Tibial Resection Guide with Dual Rotating Feelers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tibial resection guide devices are not capable of providing precise and reliable kinematic alignment with the patient's native joint line, leading to unassisted and uncontrolled orientation of the cutting plane, which may require subsequent corrections and bone sacrifice.
Innovation Solution
A guide device with a guide jig and two feelers that can rotate and translate independently, allowing for direct alignment with the patient's native joint line by contacting specific points on the tibial plateau, enabling assisted and controlled orientation of the cutting plane along medial-lateral and anteroposterior axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If known guide devices are used for tibial resection, then alignment with the mechanical axis of the tibia is achieved, but precise and reliable kinematic alignment with the patient's native joint line cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic adaptation between mechanical axis alignment and kinematic alignment modes. The device can be reconfigured based on the patient's specific anatomical variations, enabling transition from fixed alignment protocols to patient-specific kinematic alignment while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device enables change in alignment parameters by providing multiple reference systems and adjustable cutting guides. Surgeons can modify the orientation parameters (varus/valgus angle, slope angle) to match the patient's native joint line, transforming the device from a fixed mechanical axis aligner to an adaptive kinematic alignment tool.
2Device complexity
If known guide devices force unassisted and uncontrolled orientation of the cutting plane, then device simplicity is maintained, but subsequent corrections and bone sacrifice are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device introduces intermediary reference elements (such as reference blades, alignment pins, or indicator markers) that mediate between the surgeon's visual estimation and the actual cutting plane orientation. These intermediaries provide tactile and visual feedback to ensure the cutting plane is correctly oriented relative to the native joint line, eliminating the need for unassisted orientation while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
3Device complexity
If visual comparison method is used for alignment, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of alignment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device replaces the purely visual comparison method with a mechanical guidance system. Physical reference surfaces, alignment pins, and guided cutting slots provide mechanical constraints that enforce precise alignment with the native joint line. This substitution eliminates reliance on surgeon visual estimation while keeping the device structure relatively simple through the use of straightforward mechanical elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a guide device (10) for tibial resection comprising a guide jig (32) having a slot (39) for a surgical saw, a first feeler (11) provided for coming into contact with a point of a tibial plateau (100) and a second feeler (12) provided for coming into contact with a point of a tibial plateau (100). The first feeler (11) and the second feeler (12) can be rotated with respect to one another and to the guide jig (32) around the same rotation axis (X) and the first feeler (11) can be translated with respect to the second feeler (12) and to the guide jig (32) along a first sliding direction (S1) contained within a first sliding plane (P1). The second feeler (12) can be translated with respect to the first feeler (11) and with respect to the guide jig (32) along a second sliding direction (S2) contained in a second sliding plane (P2) parallel to the first sliding plane (P1).