Patient-Specific Tibial Alignment Guide with Asymmetric Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic implant and guide technologies face challenges in accurately positioning and aligning implants during procedures, particularly in knee surgery, due to limitations in matching subcutaneous anatomic features and providing clearance for tendons, which can lead to inaccuracies and complications.
Innovation Solution
The development of patient-specific alignment guides and associated drill guides with unique geometric features, such as cannulated posts and receptacles, that conform to the tibial joint surface, allowing for precise alignment and tendon clearance, enabling accurate placement of implants while maintaining stability and avoiding tendon interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional guides matching subcutaneous anatomic features are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion with anatomy-engaging surfaces for positioning, separate guiding receptacles for each post, and distinct receptacle types (first receptacle with longer length, second receptacle with shorter length). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the alignment guide have different geometric characteristics tailored to specific functions. The first receptacle has a longer length to accommodate the first post for lateral condyle drilling, while the second receptacle has a shorter length for the second post. The anatomy-engaging surfaces are specifically shaped to match the tibial joint surface, providing localized precision where needed.
2Reliability
If posts are positioned to provide tendon clearance, then safety is improved, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is pre-configured with receptacles at specific locations and orientations relative to the tibial joint surface. The first and second posts are positioned in advance within the drill guide body, with their locations predetermined to provide adequate clearance from the patellar tendon while maintaining accurate alignment for implant placement. This preliminary positioning ensures both safety and precision simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple posts with different cross-sectional shapes are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second posts are designed with different cross-sectional shapes to provide asymmetric positioning capabilities. This asymmetry allows the drill guide to achieve precise alignment for different drilling locations (lateral condyle vs. other areas) while the alignment guide accommodates these differences through corresponding receptacles of different types, maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for an orthopedic knee procedure. The device includes a tibial drill guide having a body portion and first and second posts extending from the body portion, the first post shorter in length than the second post. The device includes a patient-specific tibial alignment guide including a body with an inner anatomy-engaging surface shaped to closely conform and mate with a corresponding tibial joint surface. The first and second guiding receptacles define first and second inner channels sized and shaped to receive the first and second posts of the tibial drill guide. The first receptacle being shorter in length than the second receptacle, such that when the alignment guide is mounted on the tibial joint surface and the drill guide is mounted on the alignment guide, the first receptacle and the first post define a clearance gap between the tibia and the device for a patellar tendon.