Staple-Style Compression Implants for Low-Bulk TPLO Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TPLO procedures often involve bulky implants that cause chafing and address insufficient joint portions, necessitating additional procedures, while current implants fail to provide adequate joint stabilization and may require further interventions.
Innovation Solution
The use of staple-style orthopedic implants with a bridge and multiple legs, designed to minimize joint interference and enhance stabilization by distributing compressive forces across bone segments, utilizing materials like nitinol or titanium for improved strength and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky implant systems (plates and screws) are used for TPLO procedures, then joint stabilization is provided, but the implants chafe against soft tissues and increase foreign material within the joint space
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple legs (typically three) that can be independently inserted into separate bone openings. This segmentation allows the implant to achieve stable fixation through distributed anchoring while maintaining a compact overall structure that minimizes soft tissue interference and foreign material presence in the joint space.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a planar plate configuration to a three-dimensional staple-style structure with legs extending in multiple directions. This dimensional change enables the implant to engage bone tissue volumetrically through multiple openings while reducing the profile and bulk that would otherwise chafe against soft tissues.
2Reliability
If current implants are used for TPLO procedures, then some joint stabilization is provided, but insufficient portions of the joint are addressed requiring subsequent procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The staple-style implant with multiple legs is designed to simultaneously address multiple portions of the joint through a single procedure. Each leg can be positioned to stabilize different regions of the resected tibial plateau, providing comprehensive joint stabilization and preventing downstream issues that would require additional procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant design anticipates and prevents future joint instability issues by providing comprehensive stabilization across multiple joint portions during the initial TPLO procedure. The multiple legs are strategically positioned to address potential downstream problems before they occur, eliminating the need for subsequent corrective procedures.
3Reliability
If implants with larger contact area are used, then joint stabilization is improved, but implant bulk increases causing soft tissue chafing
Solution Approach 1:
The implant concentrates its stabilizing function at specific local points where the legs engage the bone tissue through drilled openings. Rather than distributing material broadly to increase contact area, the design achieves stabilization through localized anchoring points that provide sufficient fixation without increasing overall implant bulk or causing soft tissue chafing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The implants provide effective joint stabilization, reducing the risk of implant disturbance and enhancing healing by minimizing bulk and maximizing contact with stronger bone regions, thus promoting fusion and restoring joint stability.
Implementation Method 1
advancing a staple-style orthopedic implant, in a deformed configuration, into the plurality of openings... allowing the staple-style orthopedic implant to return to a reformed configuration, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is inwardly biased
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises: resecting a tibial plateau to form a resected portion; arranging the resected portion in an altered position with respect to a tibial shaft; preparing a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings comprising a first opening and a third opening formed in the tibial shaft, a second opening formed in the resected portion; and advancing a staple-style orthopedic implant into the plurality of openings, the staple-style orthopedic implant comprising: a bridge having curved contour between a first end and a second end; and a plurality of legs extending from the bridge, the plurality of legs comprising: a first leg extending from the first end; a second leg extending from the second end; and a third leg, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs corresponds with each opening of the plurality of openings.