Tibial Cutting Guide Assembly for Patient-Specific Slope Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic surgical tools lack precision in preparing bones for arthroplasty implants, particularly in establishing patient-specific tibial slope and ensuring accurate alignment and rotation during knee arthroplasty procedures.

Innovation Solution

A tibial cutting guide assembly comprising a tibial cutting block with a biasing clip and a slope setting pin, allowing for precise cuts and patient-specific tibial slope, along with surgical control over internal/external rotation and varus/valgus alignment, using a monoblock design and adjustable fixation pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing orthopedic surgical tools are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but precision in establishing patient-specific tibial slope and ensuring accurate alignment is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetibial slope precisionVSAvoidpatient-specific customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slope setting pin is made movable within a slot rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment to different positions. This enables the cutting guide to adapt to various tibial slope requirements while maintaining precise control over the cutting angle, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows changing the slope parameter by repositioning the slope setting pin along the slot. This parameter adjustment capability enables customization for different patients while maintaining accurate alignment through the biased positioning mechanism, thus improving both measurement precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a fixed design is used for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but precision and control over alignment and rotation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidguide assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biased slope setting pin creates a dynamic yet controlled adjustment mechanism. The spring bias provides consistent positioning force while allowing manual repositioning, achieving high alignment accuracy without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-biased pin system is self-positioning and self-retaining. The spring automatically maintains the pin against the block surface, providing continuous positioning pressure without requiring additional fasteners or complex fixation mechanisms, thus improving manufacturing precision while limiting device complexity growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for adjustability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slope setting pin integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a positioning element and an adjustment mechanism. The pin combines the functions of setting the slope angle, maintaining positioning through spring bias, and allowing repositioning within the slot, thereby improving adaptability while reducing the number of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slope setting pin performs multiple functions simultaneously: it establishes the cutting angle, provides self-positioning through spring bias, allows adjustment to different slopes, and works with the slot and block surface to create a complete adjustment system. This multi-functionality improves adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables precise and controlled bone resection for arthroplasty implants by providing patient-specific tibial slope and alignment, facilitating efficient surgical procedures with improved accuracy and maneuverability.

Implementation Method 1

a slope setting pin biased toward a surface of the tibial cutting block by the biasing clip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12521123B2Tibial cutting guide assemblies and associated instrumentation for performing surgical methods

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to tibial cutting guide assemblies for preparing a tibia for receiving an arthroplasty implant. Exemplary tibial cutting guide assemblies may include a tibial cutting block for making precise cuts in the tibia, and a slope setting pin for establishing a patient specific tibial slope. The tibial cutting guide assemblies allow for level resection while providing surgical control over internal/external rotation and varus/valgus alignment.