Patient-Specific Surgical Guide With Bone Cutting Depth Markings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone cutting procedures in ankle replacement surgeries lack precise control over cutting depth, requiring tactile feedback and concentration to avoid damaging surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific cutting guide that matches the contour of the bone surface, providing depth-controlled cutting and sculpting, guided by apertures and depth markings to ensure accurate cuts without excessive depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used to determine bone cutting depth, then the surgical process is simple and quick, but the precision and accuracy of cutting depth determination are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual inspection to three-dimensional optical field measurement. The optical field detector captures depth information in the third dimension, enabling precise measurement of bone cutting depth without increasing structural complexity of the surgical guide itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement methods (visual inspection, physical gauges) with optical field detection technology. This substitution enables non-contact, high-precision measurement of cutting depth while maintaining the simplicity of the surgical guide structure.
2Productivity
If traditional surgical guides without depth information are used, then the device structure is simple, but the surgical efficiency and safety are reduced due to inability to accurately control cutting depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical field detector as an intermediary component between the surgical guide and the measurement system. This detector provides real-time depth information to surgeons, improving surgical efficiency and safety while adding minimal structural complexity to the guide itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical field detector continuously monitors cutting depth and provides real-time information to the surgeon. This feedback loop enables precise control of cutting depth, improving surgical efficiency and preventing excessive cutting.
3Reliability
If visual inspection alone is used for bone cutting depth assessment, then the surgical process is quick, but the reliability and consistency of depth measurement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement of cutting depth through the optical field detector, which can continuously track the position of the cutting tool relative to the bone surface. This continuous measurement provides reliable and consistent depth information without requiring intermittent visual inspections, thus maintaining surgical speed while improving reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A guide for use in cutting a bone is disclosed. The guide includes a bone contacting surface contoured to conformably mate with a first bone surface when placed against the first bone surface, and a guide surface that is spaced apart from the bone contacting surface. At least one prescribed patient-specific depth of cut information is provided on the guide surface that corresponds to the desired depth of cut being made using the guide.