Disposable Surgical Handle with Integrated Bone Sizing Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for radial head replacement require multiple instruments and remote sizing devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the complexity of determining the appropriate implant size for the elbow joint, which is critical for maintaining joint stability and preventing subluxation.
Innovation Solution
A disposable orthopedic handle with a plurality of sizing cavities that can attach to an orthopedic device, allowing for the determination of the size of resected bone by receiving the bone in different cavities to select the appropriate implant size, and a working shaft with a planarizer to prepare the bone surface for implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple instruments and remote sizing devices are used for radial head replacement, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate functions (sizing cavities for implant size determination and planarizer for bone surface preparation) into a single integrated handle assembly. This allows the surgeon to perform both sizing and bone preparation tasks using one instrument rather than multiple separate instruments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the integrated sizing cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a sizing device with multiple cavities for determining implant size and as a bone preparation tool with the planarizer attachment. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized instruments for each function, reducing the overall number of instruments required while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used for radial head replacement, then functional versatility is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sizing functionality with the bone preparation functionality into a single handle assembly, the patent enables the surgeon to complete multiple surgical steps without changing instruments. This integration maintains functional versatility while improving productivity by reducing the time and complexity associated with using multiple separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The sizing cavities are pre-configured with different dimensions to anticipate various implant size requirements before the actual implantation. This preliminary preparation allows for quick size determination and subsequent bone preparation in sequence, improving surgical efficiency by eliminating the need to switch between multiple specialized instruments during the procedure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a disposable handle is used, then manufacturing cost and sterilization cost are reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed as a disposable instrument that can be manufactured at lower cost using materials such as biocompatible polymers or metals, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization processes. The sizing cavities are precision-formed during manufacturing to ensure accurate implant size determination, maintaining measurement precision despite the disposable nature of the instrument.
Data Source
AI summary
A single-use handle is configured to attach to a working shaft that can support a sounder for measuring the medullary canal of a proximal radius, and a planarizer that is configured to planarize a proximal edge of the proximal radius after the proximal radius has been resected. The handle can further include a plurality of sizing cavities that are configured to receive the resected bone so as to determine the size of the resected bone. The handle can further include an ejector that is configured to decouple the planarizer from the working shaft.