Integrated Tibia Guide Plate for Prosthetic Knee Resection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for preparing the proximal surface of the tibia for prosthetic knee joint components are cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the complexity and requirement of specialized skills in using stability gap guide drill plates and router plates, which complicates the translation of the stability gap measurement into a final bone resection profile.

Innovation Solution

A simplified arrangement and method that uses a tibia and femoral stability gap preparation plate to establish a reference plane, allowing for a more consistent and safe final resection of the proximal surface of the tibia by aligning a cutting guide with the joint liner's reference plane and incrementally adjusting it to replicate the necessary profile, reducing the need for multiple steps and specialized skills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If stability gap guide drill plate and router plate are used to prepare the proximal surface of the tibia, then the final bone resection profile can be established, but the process becomes cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinal bone resection profile accuracyVSAvoidnumber of specialized apparatus and steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of the stability gap guide drill plate, guide router plate, and final bone resection guide into a single integrated tibia guide plate. This unified device eliminates the need for multiple separate apparatus and reduces the number of sequential steps required, while maintaining the ability to establish an accurate final bone resection profile based on the stability gap measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tibia guide plate is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations: establishing stability gap measurements, guiding drill hole placement, guiding router operations, and finally guiding the bone resection cut. This single universal device replaces several specialized tools, reducing complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple specialized apparatus and steps are used to translate stability gap measurement into final resection profile, then accurate bone resection can be achieved, but the process requires too many steps and specialized skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresection profile accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple specialized apparatus into a single integrated tibia guide plate, the patent reduces the number of steps and the level of specialized skills required. The unified device provides a more straightforward workflow where the surgeon establishes the stability gap once, and the integrated guide systematically translates this measurement through to the final resection without requiring multiple specialized tools or complex procedural steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If stability gap drill plate and router plate are used, then the requisite profile of the proximal surface of the tibia can be established, but the process is potentially open to error if skills are not employed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproximal surface profile accuracyVSAvoidconsistency of results
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated tibia guide plate reduces errors by providing a continuous, unbroken chain of guidance from the initial stability gap measurement through to the final bone resection. By eliminating the transitions between multiple separate apparatus, the device reduces cumulative errors and ensures consistent results regardless of the surgeon's level of specialized skill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tibia guide plate acts as an intermediary device that systematically translates the stability gap measurement into the final resection profile through integrated guidance features. This intermediary mechanism ensures accurate and consistent translation of measurements without requiring the surgeon to perform complex intermediate steps, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3445291B1An arrangement for use in the preparation of the proximal surface of the tibia for the tibia component of a prosthetic knee joint
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 CABOT JONATHAN PETER
  • EP3445291B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3445291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3445291B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

An arrangement for the preparation of the proximal surface of the tibia for a tibia component of a prosthetic knee joint, wherein the arrangement includes a preparation plate that assists in defining a reference plane. A cutting guide arrangement includes an indicator that provides orientation for a cutting blade or saw to cut the final bone resection of the proximal surface of the tibia the same as the reference plane. There is also a mounting arrangement between the joint liner and the cutting guide arrangement, so that in a first mounting position the indicator of the cutting guide is aligned with the same referenced plane defined by the underside of the joint liner and wherein the mounting arrangement also provides a second mounted position wherein the indicator of the cutting guide is aligned with the same referenced plane orientation of the underside of the joint liner but below the initial resected proximal surface of the tibia where the final resection of bone will take place.