Patient-Specific Surgical Cutting Guide With Intra-Operative Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for orthopaedic arthroplasty procedures lack the ability to effectively account for soft tissue structures during joint reconstruction, leading to suboptimal bone cuts and potential imbalance in the joint, especially in joints like the knee, where soft tissue plays a crucial role.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with patient-specific attachment areas and an adjustable cutting guide mechanism that allows for intra-operative adjustments in the position and angle of the cutting guide relative to the bone, enabling soft tissue balancing without the need for complex navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a patient specific cutting guide is used to fix the position of cuts pre-operatively, then the attachment position to the bone is precise and unique, but the ability to adjust for soft tissue structures intra-operatively is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is designed with adjustable components that allow dynamic repositioning intra-operatively. The guide includes movable elements and adjustment mechanisms that enable surgeons to modify the cutting position and orientation based on soft tissue balancing requirements, transforming a static pre-operative plan into a dynamic intra-operative process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide is divided into separable modules including the attachment portion and the cutting guide portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the cutting guide relative to the attachment sites on the bone, enabling modification of cutting parameters without compromising the precision of bone attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) systems are used to plan and navigate cutting guide positions, then soft tissue structures can be taken into account, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument incorporates self-navigating attachment areas that automatically align with specific anatomical features of the patient's bone. This self-alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex external navigation systems while still achieving precise positioning that accounts for individual patient anatomy and soft tissue requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable cutting guide serves multiple functions: it provides pre-operative positioning accuracy through patient-specific attachment areas, enables intra-operative adjustment for soft tissue balancing, and eliminates the need for separate navigation systems. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard cutting guides are used with fixed cutting positions, then the device design is simple, but the ability to perform soft tissue balancing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The adjustment capabilities are integrated into the basic design through movable components and adjustment features that do not significantly complicate manufacturing while enabling soft tissue balancing.
Data Source
AI summary
Patient specific surgical instruments, and in particular cutting guides, and methods of use and manufacture are described. The surgical instrument can be used in an orthopaedic arthroplasty procedure to be carried out on a joint of a patient and can allowing soft tissue balancing for the joint. The instrument comprises a body having an attachment area configured using data specific to a bone of the joint of the patient so as to attach to the bone in a unique position. The instrument includes at least a first cutting guide and an adjustment mechanism operable to change the position of the cutting guide relative to the bone.