Modular Acetabular Cage Assembly for Adjustable Flange Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current acetabular prostheses face challenges in matching patient anatomy due to fixed flange orientations, requiring surgeons to force alignment, and the need for separate left and right cages, limiting surgical flexibility and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

An acetabular cage design with separate superior and inferior flanges, allowing for variable orientation and assembly with an acetabular cup using apex fasteners, and optional perforations for partial use, enabling intraoperative adjustments and rigid attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixed flange orientations are used in acetabular cages, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to patient anatomy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecage manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidflange orientation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The acetabular cage is divided into separate superior and inferior flange components that can be independently oriented and assembled, allowing each flange to be customized to match patient anatomy while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage design allows for dynamic adjustment of flange orientations during surgery through modular assembly with apex fasteners, enabling surgeons to adapt the implant configuration to match the specific anatomical requirements of each patient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If separate left and right acetabular cages are provided, then anatomical precision is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical matching precisionVSAvoidcage variety and inventory

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal acetabular cage design with modular superior and inferior flanges can be configured for both left and right hip applications, eliminating the need for separate left and right-specific cages while maintaining anatomical precision through adjustable flange orientations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the inferior flange is removed to simplify the cage structure, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure simplicityVSAvoidcage structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cage design allows surgeons to use only the superior flange when anatomical conditions permit, simplifying the procedure, while retaining the option to add the inferior flange when additional structural support is needed, providing flexibility without compromising stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4275658B1Acetabular apparatuses for hip revision surgery

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SMITH & NEPHEW INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

Prostheses, acetabular apparatuses, and methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, an acetabular apparatus includes an acetabular cup and an acetabular cage disposed within an interior of the acetabular cup. The acetabular cage may include a central portion including a first section and a second section rotatably coupled together, and a first flange extending from the first section and a second flange extending from the second section. The acetabular prosthesis may further include a fastener extending through each of the acetabular cup and the central portion of the acetabular cage.