Surgical Guide Push Features for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The correct positioning of patient-specific devices during orthopedic procedures is challenging due to uncertainty in maintaining the devices in the correct position, leading to potential deviations from surgical planning and suboptimal outcomes.
Innovation Solution
Patient-specific devices are designed with one or more push features that allow for precise positioning by determining the axis of least-constrained rotational and translational directions, enabling force application perpendicular or parallel to these axes, thereby ensuring correct placement and stability without additional burden on the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional patient-specific devices are used without push features, then the device structure remains simple, but the positioning accuracy and operator confidence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The push feature is integrated directly into the patient-specific device body, allowing the device to self-position through force application at the optimized location without requiring separate positioning tools or complex adjustment mechanisms. The device serves its own positioning function through the strategically placed push feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimal push location is predetermined through computational analysis of the device's geometry and contact surfaces before manufacturing. This preliminary determination of the force application point ensures that when the operator applies force, the device automatically positions itself accurately without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If push features are added to patient-specific devices, then positioning stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the entire device structure, the push feature is localized to a specific point or region on the device body where computational analysis determines it will have maximum effect. This localized modification provides positioning stability while minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The push feature enables the device to maintain its own position through the application of force at the optimized location, creating a self-stabilizing mechanism that does not require additional active components, motors, or complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the operator manually positions the device without push features, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation and operator confidence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The push feature allows the operator to easily position the device by simply applying force at the predetermined optimal location, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures, adjustment mechanisms, or specialized positioning tools. The device structure remains relatively simple while dramatically improving ease of operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If force is applied at non-optimal locations on the device, then the device structure remains simple, but the positioning precision and force efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optimal push location is calculated in advance based on the device geometry, contact surface characteristics, and desired positioning direction. This preliminary computational action identifies the exact point where applied force will produce maximum positioning precision and minimum energy waste, eliminating the need for trial-and-error positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The push feature transforms the positioning problem by changing the parameter of force application location from a variable that requires operator judgment to a fixed, optimized value determined by computational analysis. This parameter optimization ensures that every unit of applied force contributes maximally to positioning precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The application provides methods for providing a surgical guide for placement on an anatomical part wherein the guide is provided with one or more dedicated push features that can be used as pressure points for applying force onto the surgical guide. The application further provides guides comprising one or more push features which can be used as a pressure point for applying force onto said guide.