Subcutaneous Orthopedic Positioning Device for Pediatric Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical methods for implanting orthopedic devices in pediatric orthopedics are lengthy, cause tissue damage, and result in high radiation exposure due to the need for extensive tissue retraction and multiple radiographic images, leading to increased surgery time and medical costs.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device with a device body that can be removably positioned subcutaneously, featuring fastener guides and an implant attacher to secure orthopedic implants to the bone with minimal tissue retraction, and a body positioner for precise alignment, potentially reducing radiation exposure and surgery duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional surgical methods are used to implant orthopedic devices, then the implant can be securely positioned on the bone, but the surgery time is lengthy and tissue damage occurs due to extensive retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioning accuracyVSAvoidsurgery duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device is prepared and aligned before the actual implant placement. The device body is inserted subcutaneously and positioned relative to the bone structure in advance, allowing the implant to be attached quickly once positioning is achieved, thereby reducing overall surgery time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the implant. It provides a stable platform with attachment mechanisms that facilitate precise implant positioning without requiring extensive tissue retraction, thus reducing surgery duration while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If extensive tissue retraction is performed to access the bone, then the surgeon can precisely position the implant, but damage to surrounding tissues occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment precisionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device serves as an intermediary that provides a stable platform for implant attachment without requiring extensive exposure of the surgical site. The device body can be positioned subcutaneously and secured to the bone, allowing the implant to be attached with precision while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical approach is segmented into distinct phases: first inserting and positioning the device body subcutaneously, then attaching the implant to the device. This segmentation allows for precise implant positioning while limiting the extent of tissue retraction needed at any one time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple radiographic images are taken during surgery to ensure proper implant positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioning accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device incorporates mechanical alignment features such as guides, markers, and attachment mechanisms that provide tactile and visual feedback for proper positioning. This mechanical guidance system reduces reliance on repeated radiographic imaging, thereby decreasing radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the surgeon manually positions and secures the implant during surgery, then the implant can be properly attached to the bone, but the surgery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant fixation reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device includes self-aligning features and automated attachment mechanisms that reduce the manual effort and time required by the surgeon. The device can be positioned and secured with minimal manual adjustment, and the implant attaches quickly to pre-positioned fixation points, thereby improving surgical efficiency while maintaining reliable fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11806057B2System and method for surgical implant positioning and fixation

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 SHOEMAKER SCOTT D

AI summary

A positioning device for positioning an orthopedic implant in a patient during a surgical procedure includes a first orthopedic fastener and a device body. The orthopedic fastener penetrates into a bone of the patient to secure the orthopedic implant to the bone. The device body is removably positionable at least partially subcutaneously within the patient. The device body can retract tissue of the patient and includes a first fastener guide that guides positioning of the first orthopedic fastener relative to the bone of the patient. The device body releasably secures the orthopedic implant during positioning of the orthopedic implant. The positioning device can also include an implant attacher that removably secures the orthopedic implant to the device body. The implant attacher movably extends through the device body along an attacher axis.