Cutting Guide With Distractor For Tibial Osteotomy Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-tibial osteotomy procedures face challenges in aligning cuts accurately due to the mechanical axis not being visible from the side of the knee, requiring multiple instrument steps and complicating further adjustments, especially in opening wedge procedures where the device must be re-attached to the tibia for additional corrections.
Innovation Solution
A cutting guide with a first and second arm, pivotably connected and equipped with a distractor mechanism, allowing for rotation and axial motion to create a wedge cut in the tibia while maintaining alignment, and enabling the guide to be affixed to the anterior portion of the proximal tibia, facilitating both opening and closing wedge osteotomy procedures with improved alignment and adjustment capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cutting guide is affixed to the medial or lateral side of the tibia to guide the cut, then the patellar tendon is easily avoided, but alignment of cuts becomes more difficult because the mechanical axis is not visible from the side of the knee
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is repositioned from the traditional medial or lateral side attachment to the anterior surface of the tibia. This dimensional change allows the mechanical axis to be visible and accessible during the procedure, improving alignment precision while maintaining protection of the patellar tendon through the guide's structural design
2Ease of operation
If the cutting guide is removed after completing the cut to open or close the wedge, then the procedure can proceed to wedge manipulation, but an additional step is added which prolongs the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is designed with multi-functionality to remain attached during both the cutting phase and the subsequent wedge opening/closing phase. The guide structure incorporates features that allow it to serve dual purposes: guiding the initial cut and then facilitating wedge manipulation without requiring removal, thereby eliminating the additional step and reducing procedure time
3Ease of operation
If the device used to open the wedge is removed prior to attempting insertion of a filler implant, then the implant can be inserted, but further opening of the wedge would require the device to be re-attached to the tibia
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is designed to remain attached during implant insertion and to provide continued support for wedge adjustment. The guide structure integrates features that allow implant passage while maintaining attachment to the tibia, enabling both implant insertion and subsequent wedge opening without device removal or re-attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting guide is designed in advance to accommodate both the opening wedge procedure and subsequent implant insertion. The guide structure is pre-configured with features that allow it to facilitate the opening wedge, support implant insertion, and maintain attachment throughout, eliminating the need for re-attachment operations
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 solution streamlines the osteotomy process by allowing for accurate and efficient formation of wedge cuts without the need for frequent instrument removal, enhancing alignment precision and reducing procedural complexity, while enabling secure fixation and adjustment of the wedge for proper angular correction.
Implementation Method 1
The distractor is a screw that is operatively engaged with the first arm by insertion within a threaded hole in the first arm such that rotation of the screw causes axial motion of the screw with respect to the first arm
Implementation Method 2
rotation of the screw causes axial motion of the screw with respect to the first arm in a direction away from the first cutting guide surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting guide for performing a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed. The cutting guide includes a first arm having a first cutting guide surface formed therein, a second arm having a second cutting guide surface formed therein pivotably connected to the first arm and a distractor operatively connected to the first arm. The cutting guide is adapted to be affixed to the bone such that the first cutting guide surface is open to the second cutting guide surface. The first arm and second arm are rotatable with respect to each other such that manipulation of the distractor creates a force between the first arm and the second arm causing rotation of the first arm and second arm relative to each other. A method for using the cutting guide in a bone osteotomy procedure is also disclosed.