Patient-Specific Scapula Guide for Glenoid Implant Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems for shoulder joint replacement surgeries lack accuracy due to reliance on limited landmark points, are difficult to interpret, and are costly, leading to challenges in correctly positioning the glenoid component, which can result in dislocations, decreased range of motion, and mechanical component failure.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a stock instrument with guide interacting features and a guide that can pivot to achieve a predetermined rotational orientation, assisted by preoperative planning and patient-specific imaging to ensure precise alignment of the glenoid implant with the scapula, using landmarks and orienting features for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical navigation systems are used for shoulder joint replacement, then positioning guidance is provided, but accuracy is limited due to reliance on landmark points and systems are costly and difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical replica (copy) of the patient's scapula anatomy using preoperative CT imaging data. This anatomical model includes molded recesses that precisely replicate the patient's unique glenoid geometry, allowing direct physical comparison and positioning without complex navigation systems. The copy enables accurate positioning by matching the implant against the molded recesses that represent the target anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable, inexpensive anatomical models made from imaging data rather than expensive, complex navigation systems. These single-use models are created specifically for each patient's surgery, providing accurate positioning guidance without the need for costly, reusable navigation equipment that requires complex setup and interpretation.
2Measurement precision
If complex navigation systems are used, then positioning guidance is available, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The physical anatomical model serves as a tangible copy of the patient's anatomy that surgeons can directly visualize and manipulate. Unlike abstract navigation system displays that require interpretation, the molded recesses in the physical model provide intuitive, direct visual and tactile guidance for proper implant positioning, making the process easier to operate and interpret.
3Device complexity
If limited landmark points are used for navigation, then system complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using limited landmark points, the patent creates a complete physical copy of the relevant anatomical structures including the glenoid fossa. This comprehensive anatomical replication captures all geometric features necessary for precise positioning, not just isolated landmarks, thereby achieving high positioning precision without requiring complex multi-point navigation systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stock instrument (316) includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide (530) has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue (100,102). The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue.