Anterior Tibial Canal Preparation Using Powered Cutting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current ankle joint replacement procedures often require additional incisions and extended recovery times due to the need to access the tibial intramedullary canal from the bottom of the foot, which can delay weight-bearing post-surgery.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for preparing the intramedullary canal of the tibia using a power driver with a cutting tool bit, positioned from the anterior, posterior, or lateral side, to form a tibial hole or cavity for receiving a tibial implant, potentially reducing the need for additional incisions and enhancing recovery by allowing more direct access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the intramedullary canal is accessed from the bottom of the foot, then the tibial canal can be prepared for implant reception, but additional incisions are required and recovery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to tibial canalVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional surgical approach by accessing the tibial intramedullary canal from the anterior (front) side of the ankle rather than from the posterior (bottom of foot) side. This is achieved by resecting the distal tibia to create an anterior access pathway, allowing the surgeon to prepare the canal from the front, which eliminates the need for additional heel incisions and reduces recovery time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If manual reaming is used to prepare the intramedullary canal, then the procedure can be performed from the anterior side, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanterior accessVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical reaming with a powered cutting tool system. A power driver equipped with a cutting tool bit is inserted through the anterior access pathway into the tibial intramedullary canal, where it automatically performs the cutting and reaming operations. This mechanical substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual reaming process while maintaining the benefits of anterior surgical access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach may reduce recovery time and minimize additional incisions by enabling more direct access to the tibial canal, facilitating quicker weight-bearing post-surgery and potentially improving surgical efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

cutting into the intramedullary canal using the power driver to form a tibial hole or a tibial cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS20250017600A1Preparing a tibia for receiving tibial implant component of a replacement ankle

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Disclosed is are various methods of preparing a tibial intramedullary canal for receiving a tibial implant, methods of preparing a talus for receiving a talar implant, and some examples of a power driver adapter that can be used to carry out the preparation of the tibial intramedullary canal.