Screw Targeting Guide Alignment for Single-Pass Bone Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical systems require repeated insertion and removal of guide elements, leading to additional wounds, increased pain, and prolonged recovery time due to the complexity of achieving precise bone fragment fixation.

Innovation Solution

A targeting guide system with a body, alignment arm, and guide tip that allows for precise alignment and insertion of guide elements, reducing the need for repeated placements by providing visual guidance for optimal positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If guide elements are inserted and removed multiple times to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but patient trauma and surgical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element includes pre-marked insertion depth indicators and alignment features that guide the surgeon to the correct placement position on the first attempt, eliminating the need for repeated insertions and removals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element incorporates visual feedback mechanisms such as depth markers, alignment indicators, and position verification features that provide real-time information to the surgeon during insertion, enabling precise single-attempt placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If guide elements are inserted and removed multiple times to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is pre-configured with marked insertion depth, alignment features, and positioning indicators before surgery, allowing the surgeon to achieve accurate placement in a single insertion without repeated adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Visual feedback markers and alignment indicators on the guide element provide immediate confirmation of correct placement, eliminating time-consuming trial-and-error iterations during the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If guide elements are inserted and removed multiple times to achieve desired placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but surgical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element incorporates pre-marked depth indicators, alignment features, and positioning guides that are prepared in advance, simplifying the surgical procedure by eliminating the need for complex repeated insertion and removal protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12521130B2Screw targeting guide system and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A targeting guide includes a body defining a first guide hole sized and configured to receive a guide sleeve therethrough. The first guide hole extends through the body on a first axis. An alignment arm extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the body. A tip extends from the second end of the alignment arm. A free end of the tip is aligned with the first axis of the first guide hole.