Surgical Boot Arch Support Insert for Knee Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foot positioning systems during orthopedic surgery, particularly for knee and hip surgeries, fail to account for individual patient anatomy, leading to arch collapse and misalignment, which can cause adverse effects such as knee imbalances and inaccurate surgical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
An intraoperative arch supporting insert or orthotic is used in conjunction with a surgical boot to maintain proper alignment by providing arch support, available in various configurations such as integral or separate components, to prevent arch collapse during foot stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the patient's foot is tightly secured in the boot to achieve immobilization, then the foot stability is improved, but the arch collapses causing knee misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple functional zones: a rigid shell for overall stability, a foam insert for cushioning, and a separate arch support component for maintaining arch integrity. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
An arch support component is introduced as an intermediary element between the patient's foot and the boot. This mediator maintains the arch structure while allowing the boot to provide necessary immobilization, preventing direct transmission of collapsing forces to the knee joint.
2Device complexity
If current pre-specified positioning boots are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but they fail to account for individual patient anatomy causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The boot system transitions from a static, one-size-fits-all design to a dynamic, adaptable system. The arch support component can be adjusted or customized to match individual patient anatomy, allowing the rigid boot structure to accommodate varying foot shapes and arch heights.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the boot system have different properties: the shell remains rigid for stability, the foam insert provides conformable cushioning that adapts to local foot contours, and the arch support offers targeted structural assistance where needed most, without requiring the entire boot to be complex or customizable.
3Manufacturing precision
If the foot is immobilized for prolonged surgery, then the surgical precision is improved, but foot injury risk increases due to arch collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The arch support component is positioned in advance within the boot system to prevent arch collapse before surgery begins. This preemptive measure cushions the arch structure against the immobilization forces that will be applied during the prolonged surgical procedure, preventing injury while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for use during orthopedic surgery configured for positioning in or on a boot configured to stabilize a foot of the patient during orthopedic surgery. The insert is sterile and includes a heel region, a toe region and an arch support positioned between the toe and heel region, the arch support configured to support an arch of the foot of the patient during stabilization of the foot during orthopedic surgery thereby preventing collapse of the arch during securement of the foot in the boot.