Ideation Process
Project Initiation
Project name: Development of Depth Gage Instrument for Orthopedic Surgery
Project timeline: Due April 22nd, 2008
Project team: Brian Cost, Justin Johnson, Tyler Kibbee
Innovation Situation Questionnaire
Brief description of the situation
Current depth gages are inadequate for orthopedic surgeons to use in the operating room.
Our goal is to develop an improved depth gage that is easier to use and more accurate.
This device creates a competitive advantage for OrthoHelix to offer new depth gage
exclusively for their products.
Detailed description of the situation
Existing depth gage instruments for small bone orthopedics typically have a small hook
on the end that is passed into a drilled hole. The hook is passed through the hole and
engaged with the outer surface of the far cortex, thereby allowing a measurement of the
depth. There are several challenges with the current depth gages. The far surface
Supersystem - System - Subsystems
Input - Process – Output
Input – Existing depth gage, concept ideas from company, surgeon feedback from
Medical Advisory Board
Process – Create several depth gage concepts and get feedback from MAB. Model
designs in 3D software and use to create Stereolithographs (SLAs) and functional
prototype.
Output – Contract prototype manufacturing out to independent company to obtain
tangible finished product.
Cause - Problem – Effect
Cause – Current depth gage is unable to engage the far cortex of bone surface which
prohibits accurate depth measurement.
Problem – Inadequate measurements can lead to tissue irritation, failure of product inside
bone and patient discomfort.
Effect – Allow surgeons to insert correctly sized screws thereby minimizing patient
discomfort and post-operative complications.
Past - Present – Future
Past – Current depth gage is unable to engage the far cortex of bone surface which
prohibits accurate depth measurement.
Present – Need for improved device is looming on the market. It has been OrthoHelix
who has taken the initiative to try to meet the market needs.
Resources, constraints and limitations
Available resources
Knowledge – Medical Advisory Board, OrthoHelix R&D files, Internet
Funding – Sponsored by OrthoHelix. All costs associated with prototypes and materials
included.
Allowable changes to the system
Changes to the project can be made at our own discretion. The company helped orient us
in the right direction for our project, but they are hoping that we use our
Constraints and limitations
Our biggest constraint is our time frame. If we want to be able to have this project
complete for production, it may be unrealistic to be done by April 22nd, 2008.
Criteria for selecting solution concepts
The device that is the most functional and is approved by the company and MAB will be
used to create a prototype. Their selection criteria may vary from ours, but that is their
decision to make.
Problem Formulation and Brainstorming
Depth Gage Diagram 1
Surgeon controls
depth gage
Surgeon
measures with
current depth
gage
Correct screw size
selections
Successful implant
No post-op
required
Inaccurate depth
gage
measurements
Hole
measurements
using our device
Surgeon has
difficulty engaging
far cortex
Incorrect screw
size selecttions
Patient discomfort
Post-op correction
required
12/6/2007 2:04:15 PM.
Find an alternative way to obtain Surgeon controls depth gage that provides or
enhances Surgeon measures with current depth gage.
Find a way to eliminate, reduce, or prevent Inaccurate depth gage measurements in
order to avoid Incorrect screw size selecttions under the conditions of Surgeon has
difficulty engaging far cortex.
Resolve the contradiction: The harmful Surgeon has difficulty engaging far cortex
should provides Hole measurements using our device and avoids Inaccurate depth
gage measurements.
Find an alternative way to obtain Hole measurements using our device that offers
the following: provides or enhances Correct screw size selections does not require
Surgeon has difficulty engaging far cortex.
Find a way to eliminate, reduce, or prevent Incorrect screw size selecttions in order
to avoid Patient discomfort under the conditions of Inaccurate depth gage
measurements.
Resolve the contradiction: The useful Surgeon measures with current depth gage
should produce useful result and avoids Surgeon has difficulty engaging far cortex.
12/6/2007 2:03:27 PM.
Find an alternative way to obtain Hole measurements using our device that offers
the following: provides or enhances Correct screw size selections does not require
Surgeon has difficulty engaging far cortex.
Develop Concepts
Under Development. Check back soon!
Evaluate Results
Under Development. Check back soon!