V-Drill Guide for UCL Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instruments lack precision and ease in forming sockets and tunnels for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, complicating the repair process and graft passage during elbow reconstruction surgeries.

Innovation Solution

The development of specialized surgical instruments such as V-drill guides, offset guides, and suturelassos that allow for precise formation of tunnels and sockets in the humerus and ulna, facilitating easy graft and suture passage, accommodating various UCL reconstruction techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional surgical instruments are used for UCL reconstruction, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the precision in forming sockets and tunnels is insufficient and the graft passage is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision in forming sockets and tunnelsVSAvoidease of graft passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical instrument is divided into multiple functional components: a guide portion for precise positioning, a drill portion for creating tunnels, and a suture/graft passage mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both precision in tunnel formation and ease of graft passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate structures such as guides and reamers that mediate between the surgeon's actions and the final graft placement. These intermediaries ensure precise tunnel formation while facilitating smooth graft passage through the created channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized instrumentation is developed for precise socket and tunnel formation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision in forming sockets and tunnelsVSAvoidcomplexity of surgical instrumentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (guiding, drilling, reaming, and graft passage) are merged into a single integrated instrument or coordinated instrument set. This reduces the number of separate tools needed while maintaining precision in socket and tunnel formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical instrumentation is designed with universal features that can accommodate different UCL reconstruction techniques and patient anatomies. The guides and drill bits can be adjusted or selected for various tunnel configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9138246B2Elbow reconstruction instruments and techniques

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

Techniques and instrumentation for elbow reconstruction, specifically, for repairs of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The instrumentation provides for precise formation of sockets and tunnels along with easy suture/graft passage while accommodating all forms of elbow UCL reconstruction techniques. A V-drill guide is provided with a handle and two drill sleeves having intersecting trajectories for creating an intersecting V-shaped bone tunnel in the ulna. An adjustable humeral guide has an adjustable arm with an arc shape, and a peg and a block extending from each end of the adjustable arm. The peg is shaped to fit within an already-formed humeral socket. The block allows a drill to pass through and form other tunnels which intersect with the originally-formed tunnel at various positions.