The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is crucial for knee joint stability; its rupture can lead to loss of function and significantly impact daily life. Dr. Hsien-Tsung Lu and his team at Taipei Medical University Hospital have developed a technique using "toggle-ring with digital simulation surgical guide plates" to reconstruct the ACL, overcoming traditional surgical challenges and greatly improving surgical success rates.
Traditional surgeries are fraught with difficulties, particularly in tunnel misalignment
Key steps in ACL reconstruction include creating bone tunnels and securing grafts. Traditionally, manual drilling is used for bone tunnel creation, but variations in surgeon experience can lead to inaccuracies or tunnel overlap, causing graft loosening and knee instability. Additionally, graft fixation traditionally involves cortical bone hooks, where excessive force during tightening can injure fingers or inadequately secure the graft.
Precise guidance with 3D-printed plates and effortless tightening with toggle rings
To address these issues, Dr. Lu's team proposes:
1) Precision-guided bone tunnel creation using 3D-printed surgical guide plates: Utilizing digital DICOM CT data from patients to create 3D-printed surgical guide plates, ensuring precise tunnel angles and positions to prevent tunnel overlap and enhance surgical safety.
2) Invention of toggle rings for easy graft fixation: Consisting of two components, toggle rings securely fasten cortical bone hooks within bone tunnels. Leveraging a lever mechanism, surgeons can effortlessly tighten cortical bone hooks, significantly increasing graft fixation strength.
Significant clinical benefits with over 650 cases performed
The toggle-ring ACL technique has been used in over 650 ACL reconstruction surgeries, demonstrating simplified procedures where surgeons can tighten ligaments without pain in the hands to bring all the strength of ligaments without the loosening. Clinical outcomes show a remarkable 98% success rate, with patients experiencing excellent knee joint functionality post-surgery, greatly enhancing their quality of life. The product is currently undergoing IRB research and in discussions with manufacturers for commercialization, alongside medical device validation and establishment of GMP and QMS certifications.
Combining 3D printing with medical device development opens new avenues for precision healthcare
Dr. Lu emphasizes that this technology's success represents an innovative integration of 3D printing and medical device development, laying the foundation for precision medicine. Moving forward, the team remains committed to advancing new technologies to enhance the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatments, delivering superior medical care to patients.
Resource (mandarin) :
《新創動態》膝關節手術 最怕骨隧道錯位移植物鬆脫！ 3D列印與子母環導板精準牽引，提高成功率！
