Adjustable Tibial Cut Guide with Extramedullary Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic procedures for knee arthroplasties face challenges in accurately positioning and adjusting tibial cut guides during bone resection, leading to increased procedure time and potential inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
An extramedullary alignment guide system with adjustable components, including a tibial cut guide with a sagittal cut slot and quick-connect mechanisms, allows for precise positioning and rapid adjustment of the tibial cut guide along multiple axes, facilitating quicker and more accurate bone resection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fixed alignment guides are used, then the structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy and adjustability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is divided into multiple segments that can be independently adjusted. The guide includes a proximal assembly and distal assembly that can be positioned relative to each other, allowing precise adjustment of the tibial cut guide in multiple dimensions while maintaining overall structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The proximal and distal assemblies can be moved relative to each other along the longitudinal axis and rotated relative to each other, enabling real-time adjustment of positioning accuracy during the surgical procedure.
2Productivity
If traditional rigid connection methods are used, then the assembly is stable, but the quick adjustment capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanisms are pre-configured with quick-connect features that allow for rapid assembly and disassembly. The proximal and distal assemblies include pre-positioned connection elements that enable quick adjustment without requiring complex assembly procedures, thus achieving both speed and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment capabilities are merged into integrated connection mechanisms between the proximal and distal assemblies. The same connection structure enables both longitudinal movement and rotational adjustment, reducing the number of separate controls needed while maintaining full adjustability across multiple axes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses including a system that can be used in a knee replacement procedure are disclosed. According to one example, the system can include a tibial cut guide and an alignment guide. The tibial cut guide can have a first guide portion coupled to and adjustable relative to a second guide portion. The first guide portion can be configured to define a sagittal cut slot and the second guide portion can be configured to define a proximal cut slot. The alignment guide can be configured for extramedullary mounting to the patient and can be configured to couple with the second guide portion of the tibial cut guide. The alignment guide can have a first mechanism and a second mechanism of differing construction. The first mechanism and the second mechanism can both be configured to be actuated to facilitate extension and retraction of the alignment guide to position the tibial cut guide in a desired proximal-distal location relative a tibia of a patient when the tibial cut guide and the alignment guide are assembled together.