Rotatable Saw Guide with Locking Feature for Osteotomy Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone cutting tools for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomies lack precision in locating curvilinear cuts, leading to potential inaccuracies and complications during the procedure.

Innovation Solution

A jig and saw guide system with a rotatable saw guide and locking feature, allowing for precise alignment and adjustment to match the desired curvilinear cut path on the tibia, enabling precise alignment of the saw guide relative to the bone's longitudinal axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional bone cutting tool is used, then the procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but the precision in locating curvilinear cuts is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision in locating curvilinear cutsVSAvoidcomplexity of jig and saw guide system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a jig body with arms for positioning, a rotatable saw guide for defining the cut path, and a locking mechanism for securing the configuration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The saw guide is designed to be rotatable relative to the jig body, allowing dynamic adjustment to match the desired curvilinear cut path. This dynamic capability enables precise alignment with the bone's anatomy while the locking feature stabilizes the configuration during the cutting procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the saw guide is fixed in position, then the alignment is stable, but the ability to adjust to the desired curvilinear cut path is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to adjust to desired curvilinear cut pathVSAvoidstability of saw guide alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The saw guide incorporates a rotatable joint that allows it to be dynamically adjusted to different angular positions to match the desired curvilinear cut path. The locking feature then secures the guide in the selected position, providing stability during the cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking feature is designed to be manually operable by the surgeon, allowing the guide to be self-adjusted and self-secured without requiring additional tools or assistance. The surgeon can directly manipulate the locking mechanism to fix the saw guide in the desired position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3610809B1Jig and saw guides for use in osteotomies
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 SYNTHES GMBH
  • EP3610809B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3610809B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3610809B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

An apparatus for locating a curvilinear cut in a bone comprises a jig body (102) and a first arm (104), a top end of which is rotatably coupleable to a first portion of the jig body in combination with a second arm (104), a top end of which is rotatably coupleable to a second portion of the jig body separated from the first portion and a saw guide (106) rotatably coupleable to the first arm, the saw guide including a bottom surface extending along a curve corresponding to a desired path through which a bone is to be cut, the saw guide including a locking feature (such as slots 208, 208', 208'') receiving a bone fixation element (such as a bone pin 20) which, in an operative configuration, is mounted in the bone to align the saw guide relative to the arm so that an operator may precisely align a desired axis of the saw guide with a longitudinal axis of the first arm. The jig body includes an orientation feature formed flush to a surface (114) which is perpendicular to the plane in which the arms extend. The orientation feature is an opening or openings (112) in this surface that can be used for alignment of the apparatus to the bone.