Anatomically Guided Trochlear Groove Instrumentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patellofemoral joint replacement systems lack anatomically guided instrumentation for precise bone preparation and implantation, leading to inconsistent results and poor fit of asymmetric implants, which affects implant stability and natural knee kinematics.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a prosthesis with angled protrusions and annuli for secure bone contact, along with templates and guides for accurate alignment and resection, ensuring proper patellar tracking and implant sizing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If free-hand instruments (rongeur, osteotome, rasp, saw, burr) are used for bone removal in the trochlear groove region, then the surgeon has flexibility in handling, but precision and repeatability of results deteriorate due to reliance on surgeon skill alone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgeon handling flexibilityVSAvoidbone preparation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anatomically-based guiding instruments and templates as intermediaries between the surgeon and the bone preparation process. These guides provide predetermined anatomical references that mediate the interaction between surgical tools and the trochlear groove, ensuring precise bone removal while maintaining surgeon control through the guiding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-establishing anatomical references and guiding structures before bone removal begins. The guiding instruments are positioned and secured to the femur first, creating a predetermined framework that directs subsequent bone preparation, thereby ensuring precision before the actual cutting and shaping occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If asymmetric implant designs with limited sizing options are used, then implant selection is simplified, but anatomical fit deteriorates resulting in poor patellar tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant selection simplicityVSAvoidanatomical fit precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing asymmetric implant designs that match the specific asymmetric anatomy of each patient's trochlear groove. Rather than using uniform symmetric implants, the solution offers locally-adapted implant geometries with varying sizes and shapes that conform to individual anatomical variations, improving patellar tracking while maintaining a manageable selection set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by offering implants with varying dimensional parameters (size, curvature, asymmetry degree) to match different anatomical configurations. This allows precise anatomical fitting through parameter selection rather than through complex custom manufacturing, balancing fit precision with device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If guided formation of bone and proper implant selection are implemented, then implant stability and patellar tracking improve, but device complexity and procedure time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidinstrumentation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the instrumentation into modular components: guiding templates, reference instruments, measurement tools, and implant selection guides. Each module performs a specific function in the bone preparation and implant selection process, allowing systematic implementation that improves reliability while managing complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If guided formation of bone and proper implant selection are implemented, then implant stability and patellar tracking improve, but procedure duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces procedure time by performing preliminary actions outside the operating room. Anatomical measurements, implant selection, and guide template customization are completed beforehand, allowing the actual surgical procedure to focus only on execution. This shifts time investment to pre-operative planning, reducing intraoperative duration while maintaining high implant stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9795397B2Anatomically guided instrumentation for trochlear groove replacement

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A system for replacing a trochlear groove region of a femur. The system includes a prosthesis that includes a bone contact surface and a periphery that defines an outer perimeter. The bone contact surface has a plurality of protrusions and a spatial configuration with respect to one another. Additionally, the system includes a first template that has a plurality of guide holes and a first periphery that defines an outer perimeter that substantially corresponds with the periphery of the prosthesis. Also, included in the system is a second template that has a plurality of guide holes and a second periphery that defines an outer perimeter that substantially corresponds with the periphery of the prosthesis. The plurality of guide holes of the second template are spatially arranged with respect to the second periphery to substantially match the spatial configuration of the plurality of protrusions of the prosthesis.