Surgical Targeting Device for K-wire Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for placing a K-wire in carpometacarpal joint replacement surgery rely heavily on surgical experience and require verification through X-rays, leading to prolonged procedures and potential bone weakening due to repeated repositioning.

Innovation Solution

A surgical targeting device with a dome-shaped convex outer surface and guidance through-hole for precise placement of a K-wire, featuring auxiliary through-holes for temporary attachment and a tool gripping structure for easy removal, allowing for accurate and efficient placement of a K-wire in the trapezium bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If K-wire placement is based on surgical experience and verified by X-ray, then placement accuracy can be achieved, but surgical procedure duration is extended and bone strength is weakened due to repeated repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveK-wire placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical guide is pre-configured with a targeting mechanism that includes a positioning element and a guide element aligned to receive the K-wire. This preliminary setup allows the K-wire to be placed directly at the correct location and orientation without requiring intraoperative verification and repositioning, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical guide acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the K-wire placement process. It provides a physical guide that directs the K-wire to the precise target location, eliminating the need for repeated X-ray verification and repositioning operations, thus reducing both time loss and bone weakening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If K-wire placement is based on surgical experience and verified by X-ray, then placement accuracy can be achieved, but bone strength is weakened due to repeated repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveK-wire placement accuracyVSAvoidbone strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical guide is pre-configured with a targeting mechanism that includes a positioning element and a guide element aligned to receive the K-wire. This preliminary setup allows the K-wire to be placed directly at the correct location and orientation without requiring intraoperative verification and repositioning, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical guide acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the K-wire placement process. It provides a physical guide that directs the K-wire to the precise target location, eliminating the need for repeated X-ray verification and repositioning operations, thus reducing both time loss and bone weakening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a surgical guide with dome-shaped convex outer surface is used, then placement efficiency and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement efficiencyVSAvoidsurgical guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical guide is divided into distinct functional segments: a dome-shaped convex outer surface for positioning and engagement with the bone, a targeting mechanism with positioning elements, and a guide element for K-wire insertion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural clarity and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dome-shaped convex outer surface provides a curved geometry that facilitates engagement with the bone structure and enables efficient positioning during surgery. This curved design simplifies the interaction between the guide and the bone, improving placement efficiency without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3903699B1Surgical targeting device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED
  • EP3903699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3903699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3903699B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a surgical targeting device (1) for assisting placement of an elongated guidance member (39) in a bone (55). The targeting device (1) comprises a bottom portion (13) having a dome-shaped convex outer surface (23) and comprising a guidance through-hole (27) extending along a guidance through-hole central axis (21) for receiving the guidance member (39). A top portion (11) of the targeting device (1) is configured to be gripped by a tool (57). Further, a surgical system is disclosed which comprises the surgical targeting device (1).