminating the need for surgeons to perform complex measurements and calculations during the procedure. This intermediary guide maintains consistent geometric relationships and enables efficient, repeatable cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurements and re-mounting of cut guides are required, then the procedure can be performed with flexible instrumentation, but the time required for the procedure and reliability of results deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of instrumentationVSAvoidtime for repeated measurements and re-mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cut guide is permanently mounted on the distractor device, creating a fixed, integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need to remove and re-mount the cut guide during the procedure. The geometric relationship between the distractor reference frame and the cut guide paths is maintained constant throughout, enabling continuous, uninterrupted cutting operations without time-consuming re-positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cut guide is pre-attached to the distractor before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that all alignment and positioning work is completed before cutting starts. During the procedure, the integrated assembly requires no adjustments or re-mounting, significantly reducing procedure time and improving reliability of results through consistent, repeatable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3527143B1Surgical instrumentation for implanting a prothesis
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 ENCORE MEDICAL L P (D B A DJO SURGICAL)
  • EP3527143B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3527143B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3527143B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.