Tibial Resection Guide Alignment With One-Hand Decoupling Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tibia alignment devices face challenges such as high costs, complex handling, anatomical incompatibility, and potential hematomas due to force-fitting clamping, requiring multiple designs for varying patient anatomies and complicating surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A single alignment device that integrates both anterior and proximal fixation principles, featuring resilient clamping elements and a telescopic shaft with a decoupling mechanism, allowing easy attachment and removal without additional manual operations, and adaptable to various anatomies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring-biased clamping arms are used for fixation, then the alignment device can be securely attached to the tibia, but hematomas occur due to excessive clamping force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidhematoma formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping force parameter is changed from a high spring-biased force to a low friction-based holding force, allowing secure fixation without excessive pressure that causes hematomas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical spring-biased clamping system is replaced with a friction-based holding system using a friction element, eliminating the need for high spring forces while maintaining fixation security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple alignment device designs are used for different anatomies, then anatomical compatibility is improved, but device complexity and handling complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of device variants

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single alignment device design is created that can accommodate different anatomies through adjustable parameters (telescopic shaft, rotatable clamping arms) rather than requiring multiple specialized designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities including telescopic shaft extension and clamping arm rotation, allowing adaptation to various anatomical configurations with one universal design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple alignment device designs are used for different anatomies, then anatomical compatibility is improved, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

One universal alignment device design replaces multiple anatomy-specific designs, reducing manufacturing costs through standardization while maintaining adaptability to different patient anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If force-fit fixation is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but trauma occurs to the patient's tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The force-fit mechanical attachment system is replaced with a friction-based holding system that secures the device without excessive force, eliminating tissue trauma while maintaining attachment security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction element automatically adjusts to provide appropriate holding force based on the contact surface conditions, achieving secure attachment without requiring pre-set high forces that cause trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates efficient, trauma-free fixation and release, reduces handling complexity, and ensures precise alignment across diverse anatomies, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

clamping elements which are each designed to be resilient or are made of a resilient material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12490993B2Alignment device for a tibial resection guide

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 AESCULAP AG

AI summary

An alignment device for a tibial resection guide includes a clamping device having at least two clamping elements acting against one another for clamping the distal end of a tibia of a patient. A contact device for contacting the proximal end of the tibia includes a tool guiding device for guiding a tool during the resection of the tibia. A telescopic device is separably connected to the contact device and adjustably connected to the clamping device. The telescopic device is designed to align the contact device and clamping device with respect to the tibia. The telescopic device has a decoupling device configured to separate the contact device from the telescopic device when activated. The clamping elements are designed such that the telescopic device can be removed from the tibia with one hand after the decoupling device is activated.