Tibial Resection System with Adjustable Drill Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems and methods for preserving the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) during knee replacement surgery are complex, difficult to use, and fail to provide stable or accurate bone cuts, particularly in producing a proximal tibial resection with radiused corners for improved bone stability.
Innovation Solution
A tibial resection system comprising a tibial block, alignment guide, and tibial implant template with a drill guide adjustment mechanism, allowing for accurate placement and rotation of drill guides, and the use of a chisel and mill guide to ensure radiused corners on the resected tibial bone block, facilitating stable bone cuts and implant placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing cruciate retaining tibial resection systems and methods are used, then cruciate ligaments can be preserved during knee replacement, but the systems are complex and difficult for surgeons to use
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the resection process into distinct functional modules: a tibial block for positioning, an alignment guide with drill guides for accurate hole placement, a cutting guide for precise saw blade positioning, and a chisel/mill guide for corner rounding. Each component performs a specific function that can be independently mastered and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ligament preservation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide serves as an intermediary device that translates the surgeon's intent into precise drill hole locations. It provides a simple interface with the tibial block and drill guides, acting as a mediator between the surgeon's hand and the complex task of accurate bone hole placement while preserving the cruciate ligaments.
2Reliability
If existing tibial resection systems are used, then cruciate ligaments can be retained, but accurate and stable bone cuts cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting guide is designed to self-align with the drill guides and tibial block, automatically positioning itself to receive the saw blade at the correct location and angle. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures and ensures accurate bone cuts while preserving the cruciate ligaments through the pre-planned resection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions through the tibial block and alignment guide before the actual cutting occurs. Drill guides are positioned first to establish accurate reference holes, then the cutting guide is aligned with these references before the saw blade makes the cut. This preliminary setup ensures both ligament retention and cutting accuracy.
3Productivity
If sharp-edged corners are produced on the tibial bone block, then the resection can be completed quickly, but bone stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chisel and mill guide is specifically designed to produce radiused (curved) corners on the tibial bone block instead of sharp edges. The guide's geometry directs the cutting tool to create a rounded transition at the corners of the resected surface, which improves bone stability and reduces stress concentration while maintaining efficient resection through the guided process.
Data Source
AI summary
Tibial resection systems and methods for use in a uni- or bi-cruciate retaining knee replacement procedure are disclosed. A tibial resection system can include a tibial block, an alignment guide, and a tibial implant template. The tibial block can be coupled to an anterior side of a tibia and longitudinally extend from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The alignment guide can be coupled to the proximal end portion of the tibial block and can include one or more drill guides and a drill guide adjustment mechanism. The tibial implant template can be engaged with the drill guide adjustment mechanism, such that rotational movement of the tibial implant template can adjust an axial direction of the one or more drill guides. An outer profile of the tibial implant template can be selected to substantially match an outer profile of a tibial prosthesis to be implanted.