Telescopic Orthopedic Reaming Tool for Glenoid Vault and Fossa
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoulder joint replacement procedures, particularly reaming the glenoid during shoulder arthroplasty, are complex, time-consuming, and challenging due to the size and orientation of conventional reamers, which can lead to increased surgical effort and the need for smaller implants, and may require manual manipulation of instruments, limiting the use of surgical robots.
Innovation Solution
A cutting instrument with a retractable and extendible vault reaming component that can be telescopically received by a fossa reaming component, allowing for a reduced initial length during approach and enabling simultaneous reaming of both the vault and fossa, thereby simplifying the procedure and allowing for larger implant sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional reamer with full vault reaming length is used during approach, then complete vault reaming capability is achieved, but the instrument length becomes excessive and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The reaming function is segmented into two separate components: a fossa reaming component and a vault reaming component. The vault reaming component can be selectively extended or retracted relative to the fossa reaming component, allowing the instrument to be manipulated easily during approach with the vault portion retracted, and then extended to perform complete vault reaming when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vault reaming component is made dynamically adjustable through a telescopic mechanism that allows it to be extended and retracted. During the approach phase, the vault reaming component is retracted to reduce overall instrument length and improve manipulability. When vault reaming is required, the component is extended to provide the full reaming length, thus adapting the instrument configuration to the specific surgical phase.
2Manufacturing precision
If a longer vault reaming component is used, then complete vault reaming is achieved, but the initial instrument length during approach becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The vault reaming component is nested within or alongside the fossa reaming component in a telescopic arrangement. The vault reaming component can be housed within the fossa reaming component during approach, effectively hiding the long reaming portion within the shorter fossa component. When vault reaming is needed, the nested vault component is extended outward to perform its function, thus achieving complete vault reaming capability without the instrument being excessively long during approach.
3Ease of operation
If the vault reaming component is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the instrument cannot be easily manipulated or used with surgical robots
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded or elastomeric biasing system that automatically returns the vault reaming component to its retracted position after extension. This self-returning mechanism eliminates the need for complex motorized actuators or manual retraction procedures, making the instrument compatible with surgical robots while maintaining acceptable structural complexity. The mechanism serves itself by automatically resetting for the next use cycle.
4Productivity
If conventional separate reaming steps are used for vault and fossa, then each area can be optimized independently, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fossa reaming component and vault reaming component are merged into a single integrated instrument assembly. Both components can be simultaneously engaged with the glenoid bone, allowing the surgeon to perform fossa reaming and vault reaming in a single surgical step rather than requiring separate instruments and sequential procedures. This merging of functions into one instrument significantly improves surgical efficiency while the modular telescopic design keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A bone cutting instrument may include a first component having one or more cutting features configured to remove a fossa of a scapula and a second component having one or more cutting features configured to remove at least a vault of the scapula. The second component can be selectively moveable relative to the first component to remove at least a portion of the vault and is configured to engage the first component to drive the first component for removing the fossa.