Laser Guided Ankle Positioning for Total Ankle Anthroplasty

Project goal: To design and construct an alignment guide that for use in preliminary positioning and fixation of a surgical resection guide during total ankle arthroplasty procedures. Alignment of the resection guide to the mechanical axis of the patient’s leg is crucial to proper bone removal for the implantation of an ankle prosthesis. Incorrect placement and malalignment of an ankle prosthesis can lead to severe complications in postoperative ambulation due to improper load bearing of the joint. This device has been developed to be more accurate and less invasive than other products currently available. The mechanical alignment guide system consists of several custom-designed parts making up many common mechanical systems, such as a modified rack and pinion, hinge joint, and slider. Alignment of the system is completed about six degrees of freedom with tolerances of 2 mm and 2 degrees of three anatomical axes. A compact, easy-to-use design capable of withstanding multiple forms of sterilization has been implemented and proper use of the alignment guide is detailed in a surgical technique to be used by physicians.