Talar Dome Implant Clamp for Stable Ankle Arthroplasty Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic surgical instruments lack a reliable and versatile system for securely holding and inserting various types of talar dome implants and talar dome trials during ankle joint prosthetic procedures, with existing tools often being unstable and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clamp with pivotally connected arms featuring protrusions that engage recesses in the talar dome implant, a holder apparatus with rotating arms, and a tibia tray system with orthogonally oriented blind slots for improved connection, along with other instruments like impactors and distractors, to enhance stability and efficiency in implant and trial handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded rod is used to insert flat cut talar dome implants, then the implant can be securely inserted, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the threaded rod from the implant design and replaces it with a dedicated insertion instrument that has a gripping mechanism. The instrument engages with the implant's geometric features (flat cut surface or chamfer) to provide secure holding without requiring threading operations, thereby eliminating the time-consuming threaded rod insertion process while maintaining reliable implant placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated insertion instrument as an intermediary between the surgeon's hand and the implant. This instrument serves as a mediator that provides both secure gripping of the implant and controlled insertion, replacing the direct hand-insertion method for chamfered implants and simplifying the threaded rod process for flat cut implants
2Ease of operation
If chamfered talar dome implants are inserted by hand, then the procedure is simple, but the implant becomes unstable and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated insertion instrument as an intermediary tool that the surgeon operates to hold and insert the chamfered implant. The instrument's gripping mechanism engages with the implant's geometric features to provide stable control during insertion, maintaining simplicity of operation while eliminating the instability and difficulty of control associated with direct hand insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the insertion function into two parts: the gripping mechanism that provides stable control and the insertion motion that remains simple. The instrument separates the control function from the motion function, allowing the surgeon to maintain simple operation while the instrument provides the necessary stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a key shaped trial holder is used to hold talar dome trials, then the trial can be attached to the holder, but the connection is unreliable and the trial can fall off during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key-shaped connection mechanism from the trial holder design and replaces it with a dedicated gripping mechanism that engages with the trial's geometric features. This new mechanism provides reliable connection during the procedure while maintaining compatibility with different trial types through the universal gripping design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the trial holder connection to be disposable or single-use in terms of the engagement mechanism. The gripping mechanism is designed to provide reliable connection for the duration of the procedure and then be discarded or reset, ensuring that the connection reliability is not compromised by repeated use and wear
4Reliability
If threaded connections are used to attach instruments to the tibia tray, then secure attachment is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming due to thread alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the threaded connection mechanism from the instrument attachment design and replaces it with a direct engagement mechanism that utilizes the existing geometric features of the tibia tray and instrument. This eliminates the need for thread alignment and threading operations while maintaining secure attachment through precise geometric matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features into the instrument and tibia tray design, such as guide pins or alignment surfaces, that automatically position the components correctly before final engagement. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment is achieved automatically without requiring time-consuming manual thread alignment
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are new and improved instruments, systems, and methods that relate to the field of orthopedic surgical instruments.